Edema

Causes

Edema occurs when the capillaries leak fluid into surrounding tissue. Several factors can contribute to capillary leakage, including: 

• Elevated blood pressure
• Sitting or standing for prolonged periods
• Injury
• Infection 
• Sepsis
• Allergic reaction
• Severe protein deficiency
• Medication side effects
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Pregnancy
• Liver or kidney disease
• High sodium diet

Edema can indicate a serious underlying medical condition, such as liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, deep vein thrombosis, or nephrotic syndrome. 

Symptoms

Symptoms of edema include: 

• Noticeable swelling or puffiness
• Swollen, stretched, shiny skin
• Pitting ( pressing on the area leaves an indentation that takes several seconds to disappear) 
• Restricted movement or stiffness in the affected area 
• Bloated abdomen 
• Discomfort or pain localized to the affected area.
• Limbs feeling heavy

In severe cases, edema can result in difficulty breathing, chest pain, and an increased risk of infection. The swelling can also block or restrict blood circulation. 

Treatment

Since edema frequently indicates underlying medical conditions like congestive heart failure, liver impairment, or renal disease, effective treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis of the root cause. Treatment for mild edema cases may include dietary changes, exercise, or compression garments. More severe cases may require thoracentesis or paracentesis to remove excess fluid.