What is the most common therapy used to treat peripheral edema?

Diuretics are the most common therapy used to treat peripheral edema because they help the body eliminate excess fluid. Peripheral edema occurs when there is an accumulation of fluid in the tissues, often due to issues like heart failure, kidney disease, or certain medications. Diuretics work by promoting urination, which increases sodium and water excretion from the kidneys, thereby reducing fluid retention in the body. This reduction in fluid volume can significantly alleviate the swelling associated with peripheral edema.

Other treatments, while potentially important for managing underlying causes of edema, do not directly address fluid retention. Antibiotics are used primarily to treat infections; analgesics manage pain; and antihypertensives are prescribed to control high blood pressure, but they don’t specifically target fluid accumulation in tissues. Thus, diuretics are specifically indicated for the management of edema, making them the most common and effective approach for this condition.