What Causes Swelling Throughout The Body And Painful Breathing?

Posted on Wed, 4 May 2016

Question: thank you, I am 62 yo without insurance so I have to go to the clinic. all of my bllodwork cam back normal but my entire body is swollen and has been for 3 week. I cannot lay down to sleep because it hurts to breath. I don't know what to do

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Congestive heart failure

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Normal blood work up rules out involvement of kidneys as a cause of this body swelling. However history of diuretic use and inability to sleep due to shortness of breath also called orthopnea all suggest of a failing heart and my suspicion is congestive heart failure.

You should get an echo done, ecg and chest radiographs and serum protein levels to sort out the likely cause of this body swelling and get managed accordingly.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan

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

Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (6 days later)

I went to the clinic again today because the lasixs' weren't working as well as we thought. The Dr. looked at the size of my scrotum because is was so enlarged. This time he told me I needed to go to the hospital. I have been swollen for a month and because of the size of my scrotum the Dr. now says I need to go to the hospital. Why would he wait so long and what is the size of my scrotum indicative of? I will go to the hospital but I don't understand. Maybe you can help me.

Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Scrotal swelling needs work up

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

Scrotal swelling could be a sequela of generalised body swelling or a separate entity. Scrotal hernia ( indirect inguinal hernia ) , hydrocele etc are the possibilities. it needs scrotal ultrasound and transillumination test to sort out the possibilities. Let your doctor do the work up and help you out. Delaying it is not wise by your doctor but as it is an elective procedure and not a medical or surgical emergency that might be the reason your doctor had in mind and gave you a time frame and wait.

Lets hope for the best. The symptoms of early question suggest heart failure, this symptom of scrotal swelling could be a connection or a separate entity and only work up will tell.

I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan

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