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What Causes Edema and How Can It Be Managed?
Published: Nov 14, 2023
Edema is a condition where fluid builds up in the body's tissues, leading to swelling. Understanding its causes and management is crucial for maintaining health.
What is Edema?
Edema is the swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues, especially the skin. It can occur due to various reasons like heart failure, cirrhosis, and nephrotic syndrome. In severe cases, the swelling can become generalized, a condition known as anasarca.
Why Does Fluid Accumulate?
The body retains sodium and water, causing fluid buildup, as a compensatory mechanism in conditions like heart failure. This is due to the kidneys retaining more fluid to increase blood circulation. However, in conditions such as kidney failure, this retention becomes inappropriate, exacerbating the swelling.
When Is Edema Dangerous?
While most edema cases aren't immediately dangerous, pulmonary edema can be life-threatening and requires urgent treatment. In other cases, like cirrhosis, rapid fluid removal can cause complications, making careful management necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edema is swelling from fluid buildup in tissues.
Edema occurs due to fluid retention, often due to heart, liver, or kidney issues.
No, but pulmonary edema is life-threatening.
Edema is detected through physical swelling and sometimes medical imaging.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the causes of edema is key to managing its effects on the body.
References
- Cohn JN. Blood pressure and cardiac performance. Am J Med 1973; 55:351.
- Stampfer M, Epstein SE, Beiser GD, Braunwald E. Hemodynamic effects of diuresis at rest and during intense upright exercise in patients with impaired cardiac function. Circulation 1968; 37:900.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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