An edema is a health condition in which the fluid remains blocked in the body tissues. This health condition can negatively affect any body part but mostly happens in the feet and legs.
In most cases, this disease occurs due to medications and pregnancy. In addition, certain health conditions can also provoke edema including congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency, liver disease (such as cirrhosis), and others.
Compression clothes and decreasing salt in your diet usually help to reduce edema. In case you have edema caused by a health condition, you will need treatment for the underlying condition.
Symptoms
- Pitting (when the skin holds a dimple) after pressing for several seconds
- Shiny and stretched skin
- The feeling of leg heaviness
- Abdominal swelling
- Puffiness and swelling of the tissue under the skin (especially in arms or legs)
It is advised to contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms. For example trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain.
Furthermore, previous symptoms may be a sign of pulmonary edema (when fluid builds up in the lungs). This condition is dangerous and needs immediate medical care.
You should also contact your healthcare professional right away if pain and swelling do not go away after a long sitting (such as a long flight). These symptoms do not disappear because you may have a blood clot deep in the vein (deep vein thrombosis or DVT).
Causes
This health condition usually appears when capillaries (small blood vessels) begin to leak fluid. As a result, it builds up in the tissues and leads to swelling. Check below some causes of mild edema:
- Pregnancy
- Premenstrual period
- Consuming too much salty food
- Staying or sitting in one position for a long time
Additionally, edema can also occur due to some medications. For example:
- Medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Drugs used to treat nerve pain and diabetes (known as Thiazolidinediones)
- Estrogens
- Steroid medicines
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
In some cases, people can experience edema due to a serious health problem. Check below some of them:
- Congestive heart failure – This is a condition in which the heart’s lower chambers stop pumping blood properly. Thus, the blood can return to the ankles, feet, and legs provoking edema. Moreover, this disease can provoke a condition known as pulmonary edema (it occurs when the fluid builds up in the lungs).
- Liver damage – When damage to the liver occurs, it may lead to edema in the stomach area and legs. In such cases, fluid buildup in the stomach region is called ascites.
- Kidney disease or damage – When edema is associated with kidney disease the fluid buildup happens in the legs and around the eyes. Additionally, damage to the blood vessels in the kidneys can provoke a health condition known as nephrotic syndrome. Therefore, it leads to a reduced amount of protein in the blood, which leads to edema.
- Vein weakness of damage in the legs – This is a disease known as chronic venous insufficiency.
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – Painful and sudden swelling in one leg may be a symptom of a blood clot in the leg veins. However, it is a medical emergency and you should get medical care as soon as possible.
- Long-term lack of protein – If you are not getting enough protein from food, over time it can lead to edema.
- Lymphatic system problems – When damage occurs to the lymphatic system, the body cannot get rid of extra fluids. Damage to the lymphatic system usually happens due to cancer surgery.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop edema but the following factors could increase your risk. Examples include:
- Surgery that involves lymph nodes
- Those who suffer from a disease for long periods (such as congestive heart failure, liver or kidney disease, and others)
- Pregnancy
- Certain medications
What Are The Possible Complications of Edema?
If you ignore this condition and do not receive treatment, it may lead to some complications. Check below some of them:
- Walking problems
- Stiffness
- Progressive painful swelling
- Itchy and stretched skin
- Increased risk of infection in the swollen area
- Scarring between tissue layers
- Reduced blood flow
- Elevated skin ulcer risk
- Decreased ability of veins, arteries, joints, and muscles to stretch
If you suspect you have any of the complications listed above, discuss it with your doctor right away.
Diagnosis
To identify the exact edema cause, doctors will perform a physical examination and ask you some questions about symptoms and medical history. Sometimes, it may be not enough and you should do some additional tests. For example blood tests, ultrasound examinations, vein studies, and others.
Treatment
People with mild edema usually do not need treatment and wearing compression clothes and raising the affected leg or arm higher than the heart usually helps to get rid of fluid buildup. Furthermore, physicians may prescribe some medicines to help get rid of extra fluid from the body. One of the most commonly prescribed medicines by doctors is the diuretic Furosemide.
The treatment goal is usually to treat the underlying cause of edema. For instance, if medications provoke this condition, your doctor may reduce the dose or even change the medicine.
Home Remedies
There are some tips that could help you to prevent the recurrence of edema. Examples include:
- It is advised to wear compression stockings, sleeves, or gloves because they can help to prevent edema.
- Another way to relieve and prevent edema is movement using the swollen body part. Discuss with your doctor about exercises that can help to lessen swelling.
- You can also raise the swollen body parts above the heart level 2-3 times during the day.
- In some cases, stroking the swollen body part can help to remove fluid from that area.
- Avoid injuries and keep clean the affected area. Otherwise, you may experience certain infections.
- You should also reduce the amount of salt in your diet. This mineral can contribute to or even worsen edema.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main causes of edema?
Mostly, this health problem occurs due to the following causes. For example:
- Certain medications
- Obesity
- Infections
- Increased salt intake
- Sitting or staying in the same position for a long time
- Heart, liver, or kidney disease
- Allergies
- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Pregnancy
- Blood clots
If you experience swelling in specific body parts (especially in the legs or arms), you should see a doctor immediately.
What foods could help with edema?
- Squash
- Bell peppers
- Green beans
- Cherries
- Tomatoes
- Grapes
- Beets
- Blueberries and others
For more details, discuss it with your doctor.
How common is edema?
In most cases, edema occurs in pregnant women and people over 65 years old. If you have any other questions, ask your healthcare professional.
