Aetiology

Causes of generalized oedema include:

• increased venous pressure e.g. right cardiac failure
  
  
• reduced intravascular oncotic pressure e.g. hypoalbuminaemia
  • liver cirrhosis
  • nephrotic syndrome
    
    
• renal failure - this may result in generalised oedema
  • impaired sodium excretion

Other possible causes include:

• pregnancy or other pelvic mass
• hypothyroidism
• angioneurotic oedema
• steroid therapy
• starvation: particularly on refeeding