Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by a buildup of fluid in your body’s tissues. It can refer to enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts due to an accumulation of fluid. The extra fluid can lead to a rapid increase in body weight over a short period of time. Sometimes people can retain fluid and gain several pounds before any swelling is obvious.  The most common type of edema is peripheral edema, when one’s feet, ankles, and/or legs are swollen. The causes can be due to several different medical conditions, some very serious and due to systemic diseases, others due to local conditions in the legs but still bothersome to the person. Sometimes, edema is due to several different factors. Since it can be due to heart or vascular problems, patients with edema are often evaluated by a cardiologist. Leg edema can be due to the veins in the legs not draining blood adequately, or varicose veins or venous insufficiency. Edema in the legs can be due to abnormal removal of fluid in the tissues of the legs by the lymphatic system (lymphedema) and in rare instances can be due to a pelvic or upper leg tumor blocking a blood vessel or lymph flow. Edema due to leg vein or lymphatic problems tends to occur more if people stand or sit for long periods of time due gravity promoting fluid buildup down below in the legs. Things such as hot weather, pregnancy or long plane trips can lead to some degree of edema, especially in those prone to it with venous or lymphatic drainage issues. Mild leg edema is common during pregnancy due to a physiological increase in blood volume and pressure from the growing womb. Prednisone online When swelling occurs in just one leg, it could be due to a blood clot in the veins of the leg (deep venous thrombosis or DVT), especially if it is accompanied by pain, redness and/or warmth. These blood clots can be life threatening if they break off and travel through the heart to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and should be treated with blood thinners. Doxycycline online Arthritis in the knee or ankles, or traumatic injuries to the legs can cause edema. Low protein levels in the blood, whether from malnutrition, liver failure or loss or protein due to kidney dysfunction, can lead to edema. If someone has an underactive thyroid, a different type of edema known as myxedema can develop which is actually due to deposition of components of connective tissue under the skin rather than fluid. Some medications can cause edema in the legs such as blood pressure medications known as calcium channel blockers. These can cause fluid retention due to potential effects on blood pressure, the heart and/or kidneys, leading to edema. Diabetic medications such as can cause edema or heart failure, and steroids can lead to edema. Increased sodium (salt) intake can lead to fluid retention, even in otherwise healthy people, causing edema of the legs although those with congestive heart failure or kidney dysfunction are particularly at risk. Edema due to Heart Failure When the left side of the heart is not working properly, backward pressure can build up into the lungs causing shortness of breath. The backup of pressure congests the lungs which is why heart failure is often referred to as congestive heart failure (CHF). When the back up of pressure is significant, fluid can spill into the air pockets of the lungs, a condition known as cardiogenic pulmonary edema and can lead to respiratory failure. In heart failure, the pressure transmits through the lungs and into the right side of the heart over time. This can lead to a build-up of fluid in the body that leads to peripheral edema or swollen legs. Edema due to heart failure or kidney failure or even fluid retention usually causes pitting edema where after pressure is applied to a small area in the swollen part of the leg, the indentation persists for a while after the release of the pressure. In more chronic cases of heart failure, edema can occur in the intestines, liver, spleen and can cause build-up of the abdomen in general. Less commonly, leg edema can also occur from right-sided heart valve problems, or severe lung disease. The latter, when severe, can put significant pressure on the right side of the heart leading to edema of the legs. Treatment The most effective treatment for edema is treating the underlying cause, especially when it is a systemic disease. Swelling in the feet or ankles may be reduced by having the patient lie down in bed or sit with the feet propped up on cushions to counteract the effects of gravity. Leg compression or support stockings can sometimes help reduce or prevent edema but are challenging for regular use. Often diuretics are required, especially when edema is due to heart or kidney failure. Avoidance of sodium in the diet, NSAID’s, and other triggers is important to keep edema in check.