Periodic Edema (Noun)
Meaning
Recurrent large circumscribed areas of subcutaneous edema; onset is sudden and it disappears within 24 hours; seen mainly in young women, often as an allergic reaction to food or drugs.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The sudden appearance of periodic edema on her face and arms made her rush to the emergency room, fearing a severe allergic reaction.
- Her doctor had to repeatedly reassure her that periodic edema was generally harmless and would dissipate on its own within a day.
- After keeping a food diary for several weeks, she discovered that her periodic edema was triggered by eating shellfish.
- The young woman was instructed by her doctor to watch for signs of periodic edema after being prescribed the new medication.
- Researchers are still studying the causes and correlations of periodic edema, but it is often seen as a response to environmental allergens or irritants.