Kidney Edema: Symptoms and Treatment

The human body consists of 70% water, 2/3 of which is contained within the cells, 1/3 - in the intercellular space. It is there that the water of the kidney is sent, if something goes wrong in their work. Accumulating, liquid entails swelling of this organ, which, if untreated, can result in irreversible consequences.

Renal edema: symptoms

Determine the dangerous for the body can be by the puffiness of the face, bags under the eyes, swelling of the extremities - external signs, which in some cases may not manifest. An increase in body weight without visible pathologies also indicates a possible presence of edema of the kidneys.

The main symptoms of renal edema:

• Pain sensations of varying degrees of intensity, resulting from acute inflammatory processes caused by infection, obstruction of the ureter, movement of stones. The pains are localized under the lower ribs, in the lower back, can be given to the groin or leg, accompanied by tingling and vomiting. Often after renal colic during the day, there is swelling - a later symptom indicating a malfunction of the body.
• Violation of urination. The daily norm of the volume of urine of an adult person is about 1.5 liters per day or 3/4 of the amount of liquid consumed. The decrease in this indicator is due to the water retention in the body caused by the inflammatory processes present in it.
• Neurological manifestations due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. The latter in the absence of filtration should be excreted in the urine, and if they stay inside, they accumulate and irritate the nerve tissues, causing sleep disturbance, drowsiness, headaches and muscle pains, skin itching.

Renal edema in a latent form can be detected by the use of diuretics. If there is a weight loss for a day, due to the withdrawn liquid, it will be 1-2 kg.

Symptoms of kidney edema

Renal edema, the symptoms and treatment of which depend on the causes that caused it, can develop in one day. The main feature of this condition is the "mobility", in which, depending on the change in the position of the body, the puffiness gradually descends: first, the face swells, then the trunk and hands, then there is an increase in the size of the hips, calves, feet. Another distinctive feature of edema of the kidneys is the rapid increase in its size. Renal nature of the edema is confirmed by its symmetry.

One should be able to distinguish renal edema from cardiac ones. The latter appear first on the legs, and the edema of the kidneys begin their movement from the facial area.

Renal edema of the legs are observed in severe renal failure and nephritic syndrome, characterized by the same severity in both extremities.

The causes of edema of the kidneys

The causes of renal edema are:

• A reduced presence of protein in the blood, caused by a violation of its formation, or a consequence of loss during urination;
• Increased amount of sodium ions in the blood; Can be caused by increased intake (for example, in the form of table salt) into the body and gradual accumulation;
• Excessive amount of fluid in the body; A person drinks a large amount of water, which, not having time to be released naturally, accumulates in the tissues, than forms an edema;
• Enhanced vascular permeability, facilitating the release of particles of blood and fluid into the intercellular space.

What causes the appearance of edema of the kidneys

Of diseases that can activate the aforementioned mechanisms that cause the onset of renal edema, pathology negatively affecting the glomeruli in the kidneys is of key importance. Due to the ongoing inflammatory process, the proliferating connective tissue, the filtration process, which is manifested by fluid retention and water-electrolyte imbalance, is inhibited or completely stops. In some painful conditions, the opposite happens: the filtration intensifies, and substances that must be in the blood enter the intercellular space.

Renal edema can be caused by:

• Glomerulonephritis;
• Poisoning with heavy metals;
• Amyloidosis of the kidneys;
• Systemic connective tissue diseases;
• Neoplastic processes;
• Renal and heart failure;
• Changes in blood composition;
• Vascular diseases;
• Infectious processes;
• Diseases of the lymphatic and urinary system;
• Side effect of drugs.

Depending on the main pathology, renal edema, photos of which can show varying degrees of severity, localization, persistence, are characterized by pallor of the skin in edematous places, and dry skin. When nephritis - a disease that has an inflammatory nature, puffiness is pronounced and can disappear on its own, without therapeutic measures.

