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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 causes 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.
When should I be concerned about edema?
You should seek emergency care if you have sudden, unexplained swelling in just one limb or if it occurs along with chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch.
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.
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.
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 is leg crossers dimple?
Leg crossers’ dimple is an area of localized lipoatrophy on the legs of patients who have a long-standing history of leg crossing. The sites correlated with the area resting on the patella of the opposing knee.
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 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).
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 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.
Does walking help swollen ankles?
Tips to reduce ankle and foot swelling Simple lifestyle changes — such as exercise and weight loss — also can help reduce or prevent swelling while also improving your overall health, says Dr. Botek. She suggested activities such as walking and swimming.
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.
Can diabetes cause edema?
The swelling is called edema, which is often caused by an underlying issue such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or diabetes. The buildup of fluid can happen in any part of the body, but it’s most common in the hands, arms, legs, feet, and ankles. Edema is just one side effect of diabetes.
Why do my thighs have ridges?
Answer. These sound to me like they are potentially stretch marks, which are very common on the back of the thighs. Stretch marks occur when the the skin becomes stretched, often under the influence of a change in hormone levels (this is why, for example they are more common during and after pregnancy).
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.
What is weeping edema?
The swelling is obvious, and the skin may look shiny and stretched. Sometimes, swelling is so extreme that a person has difficulty moving. Swelling can become so severe that fluid will leak out directly from the skin. This is known as weeping edema. Pitting edema may also develop.
