Edema
What is edema
Edema is a term used to refer to swelling that occurs as a result of built-up fluid in your body’s tissues. When fluid that’s supposed to be stored in blood vessels or other parts of the body enters the tissues, it can cause extremities to swell. In many cases, swelling occurs in the arms, legs, hands, and feet. However, edema can occur in any area of the body, such as the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and genitals
Because untreated edema can lead to further complications, getting treatment early on is important. If you’re experiencing these symptoms of edema, you should contact Edema support foundation Uganda for help
• Swelling: Edema is a condition characterized by swelling, so swelling is the most noticeable symptom you’re going to experience with edema. This commonly occurs in the lower extremities, as that’s where fluid tends to pool up. However, swelling can occur in the head, neck, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, and groin. The level of swelling depends on the amount of fluid, and also has an effect on the severity of the other symptoms associated with edema.
• Stretched/shiny skin: When your skin swells up with fluid as a result of edema, it may also become stretched and shiny. You may notice that your skin feels a bit smoother than normal or has an abnormally shiny appearance. Edema may lead to other skin conditions depending on the severity of your condition, which is why it’s important to get a diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.
• Increased abdominal size: Your abdomen is one of the places fluid can gather as a result of edema, which means edema can lead to an increase in abdominal size. Your abdomen may also have a swollen appearance with stretched or shiny skin depending on how swollen it is. The fluid that collects in the lining of the abdomen is known as ascites.
• Skin that remains indented after pressing on it: With some swelling, you can press your finger on the swollen area, and it will immediately return to its previous shape when you remove your finger. An indent that remains in a swollen area after you press down on it is known as pitting, and it can be a sign of edema. Pitting edema is categorized based on the depth of the indentation and how long it takes for the skin to rebound. Treatment options may depend on the categorization of the pitting.
• Pain: Swelling from edema can result in pain, whether that’s a dull ache in an extremity or swollen areas that are sensitive to the touch. For people living with chronic edema, pain management is one of the key focuses of managing edema. It’s important to note that edema can present without pain, especially in more minor cases of edema. Keep in mind that edema symptoms may vary from person to person. Only your doctor can determine what’s causing your edema and can recommend the proper treatment options.
• Stretched/shiny skin: When your skin swells up with fluid as a result of edema, it may also become stretched and shiny. You may notice that your skin feels a bit smoother than normal or has an abnormally shiny appearance. Edema may lead to other skin conditions depending on the severity of your condition, which is why it’s important to get a diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.
• Increased abdominal size: Your abdomen is one of the places fluid can gather as a result of edema, which means edema can lead to an increase in abdominal size. Your abdomen may also have a swollen appearance with stretched or shiny skin depending on how swollen it is. The fluid that collects in the lining of the abdomen is known as ascites.
• Skin that remains indented after pressing on it: With some swelling, you can press your finger on the swollen area, and it will immediately return to its previous shape when you remove your finger. An indent that remains in a swollen area after you press down on it is known as pitting, and it can be a sign of edema. Pitting edema is categorized based on the depth of the indentation and how long it takes for the skin to rebound. Treatment options may depend on the categorization of the pitting.
• Pain: Swelling from edema can result in pain, whether that’s a dull ache in an extremity or swollen areas that are sensitive to the touch. For people living with chronic edema, pain management is one of the key focuses of managing edema. It’s important to note that edema can present without pain, especially in more minor cases of edema. Keep in mind that edema symptoms may vary from person to person. Only your doctor can determine what’s causing your edema and can recommend the proper treatment options.
Edema can be caused by several things, and there’s a difference between acute edema. Understanding the cause of your edema can help you decide on a treatment option. Here are some of the most common causes of edema
• Kidney damage: When your kidneys can’t filter out excess water and waste, that buildup of fluid can lead to edema. This may occur as a result of damage to the kidneys, especially the blood vessels in the kidneys.
