My husband is a recovering alcoholic. After his many years of alcohol abuse and almost dieing a couple of times he is doing better. However, now he has had bleeding gums, edema and bleeding under his skin on the lower part of his legs. Also, he is easily hurt and bruised and often gets cuts on his hands and legs.. It's as if he has thin skin, plus he gets frequent nose bleeds. He is due to go back to the doctor soon, but I am wondering what info I might find here. He had the red legs and edema at his last doctor visit and the doc said the redness is from aging (he's 50), but the other problems are new. I am wondering if he may have some cellular damage from all of the years of drinking. Does anyone have any information or knowledge about this?
2006-06-18 17:08:33 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
Severe liver damage and vitamin and mineral deficiency caused by the drinking I am afraid.
You need to support the liver with some herbs and get him onto some larger doses of vitamins and minerals.
If you would like some help then please go here
http://www.craighitchenstherapies.com and I will create a program for you.
Hope this helps.
Craig - Naturopath.
2006-06-18 17:16:59 · answer #1 · answered by hitchboy20002000 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I am a nurse and have seen this before in alcoholics and I don't think it is good. There could be so many things going on from severe liver disease to clotting factor compromise but it certainly sounds like he is under a doctors care. I am assuming that your husband is not on any blood-thinning medications because you sound intelligent enough to have already thought about that. Either way it really is serious. He is only 50 and I think you may want to rethink you doctors competency. Your lower legs do not turn red from "aging." Insist on answers. It is not easy being a wife of an alcoholic, I hope he is worth the effort you are putting forth taking care of him. He needs to see a doctor tomorrow, go to the ER and take a chance on getting a new doctor (who ever is the "doctor of the day") if you are not pleased with your present doctor. I would not wait. Take care.
2006-06-18 17:22:10 · answer #2 · answered by K.J. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The edema and bruising are indicative of liver and/or kidney problems. The bleeding gums may or may not be related, but is a sign of gingivitis or gum disease. These symptoms need to be discussed with your doctor. There are tests which will pinpoint the problem so treatment can be started.
2006-06-18 17:19:52 · answer #3 · answered by themainsail 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmmm.. well it sounds like a liver problem... YOU MOST make sure to go to an hepatologist... The bleeding tendency (gums, easy bruising) could be from an coagulation factor that the liver produces. The edema could be from the low production of proteins made from the liver. The reddens (and some time you can see "spider nevus"), because of the vasodilatation.
PLEASE CONSULT AN ESPECIALIST
2006-06-18 17:29:47 · answer #4 · answered by La cuestion es... 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only person remotely qualified to answer this is a doctor and then only if he SEES your husband. Call a doctor and make an appointment. Do not be intimitated out of a second or even third opinion.
2006-06-18 17:43:24 · answer #5 · answered by Paula P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like liver function problems, those symptoms are all related to cirrhosis of the liver and or hepatitis. There are several problems he may have such as alcoholic or fatty liver or alcoholic hepatitis. He may need a liver biopsy to check the level of liver damage.
Some of it sounds like vitamin deficiency as well. As the liver deteriorates it has trouble processing nutrients as well.
http://www.liverfoundation.org/cgi-bin/dbs/articles.cgi?db=articles&uid=default&ID=1022&view_records=1
http://www.liverfoundation.org/images/articles/1059/cirrhosis.pdf
Here is a great website with lots of information.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cirrhosis.html
I would have him start taking vitamins and milk thistle. Very little Iron (and other metals)and fat disolved vitamins. No vitamin A beyond his food intake.
If you would like more links and info later you can email me.
2006-06-18 17:26:19 · answer #6 · answered by periwinkle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body
Call your doctor right away if:
You have decreased urine output.
You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen.
Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.
You have a fever.
2006-06-18 17:42:54 · answer #7 · answered by bettyboop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that he definitely could have liver damage from his years of drinking, and it sounds like his body is trying to tell him something. If your doctor will not listen to his symptoms and do something about it, then I say it is time to find a new doctor!
2006-06-18 17:12:49 · answer #8 · answered by southernlisa37 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only person who can diagnose him with anything is his Doctor, but they may want to look into hemophelia, which is a problem with clotting that causes severe bruising and bleeding.
2006-06-18 17:14:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He needs to check with his doctor. He could have serious liver problems IF it is alcohol related. What you describe is beyond my experience, so I think perhaps he needs to keep a journal, take photographs, and bring those to his doctor.
2006-06-18 17:12:34 · answer #10 · answered by cyanne2ak 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