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Edema is swelling in the body caused by excess fluid. It often affects the lower body, such as the legs, feet, and ankles, but it can occur anywhere. If you press on a swollen area and an indentation or pit remains, it’s called
Edema – Wikipedia
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Is pitting edema serious?
Pitting edema is when a swollen part of your body has a dimple (or pit) after you press it for a few seconds. It can be a sign of a serious health issue.
What would cause an indentation in my leg?
Pitting edema occurs when excess fluid builds up in the body, causing swelling; when pressure is applied to the swollen area, a “pit”, or indentation, will remain. Although it can affect any part of the body, pitting edema usually occurs in legs, feet, and ankles.
Will drinking more water help with edema?
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have. This contributes to swelling.
Can dehydration cause pitting edema?
There are many potential causes for pitting edema, including poor circulation, obesity, pregnancy, dehydration, and injuries. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the condition, but may involve elevating the feet, wearing compression socks, or taking certain medications.
Does edema go away?
Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics).
What happens if edema goes untreated?
If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation.
What does it mean when you press your skin and it stays indented?
Edema refers to visible swelling caused by a buildup of fluid within tissues. When an indentation remains after the swollen skin is pressed, this is called pitting edema.
What does edema in the legs mean?
Fluid buildup (edema): It happens when the tissues or blood vessels in your legs hold more fluid than they should. This can happen if you simply spend a long day on your feet or sit for too long. But it may also be a sign that you’re overweight or don’t get enough exercise, or of more serious medical conditions.
What are the main causes of edema?
Some of the most common causes of edema are: Long periods of standing or sitting. Sitting or standing for too long can cause extra fluid to build up in your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Venous insufficiency. Chronic (long-term) lung diseases. Congestive heart failure. Pregnancy. Low levels of protein.
Is lemon water good for edema?
The antioxidants in lemons are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents. They can help to reduce swelling (even minor internal swelling), thereby enabling your body to repair any damaged tissue.
Can poor circulation cause edema?
Poor circulation can cause fluid to accumulate in certain areas of the body. This is called edema, and it often occurs in the legs, ankles, and feet. Edema may also be a sign of heart failure.
Can High BP cause edema?
Edema can also be a side effect of some medications, including: High blood pressure medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Does drinking water reduce inflammation?
Hydration Fights Inflammation Hydration helps our bodies fight inflammation by flushing out toxins. Adequate water intake can also help keep our joints well lubricated and prevent gout attacks.
What doctor treats edema?
When to Seek Care for Swelling If you experience swelling that does not go away on its own, make an appointment to see your primary doctor. If the issue doesn’t improve, ask your doctor for a referral to a vascular specialist. Duke offers a special Limb Swelling Clinic for just these kinds of issues.
What foods are good to reduce edema?
Eat natural diuretic vegetables, including asparagus, parsley, beets, grapes, green beans, leafy greens, pineapple, pumpkin, onion, leeks, and garlic. Some of these foods may interact with diuretic medications. Eat antioxidant foods, such as blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers.
What causes edema in lower legs?
Edema can occur as a result of gravity, especially from sitting or standing in one place for too long. Water naturally gets pulled down into your legs and feet. Edema can happen from a weakening in the valves of the veins in the legs (a condition called venous insufficiency).
Will edema go away with weight loss?
Many people with fluid retention are overweight and losing weight can make a big difference to improve the oedema. A gradual weight loss (rather than fasting and bingeing) is recommended.
What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?
There are four heart failure stages (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure.”Stage C Shortness of breath. Feeling tired (fatigue). Less able to exercise. Weak legs. Waking up to urinate. Swollen feet, ankles, lower legs and abdomen (edema).
How serious is edema in legs?
Most of the time, the edema is not a serious illness, but it may be a sign for one. Here are some examples: Venous insufficiency can cause edema in the feet and ankles, because the veins are having trouble transporting enough blood all the way to the feet and back to the heart.
Can dehydration cause leg swelling?
Stay Hydrated – dehydration causes the constriction of blood vessels leading to the forcing of fluids into the extracellular spaces between cells leading to retention particularly in the lower limbs.
How do I get rid of water retention in my legs?
Remedies for water retention include: Follow a low-salt diet. Add in potassium- and magnesium-rich foods. Take a vitamin B-6 supplement. Eat your protein. Keep your feet elevated. Wear compression socks or leggings. Seek your doctor’s help if your problem persists.
