Medication
You may:
- Be tired
- Gain weight rapidly (this may be a sign of fluid buildup and congestive heart failure)
- Have more breathing problems than usual when you’re active
- Have swollen legs and feet
- Have trouble breathing when lying down
- Wake up at night with a breathless feeling that gets better if you sit up
- Wheeze
Self-care
Some of the most common side effects of edema:
- Puffiness in the body
- Abnormal abdominal bloating
- Swelling of a particular body part (localized edema)
- Swelling throughout the body (generalized edema)
Nutrition
If you have edema in your legs, ankles, or feet, try lying on the floor in front of a wall and rest your legs up against the wall. Maintain the position for 10-15 minutes while breathing deeply. Keep in mind that even if you are able to eliminate your edema by elevating your leg, that doesn't mean you've cured it—it'll still come back if you haven't treated whatever is causing it to happen. [4]
Specialist To Consult
What is the prognosis of pulmonary edema? Pulmonary edema can sometimes cause death. The outlook improves if you get treated quickly. Treatment for pulmonary edema varies depending on the cause but generally includes supplemental oxygen and medications.
How can you tell if someone has edema?
What are the dangers of edema?
What to do if you have edema?
What is the prognosis of edema?
What does edema skin look like?
Signs of edema include: Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin, especially in your legs or arms. Stretched or shiny skin. Skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds.
What causes skin edema?
Underlying medical conditions: Conditions like heart failure and lung, liver, kidney and thyroid diseases have edema as a symptom. Side effects from medication: Some drugs, like blood pressure or pain management medications, have edema as a side effect.
What happens if edema left untreated?
If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation.
Can a dermatologist treat edema?
At MD Vein & Skin Specialists, dermatologist and phlebologist Clement Banda, MD, RPhS, can search for the cause of your edema and get adverse symptoms under control. If you've been experiencing any uncomfortable swelling, contact us as soon as possible for an evaluation.
How can I treat edema at home?
The Best Home Remedies to Treat Edema in Legs and FeetStay Hydrated. ... Soak Your Legs in a Salt Bath. ... Eliminate Suspected Food Allergies. ... Invest in Compression Socks. ... Get Moving. ... Reduce Salt Intake. ... Try Lymphatic Drainage. ... Elevate Your Feet.More items...•
What are the three main causes of edema?
Medications, pregnancy, infections, and many other medical problems can cause edema. Edema happens when your small blood vessels leak fluid into nearby tissues. That extra fluid builds up, which makes the tissue swell. It can happen almost anywhere in the body.
What kind of doctor should I see for edema?
If you experience swelling that does not go away on its own, make an appointment to see your primary doctor. If the issue doesn't improve, ask your doctor for a referral to a vascular specialist.
How do you know when edema is serious?
Seek medical care immediately if your edema is suddenly worse, painful, new, or if it's associated with chest pain or trouble breathing. The latter may be a sign of pulmonary edema, a serious medical condition in which the lung cavities fill with fluid.
Does drinking water help edema?
Although prescription medications and creams can treat edema, it is essential to drink enough water. When your body is not hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it already has to make up for the lack of incoming water, thus contributing to swelling.
How do I get rid of edema ASAP?
Lifestyle and home remediesMovement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. ... Elevation. ... Massage. ... Compression. ... Protection. ... Reduce salt intake.
Is edema caused by poor circulation?
Poor circulation caused by vascular disease contributes to edema, making it difficult for the body to move fluid out of the legs. Some underlying vascular conditions trigger edema are: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – A serious condition in which a blood clot forms deep inside leg veins.
Does heat or cold help edema?
Even quite significant edema will settle down within a relatively short time. Ice or cool packs have not been proven to reduce swelling; however, many leading practitioners would advocate the use of ice packs9,13 or warm compresses to minimize erythema, edema, and tenderness14.
How do you know when edema is serious?
Seek medical care immediately if your edema is suddenly worse, painful, new, or if it's associated with chest pain or trouble breathing. The latter may be a sign of pulmonary edema, a serious medical condition in which the lung cavities fill with fluid.
What cancers cause edema?
Some types of cancer, like kidney, liver, and ovarian cancers, are more likely to cause edema. Chemotherapy. Some types of chemotherapy, including cisplatin and docetaxel (Taxotere), can cause edema.
