Recently, many people have asked me if edema is necessarily a kidney disease.
Let me give you a detailed introduction here.
Edema, as the name suggests, is the residual of more water in the body, and this water is hidden in the interstices of the tissues.
The dangers of edema?
The dangers of edema should not be underestimated.
Because excessive fluid accumulation in these tissue spaces increases the distance between tissue cells and capillaries, oxygen and nutrient transport time is prolonged, resulting in edema sites that are prone to tissue damage, ulceration and are not easy to heal.
If the edema phenomenon persists for a long time, edema can lead to corresponding organ dysfunction, which may cause a variety of complications and, in severe cases, life-threatening.
What conditions cause edema?
A: Kidney edema
Edema occurs initially in the area of loose tissue, symmetrically on both sides, such as the eyelids or face, ankles, obvious in the morning, and may involve the lower limbs and the entire body in severe cases.
Symptoms:
1.Most often start with swelling of the eyelids and feet, which will be sunken when pressed.
2.It develops rapidly and may be accompanied by fluid retention in the chest and abdomen.
3.These patients may also have high blood pressure and decreased urine output, with high creatinine and non-dissolving foamy urine.
B: Cardiac-induced edema
In heart failure, the return of venous blood to the heart is impaired, intravascular pressure increases, and water leaks into extravascular tissue spaces, causing edema.
Symptoms:
1.Swelling begins in the flaccid areas, such as the feet and lower limbs, which may be depressed by pressure.
2.It may be accompanied by fluid retention in the chest and abdomen, but it develops slowly.
3.Ultrasound examination of these patients may also reveal an enlarged heart and liver, and in some cases there is significant breathlessness.
C: Liver-induced edema
In cirrhosis, patients may also develop edema and even large amounts of ascites due to decreased protein synthesis by the liver and increased portal pressure.
Symptoms:
1.First, you will find that the feet begin to swell, followed by the lower limbs and even the scrotum, which will swell and sink when pressed, and then the stomach becomes larger and there is a lot of water in it, also accompanied by fluid in the chest, but it develops slowly.
2.A close look at the palms of the patient will reveal redness in the palms, even with blood, like small spiders.
3.Purple and blue blood vessels of different sizes like earthworms will be found in the abdomen. Blood test will find abnormal liver function and albumin index.
D: Endocrine Edema
Edema can also occur in certain endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism.
Symptoms:
1.There is marked swelling, especially of the lower legs and orbits, but rarely tenderness to pressure. There is no pleural effusion or ascites.
2.Progresses slowly. However, the patient in this category is afraid of cold, unresponsive, will have constipation or diarrhea, and will sweat easily.
3.Thyroid function test will be abnormal.
E: Edema due to malnutrition
Depletion due to chronic illness or chronic nutritional deficiencies can lead to a severe drop in plasma protein levels or vitamin B1 deficiency and edema.
Symptoms:
1.It begins with swelling in the feet, which are tender to pressure, and is also accompanied by fluid retention in the chest and abdomen, which develops slowly.
2.There is marked emaciation and weight loss. Blood tests often show a decrease in albumin and anemia.
Therefore, edema is not necessarily caused by kidney disease, and kidney disease does not always cause edema.
If you have symmetrical eyelid and lower limb edema, you can first go to the nephrology department, and the routine urine test can be used to determine whether there is kidney disease or not, and then do further examination and treatment.
Different edema treatment options are different, so if you find similar symptoms, you should go to the regular hospital immediately to avoid delays.