Excessive fluid gain in a chronic laxative abuser: “pseudo‐idiopathic” oedema

Chronic lower limb oedema.

Contrary to popular belief, little fluid is reabsorbed by the capillary and most of it is returned to the circulation via the lymphatic. Lymph drainage begins in thin-walled, superficial initial lymphatics with wide (14 nm) oblique intercellular junctions that function as flap valves. They freely allow passage of fluid and protein into the lymphatic but prevent back flow. The initial lymphatics...

Leg elevator for chronic oedema.

Chronic oedema and associated complications

The World Health Organization document (WHO, 2010), Wound and Lymphoedema Management, stresses the need to integrate lymphoedema, chronic oedema and wound care (Bolton, 2010). Due to skin changes that occur in patients with chronic oedema, there is the potential for venous ulceration to occur (Hampton, 2010). Thus, dressings are required to manage infection and exudate. Conditions such as lymph...

Fluid resuscitation, laryngeal oedema and severe dengue

The publication on ‘Fluid resuscitation, laryngeal oedema and severe dengue’ is very interesting.[1] Saran and Azim reported a case and raised an interesting question ‘can fluid resuscitation be a risk factor for laryngeal oedema in severe dengue?’[1] Indeed, good monitoring is required for fluid therapy for severe dengue since the complication of fluid overload is possible.[2] There is no doub...

Innovations in compression for chronic oedema

Among other risk factors, chronic venous insufficiency predisposes an individual to chronic oedema. The use of compression bandaging in the intensive phase of treatment is indicated to reduce distortion, lymphorrhoea, and achieve wound healing. When applying a compression bandage, it is essential that the clinician considers the laws that underpin the theory of compression. Owing to the physica...