ABSTRACT
Idiopathic edema, by its name, indicates that there is no known cause to the excessive fluid retention. Idiopathic edema rarely occurs in males and occurs in females only after puberty. The availability of relief by using intermittent diuretics also provides the patient with some reassurance that she has control over the symptoms. Once the diagnosis appears established, reassurance is critically important for the patient and will need to be reinforced over a period of time. Abnormal changes in capillary permeability to both water and solute appear to be the most likely single factor contributing to idiopathic edema. The presence of intense thirst and oliguria, especially during upright posture in the afternoon, may help separate idiopathic edema from the other conditions. Management of idiopathic edema is complicated by the inability of the patient to obtain complete relief and by the inability of the physician to provide a "real diagnosis”.
