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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Generalized Edema Of Unknown Origin

Hello,Dr. I have protein spilling into my bowel and unexplained generalized edema. Dr s have tested my kidneys, liver, done endoscopy and colonoscopy, stress tests, echocardiograms, abdominal ultra sounds, renal ultrasounds, biopsies, you name it, it s been done. Dr. s said they are on Z , meaning they have looked at all obvious causes and are now on Z (a to z). I gained 50 # of fluid in a month. They treated the symptoms (albumin and Lasix). I diuresed well, lost 40# of fluid. Now the fluid is slowly returning. Any ideas
Fri, 19 Aug 2016
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Critical Care Specialist 's  Response
Hi, I understand your concern and I'll try to help you. The generalized edema is called anasarca and is characterized by swelling in the hands, feet, legs, face, periorbital region, ascites, pleural effusion. And anasarca occurs retention or low plasma oncotic pressure on the loss of albumin.

There are several causes of anasarca, such as nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, liver failure, cardiac failure and conditions such as rare Menetrier's disease. Nephrotic syndrome is a loss of blood proteins such as albumin in the urine and is related to infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV and genetic diseases such as lupus. In renal insufficiency, there is a loss of the ability of the kidneys remove excess water from the body. The problem liver failure is the low production by albumin liver. In heart insuficiuĂȘncia the problem is the loss of contractile function of the heart, with blood pumping loss and consequent anasarca by fluid retention.

The Menetrier disease is a strong possibility for your case. It is a rare disease in which there is loss of plasma proteins such as albumin by some areas of the digestive tract, more frequently the stomach. When it affects the stomach, this organ gets aspect that resembles watermelon on endoscopy. The diagnosis is made by endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal CT scans and biopsies of suspected sites. The treatment is carried out with drugs such as albumin and lasix, and in refractory cases, with surgery for resection of the segments of the digestive tract responsible for the loss of proteins.

Your doctor is on track of the definitive diagnosis. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help you. Wish you good health.
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Suggest Treatment For Generalized Edema Of Unknown Origin

Hi, I understand your concern and I ll try to help you. The generalized edema is called anasarca and is characterized by swelling in the hands, feet, legs, face, periorbital region, ascites, pleural effusion. And anasarca occurs retention or low plasma oncotic pressure on the loss of albumin. There are several causes of anasarca, such as nephrotic syndrome, renal failure, liver failure, cardiac failure and conditions such as rare Menetrier s disease. Nephrotic syndrome is a loss of blood proteins such as albumin in the urine and is related to infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C, HIV and genetic diseases such as lupus. In renal insufficiency, there is a loss of the ability of the kidneys remove excess water from the body. The problem liver failure is the low production by albumin liver. In heart insuficiuĂȘncia the problem is the loss of contractile function of the heart, with blood pumping loss and consequent anasarca by fluid retention. The Menetrier disease is a strong possibility for your case. It is a rare disease in which there is loss of plasma proteins such as albumin by some areas of the digestive tract, more frequently the stomach. When it affects the stomach, this organ gets aspect that resembles watermelon on endoscopy. The diagnosis is made by endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal CT scans and biopsies of suspected sites. The treatment is carried out with drugs such as albumin and lasix, and in refractory cases, with surgery for resection of the segments of the digestive tract responsible for the loss of proteins. Your doctor is on track of the definitive diagnosis. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help you. Wish you good health.