Can dehydration cause edema?
Swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) Sometimes, when you're getting fluids again after being dehydrated, the body tries to pull too much water back into your cells. This can cause some cells to swell and rupture. The consequences are especially grave when brain cells are affected.
Does drinking water help edema?
Although prescription medications and creams can treat edema, it is essential to drink enough water. When your body is not hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it already has to make up for the lack of incoming water, thus contributing to swelling.
What do doctors do when you have edema?
Your doctor will ask you questions, conduct a full exam, and might order tests to determine why you have edema.
How to tell if you have edema?
Signs that you might have edema include the following: The affected area is swollen. The skin over the swollen area might look stretched and shiny. Pushing in gently on the swollen area with your finger for at least 5 seconds and then removing your finger will leave a dimple in the skin.
What causes swelling in the body?
Edema. Edema is swelling that is caused by fluid trapped in your body’s tissues. Causes include diseases, medications and allergies. Treatment involves lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. Overview.
Why does water get pulled down into my legs?
Water naturally gets pulled down into your legs and feet. Edema can happen from a weakening in the valves of the veins in the legs (a condition called venous insufficiency). This problem makes it hard ...
How to keep your legs elevated?
Put a pillow under your legs when you are lying down or sitting for prolonged periods. (Keep your legs elevated above the level of your heart.)
What is the best way to get rid of fluid in your body?
Follow your doctor’s directions for taking prescription medications. Your doctor might want you to take a diuretic (commonly called a "water pill"), which helps your body get rid of excess fluid. Protect any swollen areas from additional pressure, injury, and extreme temperatures.
What to wear to keep fluids from collecting in legs?
Wear support stockings, which put pressure on your legs and keep fluids from collecting in your legs and ankles. These stockings can be purchased at most drugstores.
What is edema?
Edema is a health condition in which your legs swell and it might also affect your feet and ankles. This condition has a range of potential causes, including the leaking of fluids from your veins. Poor circulation brought on by varicose veins or similar conditions may lead to edema. The result of this buildup of fluids is pain and discomfort.
What are the signs of edema?
If you have swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet but haven’t suffered an injury, you may have edema. Here are some signs that may indicate edema: Swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet. Puffiness in your face and hands. Trouble walking due to swelling.
What does it mean when your legs are swollen?
If you’re experiencing swelling in your legs and ankles, you could have a condition known as edema. Swelling from edema ranges from mild to severe, and it often leads to trouble walking. Edema may even make it difficult to breathe. Some patients report their symptoms are so severe that they limit or stop their regular day-to-day activities.
Why do you need to see a specialist for veins?
Because there are so many reasons that extra fluid builds up in the tissues of your body, you should see a specialist like Dr. Banda, who can evaluate the health of your veins. Using color duplex ultrasound technology, Dr. Banda determines if a venous issue is causing your edema.
How to tell if you have edema?
If you have swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet but haven’t suffered an injury, you may have edema. Here are some signs that may indicate edema: 1 Swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet 2 Puffiness in your face and hands 3 Trouble walking due to swelling 4 Difficult breathing 5 Swollen skin that’s stretched out and shiny 6 Dimpling when you push on the swollen area with your finger
Is edema a lifelong condition?
Each case is different, so edema can be a lifelong or temporary problem. Treating edema begins with treating the underlying condition that is causing it. If left untreated, your skin may continue to stretch, causing discomfort and other health problems. If you’re pregnant or have trouble breathing, call us immediately.
How to get rid of edema?
Here are a few other things you can try to ease edema: Eat a wide variety of healthy foods, avoiding packaged and processed foods that are high in salt. Get a moderate amount of exercise, which can help prevent swelling due to inactivity. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.
How to treat edema in legs?
It’s important that your doctor identify the cause of your edema so that it can be treated properly. Temporary edema can often be improved by reducing your salt intake and keeping your legs up when sitting.
What is the condition called when you have a lot of salt in your legs?
Depending on the location, any surgery that involves removal of lymph nodes can result in edema. This form of edema is known as lymphedema . A poor diet, especially one containing too much salt, can cause mild edema.