• Kidney disease: Edema may be caused by nephrotic disease, which is a kidney condition that’s often caused by damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys. These blood vessels are responsible for filtering out extra water and waste from your blood. When they’re not working properly, it can lead to a buildup of that excess fluid that can cause edema.
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): Chronic venous insufficiency is a medical condition where the valves in the veins in the legs don’t work properly, which causes blood to pool up in the lower part of the body. This condition is a somewhat common cause of edema, especially based on your medical condition and history. • Lymphedema: Lymphedema is caused by a buildup of excess lymph fluid as a result of a malfunctioning lymphatic system. This can occur as a result of cancer, cancer surgery, radiation therapy, and other medical conditions affecting the lymphatic system. If you’re living with lymphedema, your doctor can prescribe treatment options, such as pneumatic compression devices or garments, to manage your symptoms.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot:Deep vein thrombosis, what most people call a blood clot, is a clot that occurs in the deep veins. These clots are somewhat common in the lower extremities, and they may cause a buildup of blood in your legs and feet. If you have any symptoms of DVT, you should visit your doctor or a hospital as soon as possible.
• Liver problems: Problems with liver function can lead to edema, especially cirrhosis. Increased pressure in the portal vein as a result of slower blood flow can cause fluid to accumulate in the legs as well as the abdomen. • Heart failure: When your heart can’t pump blood well, it can lead to a buildup of excess blood in parts of your body. It’s not uncommon for people with heart failure to experience edema at some point as a result of the damage to their heart.
• Medication: Certain medications can also cause edema as a side effect, which is something your doctor may mention when you begin taking these medications. For example, edema can be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), high blood pressure medication.
• Kidney disease: Edema may be caused by nephrotic disease, which is a kidney condition that’s often caused by damage to the blood vessels in your kidneys. These blood vessels are responsible for filtering out extra water and waste from your blood. When they’re not working properly, it can lead to a buildup of that excess fluid that can cause edema.
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI): Chronic venous insufficiency is a medical condition where the valves in the veins in the legs don’t work properly, which causes blood to pool up in the lower part of the body. This condition is a somewhat common cause of edema, especially based on your medical condition and history. • Lymphedema: Lymphedema is caused by a buildup of excess lymph fluid as a result of a malfunctioning lymphatic system. This can occur as a result of cancer, cancer surgery, radiation therapy, and other medical conditions affecting the lymphatic system. If you’re living with lymphedema, your doctor can prescribe treatment options, such as pneumatic compression devices or garments, to manage your symptoms.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot:Deep vein thrombosis, what most people call a blood clot, is a clot that occurs in the deep veins. These clots are somewhat common in the lower extremities, and they may cause a buildup of blood in your legs and feet. If you have any symptoms of DVT, you should visit your doctor or a hospital as soon as possible.
• Liver problems: Problems with liver function can lead to edema, especially cirrhosis. Increased pressure in the portal vein as a result of slower blood flow can cause fluid to accumulate in the legs as well as the abdomen. • Heart failure: When your heart can’t pump blood well, it can lead to a buildup of excess blood in parts of your body. It’s not uncommon for people with heart failure to experience edema at some point as a result of the damage to their heart.
• Medication: Certain medications can also cause edema as a side effect, which is something your doctor may mention when you begin taking these medications. For example, edema can be caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), high blood pressure medication.
• Surgery
- Impact: Post-surgical edema occurs due to trauma to tissues, lymph node removal (e.g., in cancer surgery), or prolonged immobility.
- Statistics. Up to 30% of patients undergoing lymph node dissection (e.g., for breast cancer) develop secondary lymphedema.
• Cancer Treatment (Chemotherapy/Radiation Therapy) - Impact: Radiation can damage lymphatic vessels, while certain chemotherapies (e.g., taxanes) cause fluid retention.
• - Statistics: Approximately 20-40% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema after axillary lymph node radiation or removal.
