What are the methods to reduce edema caused by kidney disease?

If the body has kidney disease, it is easy to cause edema, which is caused by problems with glomerular filtration. If you want to effectively reduce swelling in your body, you must treat the disease in time so that you can protect your body. Common ways to reduce swelling include limiting sodium intake, diuresis, controlling proteinuria, etc.

One is that the glomerular filtration decreases, while the renal tubular reabsorption of water and sodium is still good, resulting in water and sodium retention. This is often accompanied by increased capillary permeability throughout the body, so water retains in the tissue spaces. This situation is more common in nephritis.

Another reason is that plasma protein is too low due to excessive proteinuria. When a large amount of proteinuria is produced, the protein concentration in the human blood will decrease, leading to hypoproteinemia. When the protein concentration in the blood decreases, the plasma colloid osmotic pressure in the blood vessels will decrease. A decrease in plasma colloidal osmotic pressure means that the water content in the blood is greater than that in the tissues. Therefore, the water in the blood will penetrate into the interstitial spaces. The more water in the tissues penetrates and accumulates, eventually leading to edema in the human body.

Both of the above conditions are called renal edema. The experts of Funeng Kidney Medicine give the following suggestions:

1. Etiological treatment is fundamental, and glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome should be treated actively. But the effects are slow.

2. Limit sodium salt: Nephritis or nephrotic edema will cause sodium and water retention, so sodium salt intake must be limited, but it must be appropriate. Long-term sodium abstinence can cause hyponatremia.

3. Diuresis: If necessary, taking diuretics while restricting sodium can promote the excretion of sodium and water to relieve edema, and can also relieve high blood pressure and reduce the burden on the heart.

4. Control proteinuria: Proteinuria must be controlled for nephrotic edema. Immunosuppressive drugs (dexamethasone, prednisone, etc.) can be used to restore normal glomerular permeability. Replenish plasma protein.

5. Rest in bed. Lying flat can increase renal blood flow, improve glomerular filtration rate, and reduce water and sodium retention. Patients with mild edema should alternate between bed rest and activities, and the amount of activity should be limited. Patients with severe edema should rest in bed and raise the edematous limbs to facilitate blood return and reduce edema.

6. Diet. Limiting water, sodium, and protein intake

(1) Protein intake. A low-protein diet can slow the development of renal damage. For patients with severe edema and hypoproteinemia, the protein intake is 1g per kilogram per day, and more than 60% of it should be high-quality protein. For patients with mild to moderate edema, the protein intake is 0.5-0.6/kg per day, and more than 60% of it should be high-quality protein such as eggs, lean meat, fresh milk, etc. While taking in protein, there must be sufficient calorie intake, 126-147KJ/kg per day.

(2) Water and salt intake: For mild edema, urine volume should be ≥1000ml/d, and there is no need to restrict water excessively. Sodium salt should be limited to 3g/d, including sodium-containing foods and beverages such as sausages, bacon, canned foods, etc. For severe edema with oliguria, daily water intake should be limited to 1000ml, a salt-free diet should be taken, and sugar, vinegar, onions, etc. should be used to season the food to increase appetite.