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Edema (American English), also spelled oedema (British English), and also known as fluid retention, dropsy and hydropsy, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue, [1] a type of swelling. [4] Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. [1] Symptoms may include skin that feels tight, the area feeling heavy, and joint stiffness. [1]
These symptoms may include peripheral edema (swelling of the legs, in general, of the "pitting" variety, wherein the skin is slow to return to normal when pressed upon due to fluid), raised jugular venous pressure and hepatomegaly, where the liver is excessively enlarged and may be tender or even pulsatile.
The condition is commonly associated with vascular and cardiac changes associated with aging but can be caused by many other conditions, including congestive heart failure, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, trauma, alcoholism, altitude sickness, pregnancy, hypertension, sickle cell anemia, a compromised lymphatic system or merely long periods of time sitting or standing ...
Other causes of pulmonary edema that require rapid intervention and should be considered first include fluid overload, brain injury, and anaphylaxis. If when considering these differentials, there is no evidence for administration of excessive fluids, no focal signs suggesting a brain injury, and so signs of allergic reaction, one can then ...
Cerebral edema is a major cause of brain damage and contributes significantly to the mortality of ischemic strokes and traumatic brain injuries. [4] [9] As cerebral edema is present with many common cerebral pathologies, the epidemiology of the disease is not easily defined. [1]
Lymphedema, also known as lymphoedema and lymphatic edema, is a condition of localized swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system. [2] The lymphatic system functions as a critical portion of the body's immune system and returns interstitial fluid to the bloodstream .
Heat edema is a cutaneous condition characterized by dependent edema from vasodilatory pooling. [2] Heat causes the blood vessels to expand (dilate), so body fluid moves into the hands or legs by gravity. The balance of salt in the body is also a risk factor for heat edema.
The signs and symptoms of protein losing enteropathy include diarrhea, fever, and general abdominal discomfort. [4] Swelling of the legs due to peripheral edema can also occur; however, if the PLE is related to a systemic disease such as congestive heart failure or constrictive pericarditis, then these symptoms could be due directly to the underlying illness. [2]