Edema

Introduction Edema is a local or systemic swelling caused by the accumulation of water in the extracellular fluid of the body. Puffiness is often a sign of heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, endocrine and other diseases. Therefore, edema is associated with many organs of the body. In fact, the causes of edema are many, complex and variable, but some edema is not a manifestation of disease, but a physiological response. For example, the environment, lifestyle, behavior, etc. in which it is located may cause edema.

Cause

When the body increases too much water and does not discharge, it is edema. At the same time as weight gain, there will be eyelid swelling, ankle or calf edema.

Most of the edema is caused by kidney or heart disease. However, sometimes ascites from liver disease, malnutrition caused by insufficient protein, or hormonal abnormalities of menopausal disorders can cause edema.

If the edema starts from the face and then expands to the whole body, there is a high possibility of suffering from kidney disease, but it may also be acute nephritis or kidney disease.

If you get edema from your feet, it may be heart disease, hypoproteinemia, liver cirrhosis, etc.

In the later stages of pregnancy, the whole body and feet are prone to edema; if the edema is serious, it may be pregnancy toxemia.

The above edema, pressed with a finger, will move moisture and form a depression.

If it is not depressed by hand pressure, it still edema, which may be caused by hypothyroidism or side effects of the medicine.

The edema caused by standing for a long time is not an abnormal phenomenon.

In the case of edema, limit the intake of water and salt; in order to discharge excess water from the body, it is best to eat more diuretic food.

If the condition is serious and cannot be cured, the doctor's diagnosis must be accepted.

To take a diuretic medicine, you must go through a doctor's diagnosis. Diuretic medicine, it is better to avoid using it.

an examination

Related inspection

Urinary conventional electrocardiogram thyroid 131 iodine absorption rate

If the edema of the foot is caused by heart disease, it is best to find it early. Press the tibia with the fingertip in the direction of the bone for 30 seconds. If there is no edema, it will return to its original shape. If there is a depression, it can be confirmed to be edema. In addition, if you feel that the shoes are tight, it may be one of the edema signals.

Differential diagnosis

1, hepatogenic edema: cirrhosis in the presence of ascites often precedes mild edema of the lower extremities, which first occurs in the ankles and gradually spreads upward. The head and face and upper limbs are often edema. Ascites and pleural effusion occur in severe cases. A variety of chronic liver disease history and signs of liver damage and laboratory indicators are the basis for diagnosis.

2, malnutrition edema: chronic disease, long-term nutritional deficiencies, protein loss gastrointestinal disease, severe burns caused by hypoproteinemia, vitamin B1 deficiency, etc. can produce edema. Tissue relaxation caused by a decrease in subcutaneous fat and a decrease in tissue pressure increase the retention of water. Edema often spreads from the foot to the whole body.

3, cardiogenic edema: in the right heart dysfunction, exudative or constrictive pericarditis, due to increased venous pressure in the systemic circulation and increased capillary filtration pressure caused by edema. Cardiac edema is characterized by edema that first occurs in the ptosis, often throughout the body from the lower extremities, and ascites or pleural effusion can occur in severe cases. Edema is formed at a slower rate. The edema is solid and less mobile. The main basis for the diagnosis of cardiogenic edema is the history and signs of heart disease. Determination of a significant increase in venous pressure is an important indication for diagnosis.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.