Dr. Sagar Ramesh Makode
Cardiology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
Answered by
Medically reviewed by
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am a 67-year-old male. I weigh about 77 kg. I am on no medications except for Aspirin 80 mg approximately 8 times for a week for occasional back pain and as a prophylactic.
I have no known medical issues. I have lower back pain at times mild to severe for short durations. Massage therapy has helped in the past and I did one chiropractor adjustment 18 months ago.
I also have had kidney stones in the past a decade ago. It required hospitalization and pain medicines and no surgery required. Current symptoms are pain in the lower back and right kidney area. It started about 10 days ago accompanied by slight swelling in the lower right foot. I thought it may be a kidney issue at first but the pain subsided and was more in line with normal back pain.
My concern is, I am still experiencing swelling in both feet, more pronounced at night. As a former emergency medical technician, I am aware that edema in the legs or feet may be symptomatic of underlying issues and was wondering if I did need to make a doctor’s visit. What specialist would be most appropriate and if I could have any lab work preformed prior to streamlining the process during this pandemic?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Swelling in both limbs is usually related to either kidneys or heart. Rarer causes are like varicose veins which would be evident externally. But the swelling does not mean that there will be some serious issues with these organs. Simply with age, the heart becomes stiff and the capacity of kidneys to excrete salt and water goes down. Either of these two is the common cause of such swelling. However, we want to sure and rule out the possibility of diseases in these two organs.
Another possible cause is pain killers like NSAIDs (for example, Aspirin in higher doses 500 mg, Diclofenac, Ibuprofen or Aceclofenac) can cause swelling which usually settles in a week or two. So you should be subjected to renal function tests, liver function tests, echo (obviously with an ECG).
To treat this, you should elevate your limbs using pillows at night. You will probably need diuretics like Torsemide to remove excessive body fluid. So you should plan a visit to a nearby doctor.
I hope this helps.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I have done some elevation at night but will make a more concerted effort. And look at scheduling some times in the near future for the lab work if this condition persists.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Let us see how it goes. Keep in touch for further doubts.
Was this conversation helpful?
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
Cardiology
Related Questions
I have kidney stones. Is it dangerous to have creatinine level of 1.6?
Swollen Legs and Ankles - Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
I have low back pain and frequent urination after sex. Why?
I have severe low back pain with fatigue and leg pain. Are the symptoms related to arthritis?
What are the causes of swollen ankles and legs?
How to Prevent Kidney Stones?
Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. iCliniq privacy policy
