Cardiovascular

What Is Edema? What Causes Edema?

may retain a dimple after being pressed for about ten seconds. *Puffiness of the ankles, face or eyes. *Aching body parts. *Stiff joints. *Weight gain. *Weight loss. *Hand and neck veins are fuller. *Raised pulse rate. *Hypertension - raised blood pressure. *Ascites - increased abdominal size. What is the diagnosis of edema? A GP (general practitioner, primary care physician) will want to determine what the underlying cause of the edema is. The patient will be asked questions about his/her: *Medical history. *Current state of health. *How long the signs and symptoms have existed. *How permanent or intermittent the signs and symptoms are. *Whether the patient has had edema before. The physician will also carry out a physical exam. If there are indications that there may be an underlying medical condition causing the edema the doctor may order some tests, these may include: *A chest X-ray *Blood tests *Urine tests *Liver function tests *Heart function tests What is the treatment for edema? In order to treat the edema the doctor has to diagnose the condition that is causing it first. *Diuretics These are drugs that raise the rate of urination, providing a means of forced dieresis. Diuresis is the increased production of urine by the kidney. There are several types of diuretics - they increase the excretion of water from the body in various different ways. Diuretics are not suitable if the patient is pregnant, or has chronic venous insufficiency (weakened valves in the veins of the legs). Many medications appear to cause pedal edema (foot edema), especially estrogens, vasodilators, NSAIDS, and calcium channel blockers. Most edemas caused by medications are the types that are caused by high blood pressure in the capillaries. For these patients diuretics are not an effective treatment. Physicians report that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers give better results. *Antiangiogenesis therapy (controlling blood vessel growth) The beneficial effects of anti-angiogenesis drugs in the treatment of the glioblastomas (deadly brain tumors) appear to result primarily from reduction of edema, researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital reported. *Oxygen therapy Oxygen delivered through the nose may improve poor vision caused by diabetic macular edema, say researchers at Johns Hopkins. A good GP will also recommend the following self-care techniques which may help resolve the fluid retention problem: *Cut down salt consumption. *If the patient is overweight, to lose weight. *Do regular exercise. *Raise the legs several times per day to improve circulation. *Wear supporting stockings. *Not to sit/stand still for too long. *Get up and walk about regularly when travelling by car, train, boat or plane. *Avoid extremes of temperature, such as hot baths, showers, and saunas. Dress warmly if it is cold. *Massage - if the affected area is stroked firmly in the direction of the heart it may help move the fluid. It is important that the hand movements do not cause pain. A qualified masseuse or physical therapist will know how to do this more effectively. What are the complications of edema? Edema is usually caused by an underlying disease or condition. If that condition is not treated, the health consequences could be serious. Untreated edema can cause: *Painful swelling. The pain can gradually get worse. *Walking difficulty. *Stiffness. *Awkward gait. *Skin can become stretched, itchy and bothersome. *The swollen area is more likely to become infected. *Scarring may occur between the layers of tissue. *Poor blood circulation. *Arteries, veins, and joints may lose their elasticity. *Ulcerations of the skin. Written by Christian Nordqvist Copyright: Medical News Today Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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