brawny edema

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Brawny Edema Diagnosing and UnderstandingEdema (also called dropsy) is a medical condition caused by excess interstitial fluid. Brawny edema is a much

more severe type of edema although it has many of the same characteristics as the more common variety.

Because brawny edema can be an indication of one or more very serious underlying medical conditions it is

important to understand how to tell the difference between the two.

If pitting occurs from pressure, this is not brawny edema.

The basic test used to diagnose brawny edema is to test for pitting. By applying pressure to the affected limb

for several seconds (usually with a fingertip), the underlying fluid is displaced and an impression or pit is

formed. The !ey to telling if edema has progressed to a more severe stage is whether or not a pit forms and

then slowly disappears. Brawny edema is a non"pitting form, which means that this pressure test does not form

a tell"tale indentation. The non"pitting #uality is due to fibrotic changes in the subcutaneous tissues as well as

changes to the outer s!in layer, too.

Beyond a palpitation test, the physical signs of brawny edema are clearly visible. The s!in becomes harder and

thic!er and often features a red or dar! discoloration along the affected limb. The affected part also displays

significant swelling and may be warm to the touch.

This disorder can affect almost any part of the body. There have been cases of the face, arms, and hands, but

the vast ma$ority of cases are seen in the legs, feet and an!les. This is due to the fact that some of the primary

causes of brawny edema are chronic venous insufficiency, lymphatic obstruction, and renal insufficiency. %ll of

these conditions may cause the body to retain fluids. &ravity draws these excess fluids to the lower limbs

where they collect and cause swelling. Brawny edema can also develop from untreated edema. 'or this

reason, any form of edema should be treated as #uic!ly as symptoms appear.

Edema has many causes and $ust as many treatments. ompression stoc!ings !eep fluid from accumulating in

the lower extremities, diuretics may provide relief, and eating less salt and other dietary changes may also be

effective.

nonpitting edema

Type:Term

Definitions:. swelling of subcutaneous tissues that cannot be indented easily by compression. *sually due tometabolic abnormality, such as increased glycosaminoglycan content, li!e that which occursin &raves disease(pretibial myxedema) or in early phase of scleroderma.

Synonyms:brawny edema
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?s=Graves+diseasehttp://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?s=sclerodermahttp://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?s=brawny+edemahttp://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?s=sclerodermahttp://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?s=brawny+edemahttp://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?s=Graves+disease


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Edema refers to accumulation of excess of interstitial fluid resulting in enlargement and swelling of the affected

organ. There are two basic types of edemas, with brawny edema being the more severe form. Brawny edema is

non pitting edema (i.e. the pressure test doesnt form an indentation) and is attributed to fibrotic changes that

tae place in the subcutaneous tissue along with the outer layer of the sin.

This condition can affect any part of the body, though in vast ma!ority the brawny edema are observed to affect

the lower extremities. "n other cases, edema may be present on the arms and hand and occasionally on the face.

The primary cause for the development of brawny edema is circulatory dysfunction. #ome of the causes leading tocirculatory dysfunction include,

$hronic venous insufficiency due to conditions lie varicose veins.

%ymphatic obstruction caused due to conditions lie &odgins lymphoma.

'enal insufficiency caused due to renal conditions lie nephritic and nephritic syndrome.

Brawny Edema #ymptoms

Typically referred to as dropsy, brawny edema is characteried by swelling of the affected organ due to

accumulation of fluids. The uniue feature about brawny edema is the non pitting nature of the edema i.e. the

pressure test is usually negative. #ince, brawny edema is a more severe form of the condition, it is important to

be able to differentiate it, from the other forms.

&eres how,

*t the affected site, use the thumb to pressure the sin over a bony surface. Ensure that the pressure is even and

press for about + - seconds. Typically one should select the sin overlying the tibia if the edema affects the lowerextremity or the sin over the sacrum in case of lower bac or hip.

'elease the pressure after + to - seconds.

"n cases of pitting edema, an indentation will be formed, which would usually rebound bac to normal shape

within a few seconds. &owever in case of brawny edema, no indentation is formed, due to fibrotic damage of the

underlying tissue and sin.

&ome 'emedies /or Brawny Edema

The treatment regimen of brawny edema depends upon the underlying cause. &owever, here are some

important lifestyle and dietary tips that are helpful,

'estrict the intae of salt in your diet. #odium results in water retention and increases the fluid volume of the

body. *void processed and refined foods as most of these foods contain preservatives in the form of sodium.

* protein rich diet is recommended in individuals with brawny edema. 0roteins can help improve the osmolarity

of the blood, which in turn prevents the blood from extravagation into the interstitial space. "ron deficiency anemia is

also lined with edema and hence a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits and nuts is important to address to

deficiency of iron in the body.

1eep your lower extremities elevated. Edema affects the lower extremities due to the inability of the blood to drain

against gravity. "t is important to raise the lower extremities above the level of the heart to improve circulation.


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#imple exercises of the calf muscles (in case of involvement of the lower extremity) or the arms (in case of

involvement of the upper extremity) can help in drainage of venous blood and reduce interstitial edema.

&omeopathic drug *rsenic *lb is also referred to as the homeopathic trocar. "t helps in eliminating excess of

water in the body, due to its diuretic effect and reduces edema.

Blood Urea Nitrogen

% blood urea nitrogen (B*+) test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste

product urea. *rea is made when protein is bro!en down in your body. *rea is made in the liver and passed

out of your body in the urine.

% B*+ test is done to see how well your !idneys are wor!ing. f your !idneys are not able to remove urea

from the blood normally, your B*+ level rises.-eart failure, dehydration, or a diet high in protein can also

ma!e your B*+ level higher. iver disease or damage can lower your B*+ level. % low B*+ level can occur

normally in the second or thirdtrimesterof pregnancy.

Blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio (BUN:creatinine)

% B*+ test may be done with a blood creatininetest. The level of creatinine in your blood also tells how wel

your !idneys are wor!ing/a high creatinine level may mean your !idneys are not wor!ing properly. Blood urea

nitrogen (B*+) and creatinine tests can be used together to find the B*+"to"creatinine ratio (B*+0creatinine)

% B*+"to"creatinine ratio can help your doctor chec! for problems, such as dehydration, that may cause

abnormal B*+ and creatinine levels.

Why It Is Done

% blood urea nitrogen (B*+) test is done to0

1ee if your !idneys are wor!ing normally.

1ee if your !idney disease is getting worse.

1ee if treatment of your !idney disease is wor!ing.

hec! for severe dehydration. 2ehydration generally causes B*+ levels to rise more than creatinine levels. This

causes a high B*+"to"creatinine ratio. 3idney disease or bloc!age of the flow of urine from your !idney causes both B*+

and creatinine levels to go up.

How To Prepare

2o not eat a lot of meat or other protein in the 45 hours before having a blood urea nitrogen (B*+) test.
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