What is edema in feet?
Overview. Edema, called dropsy long ago, is swelling caused by fluid retention. This condition usually occurs in your feet, legs, or ankles. However, it can also occur in your hands, your face, or any other part of the body. Treatment varies depending on the cause.
How to treat varicose veins?
Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Wear support stockings. Try acupuncture or massage. Use grape seed extract, which may lower blood pressure and help alleviate edema related to varicose veins and poor vein function. Before trying grape seed extract, make sure you speak with your doctor to see if it’s safe for you.
How to prevent edema?
To prevent edema, stay as physically active as you’re able, avoid excess sodium in your diet, and follow your doctor’s orders regarding any conditions that cause edema. Last medically reviewed on September 19, 2019.
Can compression stockings help with edema?
Compression stockings or sleeves can also be useful. Medication-induced edema. Diuretics won’t work in these cases. Your medication may need to be changed or discontinued. Seek medical care immediately if your edema is suddenly worse, painful, new, or if it’s associated with chest pain or trouble breathing.
How to treat edema?
The only treatment for edema is to treat the underlying condition. Temporary edema can often be improved by reducing the amount of salt in the patient’s diet. The doctor may prescribe a diuretic (water pill) to help flush extra fluid out of the body by increasing the rate of urine production.
What Is Edema?
Edema is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body leading to swelling which can create pain. It is a common problem that can affect any part of the body, but most commonly affects the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and arms. Edema can be a sign of a serious condition. Although it is most often confined to a small area, edema can affect the entire body.
What is the best treatment for varicose veins?
Endovenous ablation (also called Endovenous Thermal Ablation or Venus Ablation) is a frequently used method for treating varicose veins which can also help treat edema. There are three types of endovenous ablation treatments for varicose veins that can be performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient setting:
What does edema mean in medical terms?
The word “edema” comes from a Greek word meaning “swelling.”. Medically, it refers to any swelling or puffiness in the body that is caused by fluid retention. The Lakeland pain management doctors at the Novus Spine & Pain Center vein clinic specialize in treating the pain of edema with cutting-edge therapies.
Why does my ankle swell?
The swelling can be the result of a twisted ankle, a bee sting, or a skin infection. In some cases, like an infection, edema helps the body heal by bringing more infection-fighting white blood cells to the swollen area. In some cases, however, edema may be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition.
What is edema in legs?
Edema can be an external sign of venous insufficiency (a vein problem). Patients with vein-related symptoms can experience chronic pain and discomfort as well as, leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg swelling, itching, or leg cramping.
Why does edema occur?
In some cases, however, edema may be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition. Edema can be the result of an imbalance of substances in the blood. Other causes include: Allergic reactions. In response to an allergen, nearby blood vessels leak fluid into the affected area.
How to prevent edema?
incorporation of zero to less sodium intake in daily diet is the best method to prevent and treat edema as salt contributes to fluid retention and increases the risk of worsening the condition.
How to tell if you have edema?
Most of the time, affected area would look shiny, swollen and puffy. Early signs include transparent or yellowish fluid coming out in the affected areas. But there are also instances where these aren’t obvious.
What is it called when you have a lot of fluid in your body?
Weeping Edema. Weeping Edema or commonly called “swelling” is defined as the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues. This is often brought about by a serious medical condition and is a alarming and life threatening.
Why does albumin cause edema?
This contributes to edema because albumin acts like a sponge in the blood. When these blood proteins are low, fluids are not contained in the blood vessels thus swelling occurs.
Why does fluid accumulate in the legs?
If heart pumps blood insufficiently, back flow occurs thus fluid accumulates in the distal areas such as the legs because the heart is no longer able to pump it back to the chest. This eventually leads to leg edema. However, when the opposite occurs and there is too much pumping, blood is not equally distributed in the distal areas thus they are contained in the chest eventually causing pulmonary edema or swelling of the lungs.
What is the most common sign of edema?
Weight gain is the most common sign of edema as this is a result of fluid build-up in the body.
How to reduce swelling in heart?
Slow and soft massage on the affected area towards the heart may also reduce swelling. Use of compression stockings is recommended too because it lessens pressure on the affected area and prevent fluid accumulation in the tissue.
