NSAIDs and Edema

Edema is a curious condition where your body's tissues (commonly in the legs, arms, and face) swell up with excess fluid. There are several causes of edema, but one curious connection is the link between NSAIDs and edema. Read on to discover how NSAID use is linked with edema.

How NSAIDs Work

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) reduce inflammation. NSAIDs work by reducing your body's production of prostaglandins. These chemicals cause fever, inflammation, and pain in the body and are part of the body's natural immune response. These chemicals also protect the lining of the stomach, clot the blood, and keep the kidneys functioning healthily. Frequent hampering of prostaglandins can cause several issues in the body.

First, it can lead to the development of ulcers. Second, it can lead to an increased risk of bleeding. Finally, the effect on renal function can damage the kidneys over time, which will result in an increased risk for edema. Additionally, recent studies have linked NSAID medication to an increased risk of heart problems.

Although these medications are common and available to use freely, they still have risks and should be used sparingly.

How NSAIDs Cause Edema

Long-term use of NSAIDs can damage the kidneys and cause edema by blocking the production of prostaglandins, which are essential for proper kidney function. The biggest risk is for patients who already have kidney problems and suffer from renal failure, kidney stones, and or otherwise prostaglandin-dependent.

Studies have found that patients who experience congestive heart failure or cirrhosis are more likely to be affected by NSAID-related edema. More surprisingly, studies have also found that restricting sodium intake and taking diuretics frequently makes it more likely that you will be affected by NSAID-related edema.

The biggest danger to NSAIDs and edema is that when taking NSAIDs, salt reabsorption is common. This usually occurs within the first week of taking NSAIDs. regularly. The biggest takeaway from the study was that individuals who are at-risk for kidney problems should watch carefully when taking NSAID medication to ensure that does not result in salt reabsorption and edema. Left untreated, the edema can progress and cause serious problems in the kidneys, heart, and elsewhere.

How to Reverse NSAID-Induced Edema

The luckiest thing about edema triggered by NSAID use is that it usually leaves once NSAID medication is stopped. There are other medication types that can control fever and inflammation that do not cause edema. If you are naturally prone to edema, however, you may want to avoid using NSAID medication even if you have not noticed any edema when you take the medication. If you have NSAID-induced edema, the edema should fade with a reduced-sodium diet and drinking extra water for a few days after stopping the medication. If your edema does not recede within a few days, consult a doctor.

NSAIDs Can Affect Edema

If you have regular edema, not caused by anything identifiable and you have tried reducing salt intake to no effect, it could be NSAIDs are making your kidneys work hard to eliminate excess fluid. Try eliminating NSAID medication for several weeks and see if your edema improves when combined with other edema-fighting techniques, like supportive herbs and diuretics. Within just a few weeks, your edema symptoms should be gone. If not, talk to your doctor about whether your edema might be caused by a more serious condition.