What is idiopathic oedema?
Oedema is the medical term for fluid retention. Idiopathic is a term which means ‘unknown cause’. Idiopathic oedema is therefore a condition of mild fluid retention where the cause is not fully understood. Oedema can be caused by various conditions, especially diseases of the heart or kidney. However, people with idiopathic oedema are otherwise healthy and do not have a kidney or heart disease to account for their oedema. Idiopathic oedema is not serious but can be a nuisance.
