The human body consists of 70% of water, 2/3 of which is contained inside the cells, 1/3 - in the intercellular space. This is where kidney water is sent if there is some kind of malfunction in their work. Accumulating, the fluid entails edema of this organ, which, if untreated, can result in irreversible consequences.
Renal edema: symptoms
It is possible to determine a condition dangerous for the body by puffiness of the face, bags under the eyes, swelling of the extremities - external signs, which in some cases may not appear. An increase in body weight without visible pathologies also indicates the possible presence of renal edema.
The main symptoms of renal edema:
- Pain sensations of varying degrees of intensity arising as a result of acute inflammatory processes caused by infection, blockage of the ureter, movement of stones. The pains are localized under the lower ribs, in the lower back, can be given to the inguinal region or leg, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Often, after renal colic during the day, edema appears - a later symptom indicating a malfunction of this organ.
- Impaired urination. The daily norm of adult urine volume is about 1.5 liters per day or 3/4 of the amount of fluid consumed. The decrease in this indicator is due to water retention in the body caused by the inflammatory processes present in it.
- Neurological manifestations due to the accumulation of toxins in the body. In the absence of filtration, the latter should be excreted in the urine, and if they remain inside, nerve tissue accumulates and irritates, causing sleep disturbance, drowsiness, headaches and muscle pains, and itching.
Latent edema in latent form can be detected by consuming diuretics. If available, weight loss per day due to the withdrawn liquid will be 1-2 kg.
Signs 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 “mobility”, in which, depending on the change in body position, puffiness gradually drops down: first the face swells, then the body and arms, then there is an increase in the size of the hips, calves, feet. Another hallmark of kidney edema is the rapid increase in its size. The renal nature of the edema is confirmed by its symmetry.
It should be able to distinguish renal edema from cardiac edema. The latter appear first on the legs, and the swelling of the kidneys begins to move from the facial zone.
Renal edema of the legs is observed in severe renal failure and nephritic syndrome, are characterized by the same severity in both limbs.
Causes of kidney edema
The causes of renal edema are:
- reduced presence of protein in the blood due to a violation of its formation or as a result of loss during urination;
- increased amount of sodium ions in the blood; may 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, which forms edema;
- increased vascular permeability, facilitating the release of blood and fluid particles into the intercellular space.
What causes the appearance of edema of the kidneys
Of the diseases that can activate the aforementioned mechanisms that cause the occurrence of renal edema, pathologies that negatively affect the glomeruli in the kidneys are of key importance. Due to the ongoing inflammatory process, proliferating connective tissue, the filtration process is inhibited or completely stopped, manifested by fluid retention and water-electrolyte imbalance. In some painful conditions, the exact opposite happens: the filtration is enhanced, and substances that must be in the blood enter the intercellular space.
Renal edema may be caused by:
- glomerulonephritis;
- heavy metal poisoning;
- renal amyloidosis;
- systemic diseases of the connective tissue;
- tumor processes;
- renal and heart failure;
- a change in blood composition;
- vascular disease;
- infectious processes;
- diseases of the lymphatic and urinary system;
- side effects of drugs.
Depending on the underlying pathology, renal edema, photos of which can show varying degrees of severity, localization, and resistance, are characterized by pallor of the skin in edematous places, as well as dry skin. With nephritis - diseases of an inflammatory nature, swelling is pronounced and can disappear on its own, without therapeutic measures.
The 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 edematous area under the eyes becomes, and then the same state passes to the rest of the body. The symptoms are most pronounced in the morning, and by the end of the day they decrease. Therefore, if swelling of the legs is observed in the late afternoon, this is most likely due to varicose veins or disturbances in the functioning of the heart.
Diagnosis of renal edema
If you suspect renal edema, it is recommended to consult a therapist and undergo the following tests:
- laboratory tests of blood and urine;
- X-ray examination of the urinary canals and kidneys,
- magnetic resonance diagnostics and computed tomography of the kidneys ;
- Doppler ultrasound aimed at detecting blood flow disorders in the kidneys;
- nephroscintigraphy, which analyzes the functional abilities of the organ under investigation and probable thrombosis.
Renal edema: treatment
For the treatment of renal edema, the doctor prescribes diuretics that stimulate the excretion of fluids from the body: Spironolactone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Oxodolin, Triamteren, Mannitol, Furosemide. You should know that:
- treatment should be carried out against the background of continuous monitoring of urine, blood pressure, electrolyte levels;
- in case of urgent need, drugs can be administered intravenously;
- self-medication is strictly prohibited due to the high probability of complications.
Long-term use of such funds can have side effects, therefore, it is recommended that the patient take “Asparkam” or “Panangin” in parallel, which support the work of the heart and prevent the elimination of potassium from the body.
Treatment of the underlying disease depends on the diagnosis and is aimed at eliminating its cause, which caused the failure of the kidneys. With the restoration of the natural filtration rate, puffiness will gradually disappear. In case of kidney diseases, if acute infectious processes take place, treatment is carried out with antibiotics. In autoimmune diseases: rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus - the doctor prescribes glucocorticoids and cytostatics. To strengthen the walls of blood vessels, Ascorutin is effective, the course of treatment of which is from 2 to 4 weeks. Regulation of water-electrolyte balance in the blood is carried out using intravenous infusions and droppers.
From excess sodium and preventing an increase in blood volume with a decreasing or constant amount of protein, a special salt-free diet is also used, which also restricts the intake of any fluid. Be sure to include vegetables, fish, low-fat meat, boiled breast, containing a sufficient amount of protein in the diet. With the right approach to treating a disease that causes fluid retention in the body, kidney edema disappears first.
Almost always, acute forms of the disease are accompanied by edema of the kidneys, and the imminent disappearance of the latter creates the illusion of recovery. The absence of external symptoms can lead to unauthorized cessation of treatment and cause the onset of relapse of the disease or their transition to a chronic state.
During pregnancy
Renal edema during pregnancy is very dangerous. They are quite difficult to identify, since during the period of bearing a child, swelling of the hands, feet, face is quite common. The body's need for fluid is increasing, and a woman in an interesting position with an approach to childbirth is more and more thirsty. Along the way, an accumulation of water-retaining sodium occurs in the body.
Most often , the legs swell during pregnancy: it becomes extremely difficult to shoe, on the ankle there is a trace of gum socks. If in the morning such an anxiety state remains, and at the same time there are renal edema on the face with bags under the eyes and swelling of the hands, you should definitely visit your doctor. Excessive weight gain (above 0.3 kg per week) should also be a serious cause for concern.
Alternative methods of treatment
In some cases, renal edema can be treated with alternative methods, namely medicinal herbs, which help to remove excess fluid from the body.
Effectively apply the collection of cowberry leaves, crushed juniper fruits, birch buds, bearberry leaves, taken in the same proportion. A tablespoon of the finished collection should be poured with boiling water and simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes. To filter. Drink 2 tbsp. tablespoons 4-5 times a day.
Tea from dandelion leaves, which has a diuretic effect and restores potassium reserves in the body, will help get rid of renal edema. Drink 3 times a day for 1 glass.
Recipes of traditional medicine in the treatment of renal edema are 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.