Mild oedema is common and usually harmless. It may be due to medication, allergies, or more serious underlying disease. It is important to seek medical attention if you have oedema. Often no particular cause will be found. The most common causes are mentioned below. Oedema is a collection of fluid in the spaces between cells of the body.
Fluid leaks out of damaged cells. The fluid cannot be simply drained with a needle and may not improve if you take 'water pills' diuretics. Fluid retention oedema may be caused by many different conditions. Oedema may be due to having to spend a long time sitting or having to stay in bed immobility. Varicose veins and pregnancy are also common causes of oedema.
Oedema may also be caused by serious conditions such as heart failure, liver disease or kidney disease. Idiopathic oedema is the term for fluid retention which it not caused by a known medical condition.
It is most common in women and can sometimes worsen with age. Although there is no cure for idiopathic oedema, having a healthy diet which is low in salt can make a real difference. 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. Support stockings and regular exercise are also beneficial.
Avoiding long periods of standing can also help. An excess collection of watery fluid in the lungs pulmonary oedema is often caused by heart failure.
The fluid collects in the many air sacs alveoli of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. When the heart is unable to pump blood to the body efficiently, the amount of blood staying in the veins that take blood through the lungs to the left side of the heart increases. As the pressure in these blood vessels increases, fluid is pushed into the alveoli in the lungs.
This fluid reduces normal oxygen movement through the lungs, which can lead to shortness of breath. Angio-oedema is a condition that can cause swelling of the deeper layers of the skin. These include the dermis and subcutaneous tissues. It also affects the tissues just under the lining of the airways, mouth and gut the submucosal tissues.
It takes more than 20 seconds to rebound. Understanding the severity of edema can help a doctor to identify the underlying cause and best course of treatment. This involves addressing the underlying cause of the edema. A range of treatments correspond with the range of causes, but common methods include:. Some adjustments to lifestyle and diet can reduce the likelihood of developing edema, particularly if a person has a high risk.
These changes may include staying active, avoiding sitting or standing for long periods, and doing gentle exercises to reduce swelling. Pitting edema is a common symptom. It is usually not a cause for concern in itself, but many underlying conditions require treatment, sometimes urgently. Edema should not cause any long-term complications. After working with a doctor, many people find lasting relief from the symptom.
Hypervolemia is a condition in which there is too much fluid in the blood. It is also known as fluid overload. Learn more about the causes. Lymphedema is a long-term condition in which fluid collects in tissues, causing swelling. Lymphedema most commonly affects one or both of the arms or…. A look at dependent edema, a condition where fluid pools in the lower parts of the body.
Included is detail on treatment options and the warning signs. Pulmonary edema occurs when fluid collects in air sacs of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Go to You could have a blood clot in your lungs, which needs immediate treatment in hospital. Treatment for swelling or oedema that does not go away on its own will depend on the cause. It may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or going on a low-salt diet.
Page last reviewed: 14 November Next review due: 14 November What causes edema? How is edema diagnosed? Can edema be prevented or avoided? Edema treatment. Living with edema. The following are some things you can do at home to keep the swelling down: Elevate your legs when you are sitting or lying down. If you have edema of the legs, wear support stockings. You can buy these at most drugstores. Support stockings put pressure on your legs to keep fluid from collecting in your legs and ankles.
Do not sit or stand for long periods of time without moving around. Questions to ask your doctor. What is causing my edema? What treatment is best for me? Is it safe for me to exercise? Should I wear support stockings? What lifestyle changes should I make? Can you recommend any books or web sites where I can read about low-salt diets? Is air travel safe for me?
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