Causes of Edema

Medical Conditions That Cause Edema

Below is a list of medical conditions that cause or are involved with edema:

Causes of Edema:

Premenstrual syndrome
Pregnancy
Heart failure
Kidney conditions
Glomerulonephritis
Nephrotic syndrome
Kidney failureLiver condition
Cirrhosis of the liver
Varicose veins
Lymphedema - see also causes of Lymphedema
Filariasis
Protein deficiency (type of Nutritional deficiency)
Thyroid condition
Certain medications

Edema as a complication:

Other conditions that might have Edema as a complication might be potential underlying causes of Edema. The list of conditions listing Edema as a complication in our database includes:

Aortic coarctation
Cor pulmonale
Exfoliative dermatitis
Hodgkin's Disease
Pericarditis

Edema as a symptom:

Conditions listing Edema as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Edema. The list of conditions listing Edema as a symptom in our database includes:

Acute rheumatic fever
Anaphylaxis Aortic coarctation
Cardiomyopathy
Chronic kidney failure
Cirrhosis of the liver
Common migraine
EclampsiaEdema
Glomerular Disease
Glomerulonephritis
Goodpasture syndrome
Hemolytic disease of the newborn
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Hepatitis
Hodgkin's Disease
Liver cancer
Nephritis
Nephrotic syndrome
Polyarteritis nodosa
Preeclampsia
Premenstrual syndrome
Primary biliary cirrhosis
Pulmonary valve stenosis
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Rheumatic fever
Trichinosis
Vitamin E deficiency

Acknowledgement and Credit:

Wrong Diagnosis.com

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Edema Fluid Overload

See Also
Leg Edema

Definition
A. Abnormal interstitial fluid accumulation

Pathophysiology

A. Localized Edema
1. Loss of vascular integrity
a. Changes in capillary hemodynamics
2. Increase in tissue oncotic pressure
a. Increased interstitial protein concentration
3. Increase in hydrostatic pressure
a. Norepinephrine results in renal vasoconstriction
b. Renin results in sodium absorption
c. Aldosterone results in water retention
B. Generalized edema
1. Implies >3 Liters interstitial fluid accumulation
2. Sodium and water retention
a. Kidney senses decreased perfusion
b. Kidney senses decreased circulating volume

Causes
A. Categories of Edema
1. Localized Edema Causes
2. Generalized Edema Above the Diaphragm
Generalized Edema Below the Diaphragm
B. Miscellaneous Edema Types
1. Medication Causes of Edema
2. Exercise edema
3. Idiopathic Edema
4. High Altitude Edema (Facial and lower limb edema)
5. Tropical Edema
6. Periodic edema

Symptoms

A. Unexplained weight gain
B. Ring tightness
C. Shoe tightness
D. Facial swelling or puffiness
E. Swollen arms or legs
F. Abdominal distention

Signs

A. See Edema evaluation
B. Palpable swelling of skin or subcutaneous tissue
1.Pitting edema
2.Non-Pitting edema (Brawny edema)

Radiology

A. Chest XRay
1. Evaluate for Congestive Heart Failure
B. Lower Extremity Doppler Ultrasound
2. Evaluate for Deep Vein Thrombosis

Labs

A. Renal Function test
1. Serum Creatinine
2. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
B. Serum Albumin
C. Liver Function Test
D. Urinalysis
E. Urine test for thiazides or Phenolphthalein
1. Confirms diuretic abuse or Laxative abuse

Family Practice Notebook - Edema