A low-protein diet is designed to treat patients who suffer from certain diseases of the liver and kidneys. When the liver and kidneys begin to fail, it's difficult for the body to process the nitrogen and ammonia that are by-products of protein....
Kwashiorkor, also called protein-energy malnutrition, occurs when the diet is lacking in protein. It occurs most often in world regions with consistently low food supplies, famine, political upheavals, droughts, natural disasters, poor education...
Primary nutritional deficiency is one of the most basic types of malnutrition, and occurs in people who do not have enough nutrients in their diet. According to the Kid’s Health website, malnutrition is one of the most prevalent causes of...
The combination drug spironolactone/hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed for congestive heart failure with edema (swelling due to an accumulation of fluid) and cirrhosis of the liver with edema or ascites (a collection of fluid in the abdominal...
Drinking beer is a favorite American pastime, although excessive consumption can harm your liver and lead to edema, or swelling, in your lower legs and abdomen. Even light beer consumption can cause allergic reactions in some people or relax blood...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a condition where airflow is persistently blocked on exhalation. Air becomes trapped in the lungs, which increases the effort required to breath. The disease is commonly associated with emphysema...
Cirrhosis is the end stage of chronic liver disease, in which normally functioning liver tissue has been replaced by non-functioning scar tissue. Commonly, the early stages of cirrhosis are asymptomatic, making diagnosis difficult. However, the...
The term "heart failure" means that the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It happens when the heart is too weak to pump blood effectively or when it is too stiff to fill up with enough blood. The American Heart Association...
Most heart disease in children falls in two categories: congenital heart disease and arrhythmias. Children with congenital heart disease are born with anatomical defects of the heart. Arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart rhythm that can...
Painless swelling of the foot may occur due to many reasons, according to MedlinePlus. The natural effect of gravity upon the body can result in painless feet swelling. This occurs when fluids shift from within the blood vessels of the lower...
Sudden weight gain as the result of edema, or water retention, can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Rapid weight loss can cause edema in some cases, and in other situations, resolution of edema can lead to rapid weight loss. Consult your doctor...
Even though malnourishment in young children is more common in developing countries, nutritional deficiencies can also affect American children. According to the Child Welfare League of America, about 2.9 million children in the United States...
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a virus. It is contracted by contact with the blood of an infected person. Some cases of hepatitis C resolve without treatment, while other cases become chronic, defined as lasting more than six months....
Proteins are the most abundant compounds in your blood, responsible for building cell tissues and transporting hormones, vitamins, minerals and lipids. A total protein test is a way of measuring the combined amount of these substances. MedlinePlus...
Artichokes are unusual-looking vegetables commonly eaten in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. They need to be cooked to make the flesh soft enough to eat and digest. Like most plants, artichokes contain phytonutrients, plant compounds...
Edema is swelling of the tissues due to fluid retention. It has a number of causes, including low protein in the blood. Low protein in the blood alone is less likely to cause edema, but along with other factors such as heart failure or infections,...
Edema, or fluid accumulation, occurs in the areas around the cells. It can also occur in the circulatory system. Edema is not considered a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. Redness of the skin, heat, and pain or tenderness may also...
Influenza is a respiratory tract infection producing symptoms mainly in the nose and throat. Infection usually lasts about a week, and the symptoms are present with rapid onset of fever, headache and generalized ache. Flu viruses are spread easily...
Although a mild swelling of your fingers may be nothing more than a temporary nuisance, severe finger swelling may be a disabling condition. Infections or a buildup of fluid are common causes of swelling in the fingers. When swelling in your...
Edema is swelling caused by the buildup of fluids in the tissues of the body. It can occur in any part of the body; however, edema is more common in parts of the body that are lowest to the ground. The most likely areas to be affected are the...
Liver disease involves a wide spectrum of illnesses and causes. Some common causes of hepatic disease include viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease and cancer. Some symptoms that result from liver disease may impact walking or gait function.
Selenium is a nonmetal element required in trace amounts for cellular function and enzyme production in virtually all animals. Selenium rarely occurs naturally in its elemental state; rather, it tends to form salts. Selenium salts are toxic in...
If you've had surgery or a liver infection, such as hepatitis, your liver may literally need to regenerate itself. You can support this natural healing process by eating a nutritionally balanced diet. This means getting all the essential nutrients...
In most cases, water retention in the body is part of a natural process such as pregnancy or menstruation. You may even experience some water retention in your legs after sitting or standing for long periods. But in other instances, water...
Cirrhosis of the liver occurs when scar tissue forms on the liver. As the scarring worsens, symptoms and complications of the condition manifest. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, cirrhosis of the liver is the 11th leading...
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to supply the body with adequate blood. This leads to an accumulation of fluids within the body, and swelling is especially seen in the lower extremities of the body. Swelling can occur in...
Hydrochlorothiazide is a medication in a class of drugs known as diuretics. Diuretic medications work in the body by helping to rid the system of excess fluid. According to Drugs.com, hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure,...
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) used to lower blood pressure. This medication works by preventing your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause high blood pressure and fluid retention, according to...
There are two chromium supplements: chromium picolinate and niacin-bound chromium. Niacin-bound chromium, or chromium glucose tolerance factor, or GTF, comes from Brewer's yeast. Chromium picolinate shows toxicity resulting in renal impairment,...
