Idiopathic Edema of Women - An Overview.

What Is Edema?

Edema is a term used to describe swelling. This swelling can be localized, caused by trauma or inflammation, or generalized due to medications or pregnancy.

What Are the Different Types of Edema?

Depending upon the cause of edema, various types are as follows:

• Peripheral edema.

• Pedal edema.

• Lymphedema.

• Pulmonary edema.

• Cerebral edema.

• Macular edema.

• Idiopathic edema.

What Is Idiopathic Edema?

Edema in medicine means fluid retention, and idiopathic means unknown cause; therefore, idiopathic edema is a term used to describe fluid retention in the body without any known cause, medical condition, or underlying pathology. This condition is most commonly observed among females, thus called idiopathic edema of females or edema of women. This is followed mainly during the middle years, and the condition can worsen with aging. In terms of severity, the condition is mild but can be troublesome due to difficulty in diagnosis.

What Are the Causes of Idiopathic Edema in Women?

The exact cause of edema remains unknown; hence the name of the condition. Some of the possible reasons are listed below:

• The physiological cause is mainly due to fluid leaking from the small blood vessels into the tissue due to unknown reasons.

• Salt retention is considered a possible reason.

• Medications.

• Pregnancy.

• Infections

Can a Low Level of Potassium Result in Edema?

Reduced levels of potassium can result in swelling of the legs and feet. Reduced levels of potassium can affect other muscles as well, along with the muscles of arms and legs This can result in weakness and cramping.

What Are the Symptoms of Idiopathic Edema in Women?

Some of the common symptoms of edema include:

Swelling of feet, hands, abdomen, breast, and face that worsens at the end of the day and early in the morning; posture does affect edema. The swelling aggravates standing for long hours, exertion, or sitting with legs floating for a long duration. A feeling of weight gain is another symptom of edema. People with edema weigh more in the evenings than during the day.

How Is Idiopathic Edema in Women Diagnosed?

Clinical examination and ruling out other medical conditions confirm the diagnosis; one of the most common methods used to diagnose idiopathic edema is the weight check test.

It is a simple procedure where a patient is asked to weigh themselves in the morning and evening before having any meal or any liquids; the diagnosis is confirmed if any alteration in weight is greater than 0.7 kg.

Water Load Test:

Another diagnostic test evaluates the volume of urine. It is called the water load test. To carry out this test, a patient is asked to consume 20 ml/kg body weight of normal water over 20 minutes in the morning; urine samples are collected at different intervals and monitored. The first sample is collected an hour before water consumption, and the other samples are collected at one-hour intervals for the next four hours after the water load.

The sample collection is done for two consecutive days by repeating the same procedure; the position in which the patient has to remain for four hours varies. Each day, the samples are collected in an upright and recumbent position. For example, the patient with idiopathic edema would have an excretion volume of less than 55 % of the water load when analyzed in an upright position and more than 65 % in the recumbent position. The volume percent analysis concludes the diagnosis.

What Are the Treatment Options Available for Idiopathic Edema in Women?

Any definitive treatment has not been documented so far, as idiopathic edema is a difficult condition to deal with and has minimal chances of cure; the treatment options available treat the condition symptomatically and avoid the progress of the condition.

Following are some standard measures to follow to lead a better life:

• Avoid Prolonged Standing: Standing for prolonged hours causes fluid to accumulate in the lower extremities and cause edema; therefore, prolonged standing should be avoided whenever possible. Professional demands make it difficult, especially for those in the profession, which requires standing for long hours. Such professionals can use tights or stockings, which makes the condition a bit favorable. These stockings are available on prescription these days; choosing the size that fits you makes the use more comfortable.

• Weight Loss: A gradual weight loss is recommended in obese patients as weight control has proved beneficial in most cases; weight loss is encouraged to be done healthily by exercising and having a healthy diet rather than fasting or binging.

• Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications: Individuals with idiopathic edema are advised to consume a healthy diet and avoid eating anything that can cause fluid retention.

• Salt restrictions: Avoiding sodium in the diet is one of the most effective ways to control edema, as sodium tends to retain water in the body. To control the sodium in the diet, avoiding processed foods is also recommended, as they contain a large amount of salt.

• Potassium-Rich Diet: It is advised that potassium-rich foods be included in the routine diet as they reduce the salt levels in the body and improve edema. Potassium must be consumed naturally, like fruits and vegetables; potassium supplements should be avoided. Fruits that contain potassium are bananas and tomatoes.

• Diuretics: These are also called water pills, the drugs of choice in other forms of edema. However, these medications are not recommended in patients with idiopathic edema as they can worsen the condition, and the mechanism of these medications can alter the salt-water balance in the body. Diuretics involve different classes of drugs, and only a few are advisable in cases with idiopathic edema; thus, physicians must be consulted before taking any over-the-counter medication.

Conclusion:

Idiopathic edema is an unknown cause; this condition is also not associated with any underlying medical condition like hypertension or diabetes mellitus. It is most commonly seen in females and worsens with age. The patient normally presents with arms, face, legs, and abdomen swelling, which worsens in the evening; water load and weight tests are used to diagnose the condition and differentiate it from other types of edema. The condition does not have a definitive treatment and is maintained through lifestyle and dietary modifications. Therefore, patients with idiopathic edema are advised to avoid salt and processed food.