Formation of renal edema

Renal edema is formed during sleep, when the body's activity slows down, and excess fluid does not go away with urine. First, the area under the eyes becomes edematous, and then the same state passes to the rest of the body. Brighter than all symptoms appear in the morning, by the end of the day are decreasing. Therefore, if there is a swelling of the legs in the evening, this is likely to be caused by varicose veins or a violation of the heart.

Diagnosis of renal edema

If there is a suspicion of renal edema, it is recommended that you consult a physician and take the following tests:

• Laboratory examination of blood and urine;
• X-ray examination of the urinary canals and kidneys,
• Magnetic resonance diagnostics and computed tomography of the kidneys ;
• Ultrasound dopplerography, aimed at detecting a violation of blood flow in the kidneys;
• Nephroscintigraphy, analyzing the functional abilities of the organ under investigation and probable thrombosis.

Renal edema: treatment

To treat renal edema, the doctor prescribes diuretics that stimulate the excretion of fluid from the body: Spironolactone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Oxodoline, Triamteren, Mannitol, Furosemide. You should know that:

• Treatment should be performed against a background of constant monitoring of the amount of urine, blood pressure, electrolyte level;
• In case of urgent need, drugs can be administered intravenously;
• Self-medication is strictly prohibited because of the high probability of complications.

Long-term use of such drugs can have side effects, therefore, in parallel, the patient is recommended to take "Asparcum" or "Panangin", supporting the work of the heart and preventing the removal of potassium from the body.

Treatment of the underlying illness directly depends on the diagnosis and is aimed at eliminating its cause, which caused the failure of the kidneys. When the natural filtration rate is restored, the puffiness begins to gradually disappear. In kidney diseases, if there are acute infectious processes, treatment is done with antibiotics. In autoimmune diseases: rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus - the doctor prescribes glucocorticoids and cytostatics. To strengthen the walls of blood vessels is effective "Ascorutin", the course of treatment which is from 2 to 4 weeks. Regulation of the water-electrolyte balance in the blood is performed with the help of intravenous infusions and droppers.

From excess sodium and preventing the increase in blood volume with a decreasing or unchanged amount of protein, a special salt-free diet is used, which also limits the intake of any liquid in the body. Necessarily in the diet should include vegetables, fish, lean meat, boiled breast, containing a sufficient amount of protein. With the correct approach to the treatment of the disease, which caused a fluid retention in the body, edema of the kidneys disappear first.

Almost always acute forms of diseases are accompanied by edema of the kidneys, and the rapid disappearance of the latter creates the illusion of recovery. The absence of external symptoms can lead to unauthorized cessation of treatment and cause the occurrence of relapses of the disease or their transition to a chronic condition.

In pregnancy

Very dangerous kidney swelling during pregnancy. They are difficult to identify, because during the period of gestation the swelling of the hands, legs, and face is quite common. The body's need for fluids increases, and the woman in an interesting position with the approach to childbirth is more and more hungry. Along the way, the body accumulates sodium retention water.

Most often, during pregnancy, legs swell: it becomes extremely difficult to wear shoes, an ankle appears on the ankle from the elastic band of socks. If by morning such a state of anxiety remains, and at the same time there are kidney swelling on the face with the presence of bags under the eyes and swelling of the hands, it is necessary to visit your doctor. Excessive weight gain (above 0.3 kg per week) should also be a serious cause for concern.

Traditional methods of treatment

In some cases, kidney edema can be treated with folk methods, namely herbal medicines, which help to remove excess fluid from the body.

Effective use of the collection of leaves of cranberries, crushed juniper fruit, birch buds, bearberry leaves, taken in the same proportion. A tablespoon of the finished collection should be poured with boiling water and boil over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Filter. Drink 2 tablespoons. Spoons 4-5 times a day.

From renal edema will help rid tea from the leaves of dandelion, which has a diuretic effect and restores the body's stores of potassium. Drink 3 times a day for 1 glass.

Recipes of traditional medicine in the treatment of renal edema is recommended to be used only with the permission of the attending physician in the absence of special contraindications and not too serious reason for this condition.