Edema
Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body’s tissues. Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs.
Edema can be the result of medication, pregnancy or an underlying disease — often congestive heart failure, kidney disease or cirrhosis of the liver.
Taking medication to remove excess fluid and reducing the amount of salt in your food often relieves edema. When edema is a sign of an underlying disease, the disease itself requires separate treatment.
*Source: American Heart Association
Still have questions?
The location of the edema can help with determining the cause. Generalized edema is most commonly caused by heart failure,
liver failure, and kidney disease. Localized edema such as swelling in one or both legs can be caused by a blood clot in the vein, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or another venous disorder such as chronic venous insufficiency (varicose veins).
Laboratory and imaging tests are often used to determine the causes of edema. These tests include blood and urine analysis, ultrasound scans of the heart, abdomen and veins of the lower extremities.
Treatment is based on the cause of the edema and its location. Patients with generalized edema due to heart failure or liver failure benefit from restriction of dietary sodium and usage of diuretics (also known as water pills) to help the body eliminate excess fluid. Leg edema due to chronic venous insufficiency (varicose veins) is managed with compression stockings, exercise, leg elevation and diuretics. Leg swelling due to DVT is managed with blood thinners. Contact your doctor or health care professional for expert advice if you experience edema.
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