Edemigenic syndrome: understand the health problem that affected Erasmo Carlos

Singer and composer Erasmo Carlos died this Tuesday (22), at the age of 81, in Rio de Janeiro.

Erasmo was hospitalized due to a condition of edemigenic syndrome disease that retains liquids in the bloodstream.

In most cases, the condition is a result of other health problems such as heart and kidney disease.

1. What is the edemigenic syndrome?

“The edemigenic syndrome is characterized by generalized edema, that is, a swelling caused by an excess of liquid trapped in the body’s tissues”, explains physician Caio Focássio, vascular surgeon and member of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery.

2. What are the main causes?

In most cases, the syndrome is associated with clinical conditions that affect other organs such as the kidneys, liver or heart.

“The syndrome can be caused by the malfunction of the kidneys, liver or heart or when the body has an imbalance in the biochemical forces that are responsible for the liquids in the blood vessels”, explains Focássio.

3. What are the symptoms and how is the diagnosis made?

Christian Morinaga, medical manager of the emergency room at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, in São Paulo explains that the diagnosis can be done from the medical evaluation.

“The manifestation is swelling, but not all swelling represents edema. Edema is an accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissue, under the skin. Generally what a person looks like is swelling that can be generalized or localized,” she says.

According to the specialist, one of the indications of the clinical examination is, when pressing the swelling region with the finger, the doctor realizes that the tissue takes time to return to normal.

4. How is the treatment done?

Experts say that the edemigenic syndrome can be treated.

“Treatment is done by managing the edema, which can be through the use of medication to remove excess fluid. It is also worth remembering that the edemigenic syndrome can also be caused by an underlying disease”, says Focássio.

Doctor Christian Morinaga points out that in addition to treating edema, it is important to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of the syndrome, such as heart, kidney or liver problems.

5. What are the risks of complications?

“Among the main risks of complications is that an untreated edema can cause the accumulated liquid to detach from the tissues, and can cause death. This is why treatment is so essential, which can be done using medication to remove excess fluid, but it is also worth remembering that the edemigenic syndrome can also be caused by an underlying disease”, says Focássio.