by T.Yeap

Created on: September 23, 2009   Last Updated: September 27, 2009

Edema is a medical term used to describe swollen area or puffiness in your body due to fluids that accumulate in spaces between your cells. Most edema occurred in the lower extremities (legs, feet, ankle and toes) but other body part can also be affected. Edema can happened to anyone but it's more prevalent in older adults and pregnant women.

Causes of Edema

1) Edema can happen naturally when gravity pulls water down to your feet and ankle due to prolong sitting and standing in one place. Passengers that are going for a long flight will normally experience edema on their feet as evidence by difficulty in fitting your shoes after you've taken it off during a long haul flight.

2) Medical illness such as congestive heart failure (CHF), kidney, liver and thyroid disease can also causes edema as the body's ability to excrete excess fluids decreases.

3) Pregnancy causes edema and it's normal because the uterus puts pressure on the blood vessels in the lower extremities causes edema to occur in legs, feet and ankle.

4) Eating too much salt also contribute to the occurrence of edema because sodium attracts water and the fluids retention may become worse.

Signs of Edema

1) Your skin may look shiny and stretched with puffiness.

2) Press your finger gently on the swollen area for about 10 -15 seconds and upon removing your finger, the area will leave a dimple.

Your medical provider will conduct a detail examinations and may also take some blood test to determine if you have edema.

Treatment of Edema

Edema can be temporarily or permanent. Treatment for edema varies and has to be treated based on your underlying condition. For example, if you have kidney disease, better management of your diet, medications and other treatment will reduce the occurrence of edema and prevent it from getting worse. In the mean time, there's also several methods you can use to keep the fluids from building up in the body:

1) Put a pillow underneath the legs when lying down. (Keep legs elevated above the level of your heart.)

2) Wear ted stockings. (A type of support stocking to keep fluids from accumulating in your lower extremities.)

3) Do not sit or stand for long periods of time without moving. (You can stand up and stretch or move your feet in a circular motion)

4) Ask your doctor to refer you to a Registered Dietitian for nutrition counseling on low salt intake, typically less than 2000mg of sodium per day is recommended.

5) Your doctor may also prescribed a water pill or diuretic pill called "Lasix" or "Aldactone" to help get rid of excess fluids from the body.

SOURCES:

1. Cleveland Clinic. http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/Edema/hic_Ed ema.aspx

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