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Are Edemas On The Ankle And Foot Dangerous?
Question: My mom is 91. She has one kidney. She has CHF. Occasional edema in both legs, then she will watch salt alot and it will go down... In last 2 weeks, left is swollen edema at ankle and foot... Right foot ok.. Has gained 3 pounds... Shes niw taking lasix for 3 days ... I would like to know if having edema in one ankle and foot is odd?? Right one is ok... Would you go ahead and finish lasix and then see?? Color of foot is ok.. .. Warm...its just unusual to have only one with edema
Brief Answer:
Unilateral limb edema is quite possible in CHF patients.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to let you know that limb edema is one of the most classical signs of congestive heart failure.
Usually it is bilateral pitting edema, affecting the declive parts of the lower limbs (foot, ankle).
But, it may be also abviously unilateral, or more predominant in one extremity.
This is especially true, when there are some predisposing factors for unilateral declive fluid accumulation, such as prolonged imobilisations, the elderly, traumatic conditions, chronic disability, chronic diseases, prolonged bed regimens, presence of concomitant veins insufficiency, etc.
Coming to this point, I recommend considering a new review of her heart failure maintainance therapy, especially optimizing diuretics regimen.
Medical tests as follows:
- cardiac ultrasound,
- chest X ray study,
- renal function tests (BUN, creatinine),
- liver function tests,
- blood electrolytes level,
- plasma protein level
are necessary for concluding the most appropriate ongoing CHF therapy (especially diuretics, etc).
Probably an uninterrupted chronic diuretic strategy will be necessary for minimizing such congestion symptomatology.
A balanced diet and fluid intake, considering careful attention to daily salt amounts are also important.
I recommend discussing with her attending doctor on the above mentioned issues and fing the most effective future management strategy.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of further uncertainties, do not hesitate to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Unilateral limb edema is quite possible in CHF patients.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would like to let you know that limb edema is one of the most classical signs of congestive heart failure.
Usually it is bilateral pitting edema, affecting the declive parts of the lower limbs (foot, ankle).
But, it may be also abviously unilateral, or more predominant in one extremity.
This is especially true, when there are some predisposing factors for unilateral declive fluid accumulation, such as prolonged imobilisations, the elderly, traumatic conditions, chronic disability, chronic diseases, prolonged bed regimens, presence of concomitant veins insufficiency, etc.
Coming to this point, I recommend considering a new review of her heart failure maintainance therapy, especially optimizing diuretics regimen.
Medical tests as follows:
- cardiac ultrasound,
- chest X ray study,
- renal function tests (BUN, creatinine),
- liver function tests,
- blood electrolytes level,
- plasma protein level
are necessary for concluding the most appropriate ongoing CHF therapy (especially diuretics, etc).
Probably an uninterrupted chronic diuretic strategy will be necessary for minimizing such congestion symptomatology.
A balanced diet and fluid intake, considering careful attention to daily salt amounts are also important.
I recommend discussing with her attending doctor on the above mentioned issues and fing the most effective future management strategy.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of further uncertainties, do not hesitate to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr she has 1 kidney and is 5 ft tall.. 112 lbs...her creatinine was 1.9 last week and BUN was 46... She runs high on BUN and creat is usually 1.7...otherwise ok... She has been prescribed lasix for 3 days...
Brief Answer:
Chronic diuretic therapy is advisable.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Yes! I know she has 1 kidney, as we have discussed previously on HCM.
The fact she has an overall decreased renal function (creatinine around 1.7-1.9 mg/dl) is another factor to seriously consider a stable chronic diuretic regimen.
Medical tests, I recommended above are necessary to precisely define the necessary daily diuretic dosage.
Please, let me know on the results of the available tests, after they are done.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Chronic diuretic therapy is advisable.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Yes! I know she has 1 kidney, as we have discussed previously on HCM.
The fact she has an overall decreased renal function (creatinine around 1.7-1.9 mg/dl) is another factor to seriously consider a stable chronic diuretic regimen.
Medical tests, I recommended above are necessary to precisely define the necessary daily diuretic dosage.
Please, let me know on the results of the available tests, after they are done.
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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