Specialist Doctors Provide Expert Medical Opinion On What Swollen Feet Tell You About Your Heart.

Your feet may be swollen for a variety of reasons, but if it is due to congestive heart failure (CHF), it is called pretibial edema. It occurs when your heart is unable to pump enough blood into your kidneys, resulting in fluid retention. The best way to find out if this is the cause of your swollen feet is to visit your doctor. They can check your kidney function and perform an ultrasound of your heart. If you have CHF, you will probably be given medication to help improve your blood flow and prevent fluid buildup. In severe cases, you may need surgery to insert a device that helps your heart pump blood or have a heart transplant.

There are many different causes of swelling of the feet and ankles, but one possible cause is heart failure. When the heart is not pumping blood properly, fluid can build up. This can cause swelling, pain, and discomfort. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to diagnose or diagnose any underlying medical condition.

Medical Opinion 2

Swelling of the feet is a common symptom of heart failure. When the heart is pumping properly, fluid can accumulate at the edges. This fluid retention can cause swelling, pain and discomfort in the feet. In severe cases, fluid may accumulate in the lungs, causing respiration. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor immediately to see if your heart is healthy. There are a few other conditions that can cause swelling in the feet, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor.

If your feet are swollen, it can be a sign that your heart is not pumping blood properly. This condition is called congestive heart failure, which means your heart cannot adapt to your body's needs. Excess fluid in your feet is the result of your body's efforts to compensate for the decreased blood flow.

In addition to a swelling of the feet, other symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and swelling of the ankle. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult a physician so that he or she can diagnose other possible causes and diagnose your condition. Once you have been diagnosed, there are treatments available that can help improve your quality. If you have swelling in your feet, it is called peripheral edema. Although edema can be caused by a number of factors — including prolonged standing, pregnancy, and medication — it may also be a sign of a problem under your heart.

If you have peripheral edema, it means your heart is not pumping blood the right way. When this happens, blood can clot in your edges, causing the tissues to swell. Peripheral edema is usually a symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF), which occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. To understand how your feet can give you insight in your heart, you first need to know a little about how the circulatory system works. The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood to your body. Your heart pumps blood and as blood circulates it carries oxygen and nutrients to all the cells in your body.

Medical Opinion 3

The arteries in your feet are part of this great circulatory system and help restore blood to your heart. Because of this, any nerve problems in your feet can be an indication of problems with your entire circulatory system - including your heart. That is why swollen feet can be a warning sign of heart disease. If your feet are swollen, it may be a sign that your heart is not pumping blood properly. This is called congestive heart failure, and can occur for a variety of reasons, including coronary artery disease, valve problems, or abnormal heart rhythm. If you have other symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath or fatigue, you should see a doctor immediately. In the meantime, try to lift your feet and legs to help reduce swelling.

Medical Opinion 4

Swollen feet can show many different things in your heart, depending on the cause. If you have swollen feet due to fluid retention, it may be a sign that your heart is not pumping blood properly and is causing congestion in the arteries leading to your extremities. This may be a sign of strong heart failure. Another possibility is that you have inflammation or infection in your foot that interferes with blood flow and causes inflammation. If you have other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat, you should seek medical attention immediately as this may be a sign of serious problems with your heart. There are a few different things that can cause swollen feet, and one of them is heart failure. If the heart does not pump blood properly, it can cause fluid to accumulate in the lower extremities. This can cause swelling, pain, and even sores. If you have swollen feet and have trouble breathing, fatigue, or chest pain, it is important to see a doctor immediately as these can be signs of heart failure. There are other causes of foot inflammation besides heart failure, such as pregnancy or obesity / obesity.

There are a few things that swollen feet can tell you about your heart. Another is that you may have severe heart failure, which means your heart is not pumping blood properly and fluid is supporting your legs. This can cause your feet to swell.

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Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Kids: Recognizing, Preventing & Overcoming “Hidden Hunger”

Every parent wants their child to grow up healthy — tall, strong, smart, and full of energy. But in India, many kids suffer from what is known as “hidden hunger.” It means that even though they are eating, their diet lacks essential nutrients. These nutritional deficiencies can affect growth, learning, immunity, and long-term health. In this blog, we’ll explore the major nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids, what causes them, how to detect them, and what parents can do. Let’s dive into nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids.

What Are the Most Common Nutritional Deficiencies?

