Las Vegas Vein Doctor Discusses Edema
November 4, 2023 • mdconnect • Deep Vein Thrombosis • Uncategorized
Do you have swelling in your lower legs, ankles, feet or elsewhere in your body? You may have edema. Edema is the medical term for fluid buildup that causes swelling or puffiness. It typically develops in just one part of the body – and usually the lower legs – but edema can affect tissues throughout your entire body. Edema develops as the result of fluid trapped inside tissue. The swelling with edema can be alarming, and without a doctor’s help, it can be difficult to determine exactly what caused it. Left untreated, edema can damage body tissue. What’s more, treating edema can be complicated if you don’t know its underlying cause. Fortunately, Las Vegas vein doctors can diagnose and treat edema.
Symptoms of Edema
Edema may cause signs and symptoms wherever fluid is trapped within body tissue. Fluid trapped in the lower legs will cause swelling in your calves, ankles or feet, for example, while fluid trapped in your arms can make your wrist, hand, or fingers swell, Symptoms of edema include:- Swelling or puffiness of the tissue just beneath the surface of your skin, especially in your arms or legs
- Stretched skin, which can look shiny
- Pitting, which means the skin holds a “dimple” for a few seconds after you press down on it with your fingertip
- Swelling of your belly
- Feeling like your legs are heavy
Causes of Edema
A number of lifestyle choices, health issues, and medical treatments can trigger edema, according to the National Library of Medicine. The cause of your edema may include:- Chronic venous insufficiency
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Eating too much salt
- Heart failure
- Sunburn
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems from cirrhosis
- Problems with lymph nodes, especially after mastectomy
- Pregnancy
- Some medicines, such as antihypertensives to control high blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, and steroids
- Doing a lot of standing or walking during warm weather