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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Stage 4 Lung Cancer, Low Sodium And Potassium, Low BP. What Are The Signs Of Person's System Shutting Down?

Hi - I have a family member who was has been battling stage 4 lung cancer the past 3 years. She is now experiencing very low sodium (109). She's in intensive care and her potassium is also low. Other family members are asking me if they should hurry into town. I think she looks better today than yesterday. Her blood pressure is low too. Question: what are the signs that a person's system is shutting down and they are nearing the end of life?
Sat, 19 Oct 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello there!
stage 4 bronchogenic carcinoma is a mortal condition with average life after diagnosis of 7 to 8 months with 5 year survival rate of less than 30 percent.

now as you ask what are the signs of systems shut down so the answer depends on which system you are talknig about. lets discuss some

1. low potassium can arrhythmias in heart and a person can have a heart failure
2. low sodium will disturb hemostasis and a person will have hyponatremia leading to its effects
3. kidney failure sign is urine out put will be decresed and will be less than 0.5 ml per kg per hour so for an average 70 kg man it would be less than 35 ml.
4. for a shutting brain will be stroke,
5. for lungs it will be hunger for breath, bluish discoloration, restlessness etc
6. for liver it would be bleeding tendencies, portal hypertension, spleenomegaly leading to rupture, encephalopathies etc

so its a multi organ failure thing all going on

normally a dying person Gasps and is disoriented drowsy etc. extremities get cold, persons heart beat pulse gets unmeasurable etc.

hope i was of help

Regards
Dr Shafi Ulllah klhan
My Patient Is My Family
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Stage 4 Lung Cancer, Low Sodium And Potassium, Low BP. What Are The Signs Of Person's System Shutting Down?

Hello there! stage 4 bronchogenic carcinoma is a mortal condition with average life after diagnosis of 7 to 8 months with 5 year survival rate of less than 30 percent. now as you ask what are the signs of systems shut down so the answer depends on which system you are talknig about. lets discuss some 1. low potassium can arrhythmias in heart and a person can have a heart failure 2. low sodium will disturb hemostasis and a person will have hyponatremia leading to its effects 3. kidney failure sign is urine out put will be decresed and will be less than 0.5 ml per kg per hour so for an average 70 kg man it would be less than 35 ml. 4. for a shutting brain will be stroke, 5. for lungs it will be hunger for breath, bluish discoloration, restlessness etc 6. for liver it would be bleeding tendencies, portal hypertension, spleenomegaly leading to rupture, encephalopathies etc so its a multi organ failure thing all going on normally a dying person Gasps and is disoriented drowsy etc. extremities get cold, persons heart beat pulse gets unmeasurable etc. hope i was of help Regards Dr Shafi Ulllah klhan My Patient Is My Family