Description

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the tissues of the body. The Edema can affect any part of the body. But it is more likely to show up in the legs and feet.

Medications and pregnancy can cause edema. It can also be the result of a disease, such as congestive heart failure, renal disease, venous insufficiency or cirrhosis of the liver.

Use compression garments and reduction of salt in the diet often relieves edema. When a disease that causes edema disease, treatment needs, as well.

Symptoms

The symptoms of edema are:

  • Inflammation or swelling in the tissue just under the skin, especially in the legs or arms.
  • Stretched or shiny skin.
  • The skin has a dimple, also known as stings, after being pressed for a few seconds.
  • Swelling of the belly, also called the abdomen, so that it is larger than usual.
  • A feeling of heaviness of the legs.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment to see a health care provider for the swelling, stretched or shiny skin, or skin that has a dimple after being pressed. See a doctor immediately if:

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Irregular beating of the heart.
  • Pain in the chest.

These may be signs of fluid buildup in the lungs, also known as pulmonary edema. It can be life-threatening and needs prompt treatment.

After sitting for a long time, such as on a long plane flight, call your health care provider if you get leg pain and swelling does not go away. Especially if the pain and swelling on the one hand, these may be symptoms of a blood clot in a deep vein, also known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT.

Causes

Edema occurs when the small blood vessels in the body, also known as capillaries, fluid leakage. The fluid accumulates in the tissues nearby. The leak leads to the inflammation.

Causes of mild cases of edema are:

  • Sitting or staying in one position for too long.
  • Eating too many salty foods.
  • Are premenstrual.
  • The fact of being pregnant.

Edema can also be a side effect of some medications. These include:

  • High blood pressure medications.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Steroids.
  • Estrogen.
  • Certain diabetes medications called thiazolidinediones.
  • The use of medications to treat nerve pain.

Sometimes the swelling can be a sign of a more serious condition. Diseases that can cause edema include:

  • Congestive heart failure.Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the lower chambers of the heart ceases to pump blood well. As a result, the blood can be performed on the legs, ankles and feet, causing edema. Congestive heart failure can also cause inflammation in the stomach area. This condition can also cause the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Known as pulmonary edema, this can lead to shortness of breath.
  • Damage in the liver. This liver damage due to cirrhosis can cause accumulation of fluid in the stomach area. and in the legs. This accumulation of fluid in the stomach area, which is known as ascites.
  • Kidney disease. The kidney disease can cause the fluid and salts in the blood to collect. Edema associated with kidney disease usually occurs in the legs and around the eyes.
  • The kidney damage. Damage to the small, filtering of blood vessels in the kidneys can result in the nephrotic syndrome. In nephrotic syndrome, the decreased levels of protein in the blood, which can lead to edema.
  • Weakness or damage to the veins in the legs. This condition, known as chronic venous insufficiency, can damage the one-way valves in the leg. One-way valves keep blood flowing in a single direction. The damage of the valve allows the blood to pool in the veins of the legs and causes swelling.
  • The deep vein thrombosis, also called dvt. Sudden swelling in one leg with pain in the calf muscle may be due to a blood clot in one of the veins of the legs. DVT requires immediate medical assistance.
  • Problems with the system in the body that removes excess fluid from the tissues. If the body of the lymphatic system is damaged, as for example, cancer surgery, the lymphatic system could not drain well.
  • Serious, long-term lack of protein. An extreme lack of protein in the diet over time can lead to edema.

Congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure causes one or both of the lower chambers of the heart ceases to pump blood well. As a result, the blood can be performed on the legs, ankles and feet, causing edema.

Congestive heart failure can also cause inflammation in the stomach area. This condition can also cause the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Known as pulmonary edema, this can lead to shortness of breath.

Risk factors

The following factors increase the risk of edema:

  • The fact of being pregnant.
  • Taking certain medicines.
  • Have a long-term illness, such as congestive heart failure or liver or kidney disease.
  • Have a surgery that consists of a lymph node.

