Question

A patient has generalized edema – what are 3 differential diagnoses that could describe this symptom? Please explain why you choose these. Need scholar articles within 5 years to explain answers

Answer 1

Generalized edema is seen in chronic heart, kidney and liver disorders.

Generalized edema is the main symptom of nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes increased excretion of proteins through urine. In this, small blood vessels in the kidney that filter waste and excess water from blood get damaged. This is the reason for generalized edema in nephrotic syndrome

In congestive heart failure, one or both ventricles lose their ability to pump blood effectively causing retention of blood in the body especially in legs, ankles resulting in edema

Whereas in chronic liver disease like cirrhotic liver, due to increased venous pressure in the veins that bring blood into the liver from intestine and spleerln, patient may develop ascites and edema on lower extremities. Also the increased pressure in portal vein also accelerate the effect.