leg edema
Patient was instructed on leg edema. The body needs the right amount of blood flow to keep the heart pumping, the legs moving and the brain functioning. Blood circulation, the movement of blood throughout the body, is clearly crucial to the existence, and poor leg circulation can cause many problems, such as leg edema or leg swelling.
Patient was instructed on leg edema. Swollen feet and legs, referred to medically as leg edema, occur when fluid is retained in the spaces between body cells. As leg edema typically affects the feet, ankles and lower legs, but can also impact any areas of the body, causing systemic symptoms.
Patient was instructed on symptoms of leg edema. If having leg edema feet and legs will initially appear swollen as the day progresses. After a period of time, however, the swelling will set in first thing in the morning and worsen throughout the day. Over time other symptoms will develop: High blood pressure, headaches, increased urination, palpitations, swollen hands and/or wrists, puffy eyes, weight gain.
Patient was instructed on relieving and preventing leg edema. The first line of defense is: leg elevation. Elevate legs above the level of the heart which puts minimal pressure on the back of the knees and thighs and lower back. Other help to decrease swelling is limiting salt intake, drink plenty of water, avoid sitting with the feet dependent. Do not abuse diuretics and laxatives.
SN Instructed on measures to detect and alleviate edema: Gently compress the soft tissue with your thumb over both shins for a few minutes and observe for indentation. If indention is noted, edema is present. Notify SN or Md if there is a deep indention. Reduce sodium (Na) in diet and exercise as tolerated to help reduce edema.
Patient was instructed on what cause leg edema. It can be caused by a serious condition of the kidney, heart, liver or blood vessels, but many other factors can contribute to its onset, including: abusing drugs, sodium retention, varicose veins and history of phlebitis, allergic reactions, neuromuscular disorders, trauma.
Instructed patient in lifestyle and home remedies that may help decrease edema and keep it from coming back. Before trying any self-care techniques, talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. Ask your doctor about exercises you can do that may reduce swelling. Patient verbalized understanding.
Instructed patient in lifestyle and home remedies that may help decrease edema and keep it from coming back. Before trying any self-care techniques, talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you. Compression, if one of your limbs is affected by edema, your doctor may recommend you wear compression stockings, sleeves or gloves, usually worn after your swelling has gone down, to prevent further swelling from occurring. These garments keep pressure on your limbs to prevent fluid from collecting in the tissue. Patient verbalized understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver on measures to relieve legs edema : elevate legs above the level of your heart several times a day. In some cases, elevating legs while you sleep may be helpful; reduce salt intake, salt can increase fluid retention and worsen edema; moving and using the legs muscles, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart.
Instructed in new medication Cozaar and in S/E such as dizziness, asthenia, fatigue, headache, insomnia, edema, chest pain, nasal congestion, sinusitis, pharyngitis, sinus disorder, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, dyspepsia, muscle cramps, myalgia, back or leg pain, cough, upper respiratory infection, angioedema, asthenia, fatigue, fever, hypesthesia, chest pain, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, sinusitis, cataract, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastritis, urinary tract infection, anemia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, weight gain, back pain, leg or knee pain, muscle weakness, cough, bronchitis, cellulites and others.