Edema (cont.)
Are diuretics used for other purposes?
Diuretics have several other uses in addition treating edema.
- A diuretic may be used as part of the treatment program for patients with hypertension.
(High blood pressure may be caused by salt retention, or caused by some
antihypertensive medications). In fact, most medications that dilate the blood vessels and reduce blood pressure, except for ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, lead to secondary salt retention by the kidneys.
- Thiazide diuretics also have been used to prevent the formation of
kidney stones. These drugs reduce the urinary excretion of calcium, which is a component of the kidney stone.
- Acetazolamide (Diamox) taken a few days before going to high altitudes, appears to reduce the tendency for people to develop
altitude sickness.
Edema At A Glance
- Edema is a swelling, usually of the legs, due to the
accumulation of excessive fluid in the tissues.
- The edema that occurs in diseases of the heart, liver,
and kidneys is mainly caused by salt retention, which holds the excess fluid
in the body.
- In certain liver and kidney diseases, low levels of
albumin in the blood can contribute to fluid retention.
- Heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and a kidney
disease called nephrotic syndrome are the most common systemic diseases that
cause edema.
- Excess fluid that accumulates in the lungs is called
pulmonary edema.
- Excess fluid that accumulates in the abdominal cavity
is called ascites.
- Edema of unknown cause occurs primarily in women.
- Varicose veins or thrombophlebitis (a blood clot in an
inflamed vein) of the deep veins in the legs causes edema that is localized to
the legs.
- Therapy for edema consists of treating the underlying conditions, restricting salt intake, and often using diuretics (medicines to induce urination).
Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal
Medicine, McGraw-Hill, edited by Eugene Braunwald, et. al.,
2001
Previous contributing authors and editors:
Medical Author: Mark Scott Noah, MD
Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, MD, PhD Last Editorial Review: 3/21/2008
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