Edema swelling Symptoms

Edema, also known as oedema, dropsy and hydropsy, is an accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues, which leads to swelling. Although edema can occur in any part of your body, it usually affects the hands, ankles, legs and feet. About 4.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from edema.

Common signs and symptoms of edema include swelling, puffiness, stretched or shiny skin, and dimpling of the skin after being pressed for a few seconds.

Mild cases of edema may result from sitting or staying in one position for many hours, a surgical procedure, high salt intake, malnutrition, insect bites, premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy.

Edema can also be a pulmonary issue, with a cough being the primary symptom. When a patient has constant swelling in a certain part of the body, a doctor needs to be consulted as soon as possible. The patient will likely be treated with diuretics to rid the body of extra fluids through urination. It is also really common for edema to be a symptom of renal problems. When a person suffers from kidney failure, he or she loses the capacity to filter out the water in the blood and as a result the person produces less urine. Edema as a result of kidney failure can lead to a progressive swelling in the limbs, which is one of the most notable symptoms.

Sometimes it can be a side effect of medications, including high blood pressure medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid drugs, estrogens and diabetes medications.

In some cases, edema may be a sign of a serious health problem, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, cirrhosis, cancer, arthritis, thyroid disease, deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency and an allergic reaction.

Certain factors can increase your risk of developing edema. These include hypertension, kidney disease, excessive drinking, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and past surgeries involving removal of lymph nodes.

This condition can affect anyone and its treatment will depend on what type of edema you suffer from. It can be a serious health problem for anyone who suffers from it. It is also related to fatal conditions such as heart and kidney failure, which are two of the main causes of edema. This symptom requires immediate attention since if it is left unattended it can result in death.