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Chapters

0:00 Introduction
1:24 Cut back on sodium
1:38 Drink more water
1:59 Increase potassium intake
2:15 Elevate your feet
2:32 Walk around
2:47 Reduce your caffeine intake
3:02 Wear loose clothing


Specialty Cardiology, nephrology
Symptoms Skin which feels tight, area may feel heavy[1]
Usual onset Sudden or gradual[2]
Types Generalized, localized[2]
Causes Venous insufficiency, heart failure, kidney problems, low protein levels, liver problems, deep vein thrombosis, lymphedema[1][2]
Diagnostic method Based on a physical exam[3]
Treatment Based on cause[2]

Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue.[1] Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected.[1] Symptoms may include skin which feels tight, the area may feel heavy, and joint stiffness.[1] Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause.[2]

Causes may include venous insufficiency, heart failure, kidney problems, low protein levels, liver problems, deep vein thrombosis, infections, angioedema, certain medications, and lymphedema.[1][2] It may also occur after prolonged sitting or standing and during menstruation or pregnancy.[1] The condition is more concerning if it starts suddenly, or pain or shortness of breath is present.[2]

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.[2] If the underlying mechanism involves sodium retention, decreased salt intake and a diuretic may be used.[2] Elevating the legs and support stockings may be useful for edema of the legs.[3] Older people are more commonly affected.[3] The word is from the Greek οἴδημα oídēma meaning 'swelling'.[4]

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Edema

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other uses, see Edema (plants).
"Dropsy" redirects here. For other uses, see Dropsy (disambiguation).
Edema
Other names Oedema, œdema, fluid retention, water retention, dropsy, hydropsy, swelling
Combinpedal.jpg
"Pitting" edema
Pronunciation

/ɪˈdiːmə/

Specialty Cardiology, nephrology
Symptoms Skin which feels tight, area may feel heavy[1]
Usual onset Sudden or gradual[2]
Types Generalized, localized[2]
Causes Venous insufficiency, heart failure, kidney problems, low protein levels, liver problems, deep vein thrombosis, lymphedema[1][2]
Diagnostic method Based on a physical exam[3]
Treatment Based on cause[2]

Edema, also spelled oedema, and also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue.[1] Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected.[1] Symptoms may include skin which feels tight, the area may feel heavy, and joint stiffness.[1] Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause.[2]

Causes may include venous insufficiency, heart failure, kidney problems, low protein levels, liver problems, deep vein thrombosis, infections, angioedema, certain medications, and lymphedema.[1][2] It may also occur after prolonged sitting or standing and during menstruation or pregnancy.[1] The condition is more concerning if it starts suddenly, or pain or shortness of breath is present.[2]

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.[2] If the underlying mechanism involves sodium retention, decreased salt intake and a diuretic may be used.[2] Elevating the legs and support stockings may be useful for edema of the legs.[3] Older people are more commonly affected.[3] The word is from the Greek οἴδημα oídēma meaning 'swelling'.[4]
Signs and symptoms

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Specific area

An edema will occur in specific organs as part of inflammations, tendinitis or pancreatitis, for instance. Certain organs develop edema through tissue specific mechanisms. Examples of edema in specific organs: