Swelling occurs because of excess fluid that collects in the tissues of the body. The most common places for swelling are the hands, feet, arms, legs and ankles, as reported by MayoClinic.com. Many medical conditions, medications and lifestyle...
Gradual swelling of the legs, also known as edema, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. For example, leg swelling can indicate kidney problems or even heart failure. Raising the legs, wearing compression stockings, watching salt...
Bright's disease is an historical classification of kidney diseases that today includes acute and chronic nephritis (sometimes also known as nephritic syndrome or glomerulonephritis). Nephritis is caused by an inflammation of the internal...
Your weight can vary from day to day by a couple of pounds, and over the course of a day just because you're adding the physical weight of the food you ate. That doesn't make seeing a huge jump in the numbers on the scale any easier, especially if...
When kidneys are unable to filter the blood, dangerous levels of fluid and waste collect in the body. According to MayoClinic.com, acute kidney failure can happen over the course of hours or days, and is most likely to occur in critically ill...
Poison oak as a member of the plant genus Toxicodendrons, along with poison ivy and poison sumac. In the United States, two distinctive species of poison oak are present: eastern poison oak and western poison oak. While poison oak species are...
Acute glomerulonephritis, sometimes called acute nephritic syndrome, most often affects children between the ages of 2 and 10 after a streptococcal infection, although adults may also develop the disease. Other bacterial and viral infections and...
The kidneys are paired organs in the lower back that regulate the composition of blood. They regulate the mineral content and volume of blood, signal the bone marrow to make red blood cells, help synthesize vitamin D and get rid of waste through...
Water retention is also known as edema, and is created when excess water accumulates in your body tissues. This creates a swollen, puffy appearance, and is most common in the extremities such as ankles, feet and hands. Edema is not a disease, but...
Edema is swelling due to buildup of serous fluid in connective tissue, such as cartilage and bone, or in a serous cavity, a hollow space within the body. Edema occurs when tiny blood vessels in your body leak fluid in the surrounding tissue. The...
Hydrochlorothiazide, abbreviated HCTZ, is a thiazide diuretic used for the treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure. It may also be used for the treatment of water accumulation in the body in patients who have congestive heart failure and...
Calcium and potassium deficiencies are sometimes treated with a calcium or potassium supplement. If your diet consistently lacks these nutrients, your doctor may also advise that you include more potassium- and calcium-rich foods in your diet in...
Furosemide, commonly known as the pharmaceutical brand Lasix, is a strong diuretic medication used to decrease fluid and salt retention resulting from various health disorders. It reduces swelling, or edema, which can be uncomfortable and lead to...
Serum protein levels refer to the amount of proteins in the blood -- but not exactly the same proteins as the one in your steak or soy burger. Instead, serum proteins include albumin, a protein that helps you maintain fluid balance, and globulins,...
The medications given to treat thyroid disorders depend upon whether the patient is hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. Hyperthyroidism refers to the body making excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Treatments are aimed at controlling symptoms and...
The kidneys are a paired organ located in the abdomen approximately at the lower back of human beings. Their basic function is filtering the blood. They regulate the mineral composition of the blood, modify the acidity, change the amount of fluid...
The renal system is the group of organs that filter liquid waste from the bloodstream and remove it from the body, but it primarily refers to the kidneys. Likewise, renal failure refers to kidney failure, or the inability of the kidneys to...
Proteins are complex compounds made of amino acids. Every cell in your body requires protein, and protein also serves an important function in your organs, skin, muscles and glands. You will find protein in all of your body fluid except for bile....
Edema is swelling caused by the build up of fluid in the cells or tissues. In acute periorbital edema, the eyelids and area around the eye are swollen. There are various causes for this disorder. Some people can develop periorbital edema from an...
Acute renal failure, also called acute kidney failure, is a sudden loss of kidney function that results in an inability of the kidneys to filter wastes without losing electrolytes. This is a very serious condition that can lead to the need for...
Hot stone massage is a variation on massage therapy where heated stones are placed at strategic points along the body. The stones are usually polished or smooth to avoid rough edges. They are soaked in clean sanitized water and heated electrically...
