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GENERALISED OEDEMA |
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decreased colloid osmotic pressure: |
eg. hypoalbuminaemia |
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increased venous pressure: |
eg. congestive heart failure |
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renal disease (Na and water retention): |
eg. acute glomerulonephritis (various causes) |
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increased renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activity: |
hyper-reninism (Bartter's syndrome) primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn's syndrome) secondary to congestive heart failure, renal disease, liver cirrhosis, etc. |
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increased vascular permeability: |
anaphylaxis angio-neurotic oedema |
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drugs (causing fluid retetion): |
steroids (mineralocorticoids) carbenoxolone vasodilators, incl. Ca channel blockers NSAIDs liquorice (aldosterone effect) |
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other: |
pregnancy / pre-eclampsia hypothyroidism (myxoedema) idiopathic |
NB: commonest causes of generalised oedema are:
- congestive heart failure
- chronic renal failure
- nephrotic syndrome
- liver disease
(more than one factor may contribute to oedema in each case)
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