Complications

If left untreated, the swelling can cause:

  • The swelling that gets more and more painful.
  • Problems with walking.
  • Stiffness.
  • It stretches the skin, which may itch.
  • Increased risk of infection in the swollen area.
  • Scars between the layers of tissue.
  • Less blood flow.
  • Less ability of the arteries, veins, joints and muscles to stretch out.
  • Increase the risk of ulcers of the skin.

Diagnosis

To understand the cause of your edema, a health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your medical history. This might be enough to find out the cause. Sometimes, the diagnosis may require blood tests, ultrasound examinations, vein, studies, or other.

Treatment

Mild edema usually goes away on its own. Use compression garments and raise the affected arm or leg higher than the heart to help.

Medications that help the body get rid of excess fluid through the urine can treat the worst forms of edema. One of the most common of these water pills, also known as diuretics is furosemide (Lasix). A health care provider can decide about the need of water pills.

The treatment of the cause of the swelling is often the focus over time. If the edema is a result of the drugs, for example, a service provider may change the dose or search for another medication that does not cause edema.

Lifestyle and home remedies

The following may help to lessen the swelling and keep it from coming back. Talk with your health care provider about which of these might help you.

  • The use of pressure.If the edema affecting an arm or a leg, wearing compression stockings, sleeves or gloves could be of help. These garments keep the pressure on the limbs to prevent fluid from building up. Usually used after the swelling goes down, they help prevent more swelling. For people who are pregnant, wear support stockings for a plane ride can help.
  • Move. Moving and using the muscles of the part of the body that is swollen, especially the legs, could help move the fluid back towards the heart. A health care provider can talk about exercises that may reduce the swelling.
  • Elevate. Keep the swollen part of the body above the level of the heart several times a day. Sometimes, increasing the area of the swelling during sleep may be useful.
  • The massage. Stroking the affected area towards the heart through the firm, but not painful, pressure, can help to move the fluid out of that area.
  • Protect. Keep the swollen area clean and free of injury. Use a lotion or cream. Dry, cracked skin is more open to scrapes, cuts and infection. Always wear socks or shoes on your feet, if the swelling is usually.
  • Reduce the intake of salt. A health care provider can talk to the limitation of the salt. The salt can increase the accumulation of liquids and worsen edema.

The use of pressure. If the edema affecting an arm or a leg, wearing compression stockings, sleeves or gloves could be of help. These garments keep the pressure on the limbs to prevent fluid from building up. Usually used after the swelling goes down, they help prevent more swelling.

For people who are pregnant, wear support stockings for a plane ride can help.

Preparing for your appointment

Unless we are already seeing a health care provider for a condition such as pregnancy, is likely to start by seeing your family provider.

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any thing that you need to do before the appointment. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do to prepare. For example, you may need to fast before certain tests.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that may seem to have nothing to do with the reason why you made the appointment. Note when the onset of symptoms.
  • Make a list of your key medical information, such as other conditions that you have. List of medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including dosage.
  • Make a list of questions to ask your provider. Bring something to write on or a tape recorder to get the answers.
  • Take photos on your phone. If the inflammation becomes much worse at night, may help your health care provider to see how bad it gets.

For edema, some questions may include:

  • What are the possible causes of the symptoms?
  • What tests do I need? How do I prepare for them?
  • Is my condition long-term or temporary?
  • What treatments, if any, is it recommended?
  • I have other medical problems. How can I manage these conditions?
  • Do you have brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask you questions, such as:

  • Do your symptoms come and go, or are they always there?
  • Has had edema before?
  • Are you short of breath?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • There is less swelling after a night of rest?
  • Does anything make your symptoms worse?
  • What types of foods you eat regularly?
  • How to restrict the salt and salty foods?
  • Do you drink alcohol?
  • Is urinating as much as usual?
The symptoms and treatment of Edema