Leg swelling?

Question

i found this article that summarized the cause of leg swelling
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003104.htm
but still not answering my mother problem(60yrs).
I'm quite worry with statements of "Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure". But early this year she went to cardiologist , and dr early investigation said everything is fine. Few months back, her lab checking found nothing harm after checking her urine. And last year, she went for medical checkup that did not find anything about her liver.

Due to hypertension, she consumed 10mg of norvacs which according to the article may cause swelling leg as well.
Her swelling leg will come on and off. But definitely will have it for long journey trip.

Now, I am confused since i bring her to few dr's and none of them point out the cause neither give specific receipts for this.
I am not sure about water pills is, and what's its side effect, and if it possibly could help her?
Please help

Answer 1

If you take water pills you need to replace the potassium. bananas are a good source but the best is in vitamin form. She should keep h legs up, eat low sodium foods and drinks, drink lots of water.

Answer 2

PLEASE, do NOT, under any circumstances give her water pills! They are dangerous and, even though they work at times, mask the underlying problem. Your mom could be retaining water or she might have poor circulation and/or phlebitis which can cause blood clots. The swelling she experiences are not necessarily related to her heart at all. There are many reasons for swelling and it's best that her primary physician is alerted to this and the frequency of the swelling. Long journeys, especially by airplane cause many, many peoples legs to swell and so does sitting in a car for a long time or any mode of transportation that puts you in a seated legs down position. Conversely standing all day can do the same thing. Her age shouldn't be a great factor unless there is something major going on which, from your description and her testing results do not seem to be the case. Ask your mom to speak to her primary physician and see if he'll refer her to a vein specialist. They can perform ultrasound testing right in the office which will tell them if the blood is flowing properly or not. Please ask her to elevate her legs as often as possible when sitting. While lying in bed if she can elevate them above her torso (heart) by propping them up on pillows from the knee down, it will alleviate the condition to some degree. Make some notes on how often they swell, if they are painful to the touch and what time of day this begins so you can give the doctor a heads up. Good luck!

Answer 3

my doctor had to change my hypertension medicine because I was swelling so much. especially when i was in the car driving. I take water pills and potassium supplements. my doctor also said drink plenty of fluids. With water he also suggested that a little salt although not alot can be helpful in reducing the swelling. Since I have started doing this and taking time in my journies to stop and walk some before traveling on my swelling has been reduced considerably. maybe this will work for your mother. best of luck.

Answer 4

definately get her a 64 slice ct scan of the heart.
If she didn't have that done the cadiologist can't know for sure.!

http://www.theplc.net/CTAngiography.shtml?gclid=CJau5-Gfno4CFQ8bgQodQShPSw

Make sure she is drinking enough. Elevate her legs when she is resting. Ask the dos about support hose.
Get second, third or 4th opinions.

Answer 5

Your mom needs the water pill. I have HBP, too, and a water pill helps me substantially.

TX Mom
not an expert

Answer 6

if she is on high blood presure meds they could cause it.she prb needs water pills to keep the fluid off.and eat no salt.
however im no doctor .check with him or her

Answer 7

Ice bath might help?