Idiopathic Oedema

Oedema is the medical term for fluid retention. Idiopathic is a term for 'unknown cause'. Idiopathic oedema is therefore a condition of mild fluid retention where the cause is not fully understood. It is not due to heart or kidney disease, it is not serious but can be a nuisance. It mainly affects women in their middle years. The underlying cause is likely to be due to fluid 'leaking' out of the small blood vessels into the tissues. This is worse after standing for long periods due to a higher pressure in veins when standing compared to lying down.

Mild swelling of the feet, hands, abdomen, breasts and face may occur. This is worse at the end of the day and may disappear after a night`s rest. Rings may need to be taken off and looser clothes may need to be worn in the evening. Other more serious causes of oedema can usually be ruled out by a doctor. (However, one cause of fluid retention often overlooked by patients and difficult to diagnose is due to binge eating alternating with strict dieting. This can cause intermittent fluid retention). Once other causes of fluid retention have been ruled out, a useful test to do at home is regular weighings. Use the same scales and keep a diary of weights. After going to the toilet, weigh yourself (without clothes) every morning and late evening for about one month. People with idiopathic oedema often weigh about 2 kilograms (4 pounds) heavier by the end of the day compared to the morning.

It is not an easy condition to treat. Many people are reassured that their fluid retention is not due to a serious medical condition. Learning to live with it and changing into loose evening clothes is all that is required for most people. However, the following tips may be helpful:

• Avoid prolonged standing - wearing support stockings or tights will help to reduce swelling of ankles and legs.
• Weight loss - many people with fluid retention are overweight and losing weight can make a big difference. A gradual weight loss (rather than fasting and binging) is recommended.
• Salt restriction - not adding salt to food may help. (Restricting drinks, however, makes no difference).
• Diuretics ('water tablets') - many people take these for oedema. However, in idiopathic oedema they may make things worse in some people as they may alter the salt and water balance of the body. They are not necessarily the easy answer to the problem. However, they might help and a doctor is the best person to discuss this with.

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