Based on recent research and national surveys, the following are among the most widespread deficiencies in Indian children:

Iron Deficiency / Anaemia
A large percentage of Indian kids (especially under-5s) have low hemoglobin and low iron stores. Anaemia can cause tiredness, slow cognitive development, and lowered immunity. Lippincott Journals+2PMC+2
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A is essential for good vision, immunity, and healthy cells. Many children under 5 show sub-clinical deficiency; some show clinical signs like night blindness. Lippincott Journals+1
Iodine Deficiency
Iodine is critical for thyroid hormone production, which affects brain development. Lack of iodine can lead to goitre, delayed mental development, and poor school performance. Lippincott Journals+2thyrocare.com+2
Vitamin D Deficiency
Even though India is sunny, many children have low vitamin D — due to indoor living, limited sun exposure, skin coverage, or dietary gaps. This impacts bone health, growth, and risks rickets. PMC+1
Protein-Energy Malnutrition (PEM)
In poorer or marginalized communities, children may not get enough protein or calories. This leads to underweight, wasting, stunting, and weakened immunity. Lippincott Journals+2HDFC ERGO+2
Other Micronutrients (Vitamin B12, folate, zinc etc.)
Deficiencies in B12 & folate can affect cell division, blood production, nerve function; zinc deficiency weakens immunity & slows growth. PMC+2nanhedil.com+2

Why Do These Deficiencies Happen?

Understanding the causes helps in prevention:

Dietary Factors
Many diets are heavy in cereals or starches but low in diversity. Meals may lack fruits, vegetables, animal-source foods (meat, eggs, fish) or fortified products.
Bioavailability of Nutrients
Even when foods contain nutrients, they may not be absorbed well. For example, plant-based iron is less readily absorbed, phytates in grains and legumes can reduce absorption.
Socioeconomic Constraints
Poverty, food insecurity, access issues, lack of awareness, and sometimes traditional/cultural food beliefs limit access to nutrient-rich foods.
Living Conditions and Health
Frequent infections, parasitic infestations, poor hygiene, etc., can increase nutrient loss or demand. Also sunlight exposure (important for vitamin D) is inadequate in many cases.
Gaps in Implementation of Prevention Programs
Though India has multiple programs (fortification, supplement distribution, ICDS, National Nutrition Mission etc.), challenges remain in reach, compliance, quality, and behavioural change.

Effects of Nutritional Deficiencies

These deficiencies have short-term and long-term effects:

Growth stunting (children don’t reach their full height potential)
Wasting (low weight for height), underweight
Impaired cognitive development & learning difficulties
Weak immune system ? more infections
Delayed motor skills, poor school performance
Bone deformities (rickets, weak bones)
Poor quality of life; in severe cases, increased mortality

How to Detect & Diagnose Early

Taking action early helps avoid permanent harm. Key strategies include:

Regular growth monitoring: Checking weight, height, BMI for age
Look for signs: Pale skin or lips, tiredness, delayed milestones, frequent illness, bone pain or deformities (knees bowing, wrist/ankle enlargement)
Lab tests:
- Haemoglobin & complete blood count
- Serum ferritin for iron stores
- Serum levels for vitamin A (retinol)
- 25-OH vitamin D test
- Serum B12, folate
- Urinary iodine excretion or salt iodine test
- Protein / albumin levels

Using broad vitamin profiles (like those from Thyrocare) can help screen for multiple deficiencies in one go.

Foods, Diet & Prevention: What Parents / Caregivers Can Do

Here are practical steps parents can take:

Diversify diet: Include pulses, legumes, eggs, dairy, meat (if non-vegetarian), fish; plenty of green leafy vegetables & fruits.
Fortified foods: Use iodised salt; choose cereals / milk products fortified with vitamins & iron.
Sunlight exposure: Encourage outdoor activities; even short daily sun exposure (face, arms) helps vitamin D.
Supplementation when needed: Under doctor guidance, provide vitamin A doses, iron/folic acid, vitamin D etc., especially in high-risk children.
Hygiene & health care: Prevent worm infections, diarrhoea etc. which can drain nutrients. Ensure vaccinations.
Education & awareness: Teach families importance of nutrition, balanced meals, what local foods can provide what nutrients.

What Parents Should Ask Healthcare Providers

Ask whether your child needs screening for deficiencies (e.g., iron, vitamin A, D, B12).
If lab tests are suggested, check whether it’s comprehensive or narrow, cost, and follow-up.
Seek help for dietary planning, perhaps from nutritionists or public health bodies.
Learn about local government/NGO programs—free or subsidized supplementation or fortified food programs.

When to Seek Medical Help

If your child has:

Persistent anaemia symptoms (very pale, lethargic)
Growth issues (falling off growth charts)
Bone deformities or pain
Severe or recurrent infections
Unusual signs like night blindness, goitre

Then get a medical evaluation. Early intervention can make a big difference.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Nutritional deficiencies in Indian kids are common—but many are preventable or treatable. By recognizing risks, ensuring good diet, doing appropriate lab tests, and using supplements or fortified foods when needed, children can grow healthier, smarter, and stronger.

If you’re concerned that your child may have one or more of these deficiencies, talk to a trusted pediatrician or nutritionist, and consider getting a comprehensive vitamin & nutrition profile done (for example through Thyrocare or SecondMedic) to know exactly where improvements are needed. Don’t wait—every child deserves a strong foundation.

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