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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Swelling In Feet Post Pneumonia Recovery In An Elderly Person

77yr old male had pneumonia bad in hospital gets home is much better on HCTZ for B/P but his feet are swollen bad after sitting in chair at table, or driving, his feet has swelled like this ever since they never had before thats the only meds he takes
Thu, 24 Dec 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
Leg swelling is common when we stand for long time and especially at the end of a busy day. If the swelling is only on one side this is something that has to do with a problem locally and needs a quick attention, especially ultrasound, to rule out deep vein thrombosis.
If the swelling is in both feet than you will need to have a heart ultrasound and creatinine levels in blood and probably if the rest come out normal you will need to check liver function.
Some blood pressure medications might cause leg swelling but you did not mention to have been taking other medications other than HCTZ which does not generally cause swelling.
Your doctor might choose to prescribe some diuretics, other than HCTZ, like lasix or spironolactone to help with edema.
Even though the swelling you have might be transitory and not serious you will need to have a doctor visit and find the cause of it and have the needed examinations and proper treatment.
I wish this is helpful and answers to your question.
I find this answer helpful
General & Family Physician Dr. Ashakiran S's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Swelling of the feet in an elderly person could be due to variations in blood pressure or dysfunction of the heart in its pumping action. It could be also due to dilation of veins in the legs called as 'varicose veins' or protein deficiency.
Kindly get the following things checked so that appropriate condition causing it could be identified and treated accordingly:
1. Check the blood pressure.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG).
3. 2 D Echocardiogram and Colour Doppler.
4. X-ray chest - PA view.

To decrease the swelling, he needs to take diuretic drugs like Spironolactone on consultation with Physician.
In case cardiac function is normal, then it could be due to dilation of veins.
For this you need to be examined clinically by consulting the Surgeon.
To see for protein deficiency, kindly get his blood checked for Serum Total Protein, Serum Albumin and Albumin/Globulin ratio. If it is decreased, then he needs to be supplemented with protein rich diet and protein supplements.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
I find this answer helpful
General & Family Physician Dr. Ashakiran S's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
Swelling of the feet in an elderly person could be due to variations in blood pressure or dysfunction of the heart in its pumping action. It could be also due to dilation of veins in the legs called as 'varicose veins' or protein deficiency.
Kindly get the following things checked so that appropriate condition causing it could be identified and treated accordingly:
1. Check the blood pressure.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG).
3. 2 D Echocardiogram and Colour Doppler.
4. X-ray chest - PA view.
In case cardiac function is normal, then it could be due to dilation of veins. For this you need to be examined clinically by consulting the Surgeon.
To see for protein deficiency, kindly get his blood checked for Serum Total Protein, Serum Albumin and Albumin/Globulin ratio. If it is decreased, then he needs to be supplemented with protein rich diet and protein supplements.
Hope the information provided would be helpful.
All the best.
I find this answer helpful

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Suggest Remedy For Swelling In Feet Post Pneumonia Recovery In An Elderly Person

Hello, Thank you for asking at HCM. Leg swelling is common when we stand for long time and especially at the end of a busy day. If the swelling is only on one side this is something that has to do with a problem locally and needs a quick attention, especially ultrasound, to rule out deep vein thrombosis. If the swelling is in both feet than you will need to have a heart ultrasound and creatinine levels in blood and probably if the rest come out normal you will need to check liver function. Some blood pressure medications might cause leg swelling but you did not mention to have been taking other medications other than HCTZ which does not generally cause swelling. Your doctor might choose to prescribe some diuretics, other than HCTZ, like lasix or spironolactone to help with edema. Even though the swelling you have might be transitory and not serious you will need to have a doctor visit and find the cause of it and have the needed examinations and proper treatment. I wish this is helpful and answers to your question.