• Infections (e.g., Cellulitis, Filariasis) -Impact: Infections can block lymphatic vessels or cause inflammatory swelling. - Statistics. - Filariasis (a parasitic infection) causes lymphatic filariasis in ~120 million people globally, leading to elephantiasis in 40 million. - Cellulitis recurrence rates in lymphedema patients exceed 30%.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs) - Impact: Untreated STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to genital edema. - Statistics: 5% of women globally, with chronic edema as a rare complication.
• Podoconiosis (Non-Filarial Lymphoedema) - Impact: Caused by prolonged exposure to volcanic soils (e.g., silica particles), leading to lower limb swelling. - Statistics: - Endemic in 32 countries, including Ethiopia (1.5 million cases) and Uganda (100,000+ cases). .
• Genetic Factors (Primary Lymphedema) - Impact: Mutations in genes (e.g., FLT4, FOXC2) disrupt lymphatic development. - Statistics - Primary lymphedema affects 1 in 100,000 individuals. - Milroy disease (congenital lymphedema) occurs in 1 in 6,000 live births
• Cancer Treatment (Chemotherapy/Radiation Therapy) - Impact: Radiation can damage lymphatic vessels, while certain chemotherapies (e.g., taxanes) cause fluid retention.
• - Statistics: Approximately 20-40% of breast cancer survivors develop lymphedema after axillary lymph node radiation or removal.
• Infections (e.g., Cellulitis, Filariasis) -Impact: Infections can block lymphatic vessels or cause inflammatory swelling. - Statistics. - Filariasis (a parasitic infection) causes lymphatic filariasis in ~120 million people globally, leading to elephantiasis in 40 million. - Cellulitis recurrence rates in lymphedema patients exceed 30%.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs) - Impact: Untreated STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), leading to genital edema. - Statistics: 5% of women globally, with chronic edema as a rare complication.
• Podoconiosis (Non-Filarial Lymphoedema) - Impact: Caused by prolonged exposure to volcanic soils (e.g., silica particles), leading to lower limb swelling. - Statistics: - Endemic in 32 countries, including Ethiopia (1.5 million cases) and Uganda (100,000+ cases). .
• Genetic Factors (Primary Lymphedema) - Impact: Mutations in genes (e.g., FLT4, FOXC2) disrupt lymphatic development. - Statistics - Primary lymphedema affects 1 in 100,000 individuals. - Milroy disease (congenital lymphedema) occurs in 1 in 6,000 live births
Statistics Summary
Now that you know about some of the symptoms and causes of edema, what happens if edema is left untreated? While edema might seem manageable at first, the symptoms can continue to get worse as more fluid builds up, especially if you don’t address the root cause of your edema. Some cases of edema may be permanent, but you can still take steps to reduce the swelling, relieve the pain, and slow down some of the damage that edema can cause over time.
The consequences of neglecting edema treatment depend on the cause of the edema. Edema that’s caused by another medical condition that’s left untreated can continue to worsen if you don’t manage it or treat it.
• Skin ulcers: Skin ulcers are a fairly common complication of edema. As fluid pools in certain areas of the body, it causes changes in the skin that can eventually lead to skin ulcers. These ulcers may become infected and painful or present other complications. If you have ulcers, it’s important to clean, dress, and protect your wounds.
• Blisters: Edema bullae are a type of blister that can occur as a result of edema. These blisters are most common in elderly patients or people who have edema and are immobile. However, they may occur in other patients living with edema. Blisters can also lead to infections, especially if they break.
• Difficulty walking: As the swelling in your lower extremities progresses, you may reach a point where it’s difficult to walk. Difficulty walking occurs as a result of inflammation in the joints, which can affect the quality of life in those living with edema. Over time, this inflammation and immobility may escalate.
• Painful swelling: While edema doesn’t always present with pain, it’s not uncommon for swelling to reach a point that causes pain. Painful swelling is one of the signs of edema left untreated, and that pain may continue to worsen as swelling intensifies. Treating the cause of your edema can help relieve swelling and the pain that comes with it.
• Decreased blood circulation: If your heart and veins aren’t moving blood throughout your body, it can pool up and lead to edema. That edema can, in turn, cause more damage to your circulatory system. People who are experiencing circulation problems in addition to edema should see a doctor to decide on an edema treatment plan.
