$Unique_ID{BRK03695}
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$Title{Edema, Idiopathic}
$Subject{Edema, Idiopathic Cyclic Edema Distress Edema Periodic Edema Periodic
Swelling Stress Edema Angioedema Chronic Interstitial Nephritis}
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Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

634:
Edema, Idiopathic

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of this article (Idiopathic Edema) is
not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYM list to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     Cyclic Edema
     Distress Edema
     Periodic Edema
     Periodic Swelling
     Stress Edema

Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:

     Angioedema
     Chronic Interstitial Nephritis

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section
of this report.

Idiopathic Edema is a common disorder that occurs almost exclusively in
women.  It is characterized by salt retention in the absence of heart,
kidney, or liver disease.  The swelling (edema) may be episodic or
persistent.  Swelling of the face, hands, and feet develops rapidly,
frequently accompanied by headache, irritability, and depression.  Weight
gain also occurs.

Symptoms

Idiopathic Edema is characterized by swelling (edema) that may occur
occasionally or chronically.  It seems to affect women almost exclusively.
The swelling develops rapidly and usually affects the face, hands, and feet.
The abdomen may also be bloated.  Fatigue, irritability, depression, tension,
and headache usually also occur.  The course of the disorder is often related
to the menstrual cycle.  Some patients can gain as much as 10 to 12 lbs.
during a 24-hour period, accompanied by a decrease in urine output.  Patients
seem to have an exaggerated response to standing for long periods of time,
resulting in significant pitting edema of their lower extremities.

Causes

The exact cause of Idiopathic Edema is not known.  The disorder may be caused
by an imbalance of hormones such as estrogens and progesterone.  The
aldosterone response to upright posture plays a role in sodium and water
retention in people with this disorder.

Affected Population

Idiopathic Edema affects young to middle-aged females almost exclusively.

Related Disorders

Angioedema is a widespread swelling of tissue under the skin.  It occurs as
an allergic reaction following either the injection of certain drugs, or
insect stings or bites.  Eating certain foods to which the individual is
allergic, such as eggs, shellfish, nuts, or fruit, may cause a similar
reaction.  The swelling usually affects the back of the hands and feet, the
eyelids, lips, genital area, and mucous membranes.  Swelling of the trachea
and bronchial passages may produce breathing difficulty.  (For more
information, use "Angioedema" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database.)

Chronic Interstitial Nephritis is a kidney disorder usually caused by
prolonged consumption of pain medications (e.g., phenacetin).  It is
characterized by breathing difficulty, headache, indigestion (dyspepsia),
diarrhea and passage of large quantities of light-colored urine.

Therapies:  Standard

When Idiopathic Edema persists, carefully measured use of the drugs captopril
or spironolactone may restore the proper aldosterone response to the upright
posture, and thus reverse the edema.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through April
1989.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Idiopathic Edema, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
     Box NDDIC
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 468-6344

References

LONG-TERM FUROSEMIDE TREATMENT IN IDIOPATHIC EDEMA:  M. Shichiri, et al.;
Arch Intern Med (November 1984:  issue 144(11)).  Pp. 2161-2164.

IDIOPATHIC EDEMA IN A MALE:  I. Weinberger, et al.; American Journal Med
Sci (July-August 1984:  issue 288(1)).  Pp. 27-31.

THERAPEUTIC RESPONSE OF IDIOPATHIC EDEMA TO CAPTOPRIL:  D. Docci, et al.;
Nephron (1983:  issue 34(3)).  Pp. 198-200.