I have a friend on dialysis, he s complaining of swelling and hardness to lower abdomen and edema of lower extremities. He was dialised this morning and earlier this week after having spent a month in a long term care hospital for an infection. what could it be?
Hi. Thanks for your query and concern for your friend. Your friend is on dialysis and was admitted in the long-term care for infection. The swelling and the hardness in the lower abdomen can be due to the following reasons:-Intestinal infection with peritonitis and adhesions to cause such an appearance as the hardness is very rare symptom or sign to be seen.-There can be a mass or cancer in the lower abdomen. I would advise your friend the following on an urgent basis:Ultrasonography CT scan of the abdomenColonoscopyClinical evaluation by a General Surgeon. All these things will help to get a proper diagnosis and considering the present medical problem that is needing the dialysis further treatment can be planned with the combined approach of the Nephrologist, Surgical Specialist and allied staff and Specialists. This is going to be really tricky situation.