• Scarring: In some cases, edema may lead to scarring that results from the damage it can cause to your skin. A lack of blood flow or the constant pressure of built-up fluid can cause dermatitis and other skin conditions, which can lead to scarring if left untreated.
• Stiffness: As swelling increases and edema is left untreated, stiffness continues to increase. While stiffness may be relatively minor at first, it can escalate if you don’t treat it, eventually affecting your ability to walk, bend your knees, and more.
• Itchy or dry skin: Itchy and dry skin are common side effects of edema. Swelling and stretching of the skin can cause it to dry out and become itchy, which can leave your skin dry and irritated. In severe cases, dry skin can increase your risk of infection and lead to other complications.
• Infection: From cracks in dry skin to blisters and ulcers, there are several ways to get an edema-related infection. When you have edema, it’s important to carefully dress any wounds and avoid any cuts or needle pricks.
• Chest pain and difficulty breathing (pulmonary edema): A buildup of fluid in the lungs, or pulmonary edema, can cause chest pain and make it difficult to breathe. If you’re experiencing these symptoms along with an enlarged look and feel in the chest, visit a doctor for a diagnosis.
• Podoconiosis: Progressive fibrosis, disabling limb deformities, and social stigma.
• STI-Related Edema: Chronic pelvic pain and infertility in addition to swelling.
• Blisters: Edema bullae are a type of blister that can occur as a result of edema. These blisters are most common in elderly patients or people who have edema and are immobile. However, they may occur in other patients living with edema. Blisters can also lead to infections, especially if they break.
• Difficulty walking: As the swelling in your lower extremities progresses, you may reach a point where it’s difficult to walk. Difficulty walking occurs as a result of inflammation in the joints, which can affect the quality of life in those living with edema. Over time, this inflammation and immobility may escalate.
• Painful swelling: While edema doesn’t always present with pain, it’s not uncommon for swelling to reach a point that causes pain. Painful swelling is one of the signs of edema left untreated, and that pain may continue to worsen as swelling intensifies. Treating the cause of your edema can help relieve swelling and the pain that comes with it.
• Decreased blood circulation: If your heart and veins aren’t moving blood throughout your body, it can pool up and lead to edema. That edema can, in turn, cause more damage to your circulatory system. People who are experiencing circulation problems in addition to edema should see a doctor to decide on an edema treatment plan.
• Scarring: In some cases, edema may lead to scarring that results from the damage it can cause to your skin. A lack of blood flow or the constant pressure of built-up fluid can cause dermatitis and other skin conditions, which can lead to scarring if left untreated.
• Stiffness: As swelling increases and edema is left untreated, stiffness continues to increase. While stiffness may be relatively minor at first, it can escalate if you don’t treat it, eventually affecting your ability to walk, bend your knees, and more.
• Itchy or dry skin: Itchy and dry skin are common side effects of edema. Swelling and stretching of the skin can cause it to dry out and become itchy, which can leave your skin dry and irritated. In severe cases, dry skin can increase your risk of infection and lead to other complications.
• Infection: From cracks in dry skin to blisters and ulcers, there are several ways to get an edema-related infection. When you have edema, it’s important to carefully dress any wounds and avoid any cuts or needle pricks.
• Chest pain and difficulty breathing (pulmonary edema): A buildup of fluid in the lungs, or pulmonary edema, can cause chest pain and make it difficult to breathe. If you’re experiencing these symptoms along with an enlarged look and feel in the chest, visit a doctor for a diagnosis.
• Podoconiosis: Progressive fibrosis, disabling limb deformities, and social stigma.
• STI-Related Edema: Chronic pelvic pain and infertility in addition to swelling.
Treating edema is an important part of avoiding the complications that can come with it. The sooner you get a diagnosis and start edema treatment, the less likely you are to experience infections, ulcers, and dry skin. If you’re living with edema, contact Edema support Foundation Uganda.