Hello,My name is Jenny, I am 35 years old.  I am with my grandmother who is 88 years old.  She had a stroke almost 2 years old.  She reecently became ill this past week.  Her symptoms were: swollen belly, wheezing, iron build up, very fatigue, along with a few other things.  The hospital sent her home with more medication.  She seems to be getting worse and we are not sure on what to do.  Please help!!  Give us some guidance on what to do.  It would be greatly appreciated!
Hello Jenny ! The age group of your grandmother demands prompt and detailed investigations on her swollen belly. You have not mentioned whether she is ambulatory or bedridden post stroke. In bedridden patients, we have to exclude fecal impaction, which may give rise to abdominal swelling. Wheezing is due to her respiratory infection/allergy which needs to be taken care of by a medicine specialist. Apart from this, you have to think of a chronic urinary tract infection in non-ambulatory patients, which has to be taken care of. If the above are excluded, then consult a medical specialist, who may advise her for a complete evaluation of her kidney function, liver function and cardio vascular status all of which may give rise to swollen belly and the last one can give rise to weeping as well. She may also need an ultrasound abdomen to exclude accumulation of fluid in the belly/or any space occupying lesion. So, without any delay take her to a specialist clinic for clinical evaluation and treatment. We all wish her an early recovery.