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Edema – Symptoms, Common Causes, and Management

Edema is swelling brought on by excessive fluid trapped in the body’s tissues. Here, small blood vessels begin leaking fluid into nearby tissues. This issue may affect any part of the body but is most likely to show up in the legs and feet. Apart from visible puffiness, the symptoms of edema can vary depending on the affected region.

Edema – Symptoms, Common Causes, and Management
Learning about the symptoms and causes of edema can help one seek appropriate treatment for the issue .

Symptoms
While the precise effects of edema vary according to the affected region, the condition typically has a few telltale signs.

  • Stretched or shiny skin
  • Skin that holds a dimple (pitting) after it has been pressed for a few seconds
  • Swelling of the abdomen, which may look bigger than usual
  • Heaviness in the legs

Conditions that can cause edema
There are a few underlying health conditions that cause edema. So, when seeking treatment for the swelling, the underlying condition will be first targeted to relieve edema symptoms.

1. Congestive heart failure
This condition makes one or both of the heart’s lower chambers stop pumping blood. As a result, the blood may back up in the ankles, feet, legs, and even the stomach, leading to edema. Congestive heart failure may also lead to fluid buildup in the lungs (called pulmonary edema), causing shortness of breath.

2. Liver damage
This condition may also cause fluid buildup in the stomach and the legs. Liver damage brought on by cirrhosis ( scarring of the liver ) is responsible for edema, as the scarring can cause hypertension, increasing pressure in the vein that brings blood to the liver. This additional pressure may cause fluid to accumulate in the legs.

3. Kidney disease
Another common cause of edema is kidney disease or any damage to the organ. Kidneys are responsible for getting rid of excess water as well as waste from the blood and produce urine. However, a damaged kidney cannot carry out these functions as it normally would. As a result, fluid and salts can accumulate in the blood, causing edema in the knees and around the eyes. Even damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys may result in an issue called nephrotic syndrome, which makes the kidneys filter out too much protein through urination. This leads to reduced levels of protein in the blood, which causes fluid to leak out of the vessels into the nearby tissues.

4. Deep vein thrombosis
One of the most common causes of edema in adults is deep vein thrombosis .  One may develop this condition when a blood clot (thrombus) develops in the deep veins in the body, typically in the legs. This can cause swelling along with pain in the calf muscle.

Other causes of edema
In addition to certain health conditions, a few lifestyle-, personal health-, and environment-related factors can increase the risk of edema.

1. Prolonged lack of movement
If one spends time sitting or standing in one place for too long, fluids can naturally move down into the arms, legs, and feet. This is what often causes edema in the legs and ankles.

2. Poor nutrition
The nutrition derived from food plays an essential role in managing overall well-being. So, a poorly balanced meal regimen, especially one rich in salt, can cause fluid to build up in different parts of the body , triggering edema.

3. Compromised immunity
Those with a weak immune system may be more prone to frequent complications like allergic reactions, infections, and burns or clots. All of these issues are known triggers for edema. So, if one notices these issues frequently, they must consult a licensed healthcare professional to prevent complications like edema.

4. Age
As one gets older, the risk of certain health complications like edema is known to increase.

5. Cancer
Certain forms of cancer can increase substances in the bloodstream that cause clotting. This can trigger edema.

Management options
Upon noticing swelling anywhere in the body, one must get examined by a licensed healthcare professional who will offer a diagnosis . Once edema is confirmed, the professional may recommend a few options based on the type of edema. A treatment plan here would typically consist of options that target the underlying cause as well as symptoms. For instance, edema related to heart or kidney-related issues will require treatments that target these organs and restore their normal functioning.

  • If one is dealing with lung disease, which is determined to be the cause of edema, one may be asked to make lifestyle changes, including letting go of certain unhealthy habits that harm respiratory health.
  • If the edema coincides with chronic heart failure, the healthcare professional might recommend measures like monitoring fluid and salt intake.
  • If an ongoing prescription treatment is responsible for edema, the professional might recommend stopping it and switching to alternatives.

In addition to the treatment options above, those at risk of edema may also be asked to take a few preventive measures to prevent fluid buildup.

  • Place a pillow under the legs to keep them elevated above the level of the heart.
  • Avoid sitting or standing for longer periods without moving. Go for short walks.
  • Wear support socks, sleeves, or stockings, which can apply pressure on parts of the body to keep fluids from accumulating in the at-risk region. Wearing specialized shoes is an option for those who experience chronic edema.
  • Limit salt intake.

Generally, following lifestyle changes and treatment measures recommended by a licensed healthcare professional can help one keep any swelling in check. Additionally, 

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