Idiopathic Edema

PATIENTS with edema and without evidence of cardiovascular, renal, hepatic or neurologic disease present a frequent diagnostic and therapeutic problem. These cases have been classified in a large and probably heterogeneous group known as "idiopathic edema." The patients are usually females who are under some stress, who tend to be emotionally unstable and who, not infrequently, have a history of renal and peptic-ulcer disease in the past. Their edema may fluctuate with environmental factors, fatigue or emotional reactions, and is frequently associated with headaches. Although a premenstrual exacerbation of symptoms may be noted there is generally no consistent correlation between . . .