What Causes Swelling In The Upper Leg And Labored Breathing?

Posted on Wed, 28 Dec 2016

Question: 65 year old woman, is very swollen from her knees up to her waist. Her breathing is very labored and she is in pain. She saw her cardiologist and he told her to take her fluid pills and bp pill. Yes, she Is a smoker. Uneducated. Yesterday, she asked me to find someone that could help her. I really don't know what to do. Her oxygen level is around 85 percent resting and drops to 75 percent when speaking. She is very concerned and in pain. She said that it felt like something was pushing on her lungs. I am a friend of hers and help her when I can. Thank you for your help.

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please, find the detailed answer below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Your patient needs extensive and careful medical evaluation, probably there is a need for hospitalization, as you describe decompensated condition. If she has low blood oxygen levels as you describe, she needs to have oxygen at home. There is a need to restrict fluid and salt intake. I would advise you to talk once more with his doctor to see if there is a need for for hospitalization or making the treatment more extensive and have oxygen at home.

Take care

Come back if you have any further questions

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar