What is 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.
Symptoms
Signs of edema include:
- Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin
- Stretched or shiny skin
- Skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds
- Increased abdominal size
Causes
Edema occurs when tiny blood vessels in your body (capillaries) leak fluid. The fluid builds up in surrounding tissues, leading to swelling.
Mild cases of edema may result from:
- Sitting or staying in one position for too long
- Eating too much salty food
- Having premenstrual signs and symptoms
- Being pregnant
- Edema can also be a side effect of some medications.
In some cases, however, edema may be a sign of a more serious underlying medical condition. Several diseases and conditions may cause edema, including:
- Congestive heart failure.
- Cirrhosis.
- Kidney disease.
- Kidney damage.
- Weakness or damage to veins in your legs.
- Inadequate lymphatic system.
- Severe, long-term protein deficiency.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/edema/symptoms-causes/syc-20366493
