Edema: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
List of Pertinent Information on Edema (without duplication):
– Edema is a condition characterized by swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues.
– It commonly affects the legs and feet.
– Causes of edema include medications, pregnancy, or underlying diseases.
– Underlying diseases associated with edema include congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency, and liver cirrhosis.
– Symptoms of edema include swelling or puffiness of the skin, stretched or shiny skin, retention of a dimple after being pressed, swelling of the abdomen, and a feeling of leg heaviness.
– Immediate medical attention is necessary for symptoms such as shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and persistent leg pain and swelling, especially if it is on one side.
– Symptoms like shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, or chest pain can indicate pulmonary edema, a life-threatening condition.
– Leg pain and swelling that does not go away, particularly if it is on one side, may be symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and should be addressed by a healthcare provider.
– Edema occurs when capillaries leak fluid, causing swelling.
– Causes of mild edema include sitting for too long, eating salty food, being premenstrual, or being pregnant.
– Medications that can cause edema include high blood pressure medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines, steroid medicines, estrogens, certain diabetes medicines, and nerve pain medicines.
– Edema can be a sign of more serious conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver damage (cirrhosis), kidney disease, damage to the veins in the legs (chronic venous insufficiency), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
– Other factors that can cause edema are blood clots in the leg veins (deep vein thrombosis), problems with the lymphatic system, and severe protein deficiency.
– Risk factors for edema include pregnancy, certain medications, long-lasting illnesses like congestive heart failure or liver/kidney disease, and surgeries involving lymph nodes.
– If left untreated, edema can lead to complications.