The condition often occurs as the result of congestive heart failure (CHF). It can also be the result of medication, pregnancy, or another underlying condition, like kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver, or venous insufficiency in the legs. An array of conditions — congestive heart failure and lung, liver, kidney, and thyroid diseases — can lead to edema. It can also be caused by medications to control blood pressure or by an allergic reaction. (1) Signs that you have edema include these symptoms:
Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under the skin, especially in the legs or armsArms or legs that feel full or heavyShiny or stretched skinSkin that retains pits, or a dimple, after being pressed for several secondsNot fitting into clothing or jewelryA tightening or warming of the skin near the swellingDifficulty moving jointsAn increased abdominal size (2)
If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor. However, you should seek medical attention immediately if you experience these along with shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or chest pain. If the person spends a lot of time on their back, the swelling can end up in the back. Heart failure can also cause swelling in the abdomen and sometimes can lead to fluid buildup in the lungs, called pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema can lead to shortness of breath. While uncommon, pulmonary edema can be life-threatening. A person experiencing edema with shortness of breath should see a doctor right away. (3) Chronic Venous Insufficiency This improper functioning of the vein valves in the leg can lead to leg swelling. In people with this condition, the veins are having trouble transporting enough blood all the way to the feet and then back to the heart, so it gathers in the legs. Increased pressure causes the fluid to be pushed out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissue, leading to edema. Kidney Disease Edema can occur because the disease leads to extra fluid and sodium in the circulatory system, which then builds up pressure in the blood vessels and leads to swelling. Kidney disease can cause edema in multiple areas. Kidney Damage Nephrotic syndrome — which occurs when the small filtering blood vessels in the kidneys don’t work properly and allow protein to be lost in the urine — can result. This causes a declining level of protein in the blood, which can lead to fluid accumulation and edema. Liver Cirrhosis A scarring of the liver tissue, it can lead to abdominal edema. This happens because cirrhosis causes a lack of proteins in the liver, which can lead to increased pressure in the blood vessels and fluid seeping into the abdomen. Severe Lung Conditions Conditions such as emphysema can lead to edema if pressure in the lungs and heart gets too high.
Increasingly painful swellingStiffnessDifficulty walkingStretched, itchy skinSkin ulcers, with an increased risk of infection in the affected areaScarringDecreased blood circulation
More severe cases of edema may be treated with diuretics (medications that help your body expel excess fluid in urine). If edema is caused by an underlying health condition such as heart failure, long-term management should focus on treating the underlying condition. There are lifestyle modifications that can help lessen edema: Elevating the Affected Limb Holding the swollen arm or leg above heart level several times a day can help reduce swelling. In some instances, elevating the affected limb while sleeping may also be beneficial. Exercise Moving the muscles in the part of the body affected by edema, particularly the legs, can help pump excess fluid back to the heart. Talk to your healthcare provider about exercises that are right for you. Massage Firm but not painful strokes around the affected area toward the heart may help stimulate excess fluid to move out of the area. Reduced Salt Intake Too much salt can increase fluid retention and worsen swelling. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to limit sodium intake in your diet. Compression Your doctor may recommend compression socks, sleeves, or gloves after the swelling has gone down in your limbs to prevent it from recurring. These garments keep pressure on the arms and legs to prevent fluid from collecting. (2,3,4,5)
