Have you noticed how your shoes feel tighter at the end of a long day, or that your fingers swelled just enough to make it hard to remove a ring? If so, you’ve likely experienced edema. It is common, but frequently overlooked, when fluid builds up under the skin. While it is not usually harmful, if swelling hangs around, it can signal underlying health problems like heart or kidney issues or even recent changes from pregnancy.
Knowledge about the types of edema, while also noting specific symptoms, and how they can be treated, will help you catch these potential health issues even earlier. In this blog, we detail types of edema, why edema happens, tips to get you prepared for recognizing specific warning signs, and ways to modify to get relief.
What Is Edema?
Edema is just the medical term for swelling resulting from fluid buildup in the body’s tissues. Edema can lead to puffy feet, swollen ankles, and larger legs and hands. Again, it can occur anywhere in the body. Edema is common if you sit or stand for a long time or if it is an especially hot day, but when it happens, it can sometimes signal deeper health problems like kidney or heart issues. Understanding what edema is, what the signs of edema are, and understanding the terminology are all important first steps to successfully treating and managing it.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms of edema vary based on the affected area and underlying cause. Common signs include:
- Swelling or puffiness in areas like ankles, legs, feet, hands, or face.
- Stretched or shiny skin, which may feel tight.
- Pitting edema, where the swollen skin indents when gentle pressure is applied.
- Discomfort or pain, with swollen areas feeling heavy, achy, or stiff.
- Restricted movement, as swelling may limit joint mobility and hinder everyday movements.
- Noticeable weight gain due to fluid retention.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, especially in pulmonary edema—requires immediate medical attention.
Recognizing these signs early can help in seeking treatment and preventing complications.
Causes of Edema
Causes of edema range from minor lifestyle factors to serious health conditions. Common causes include:
- Prolonged standing or sitting, where gravity pulls fluids to the legs and feet, causing swelling.
- Pregnancy, due to hormonal changes and pressure from the growing uterus affecting circulation.
- High salt intake, leading to fluid retention.
- Underlying health conditions such as:
- Heart failure, which affects circulation and fluid balance.
- Liver dysfunction, which can cause fluid buildup.
- Kidney disease, which impacts the body’s ability to regulate fluids.
Identifying the root cause is crucial for effective treatment and relief.
Types of Edema
Peripheral Edema
Peripheral Edema is the swelling of any part of the body, usually in the feet, legs, ankles, arms, or hands, due to fluid build-up and is common. It often occurs with prolonged immobility, high sodium (salt) diets, or health issues such as underlying heart failure, kidney disease or circulation problems. Symptoms include mild swelling or puffiness, that is uncomfortable, a feeling of heaviness about the swollen area, and trouble using the unaffected limb when swelling. Elevating the affected area and general lifestyle coping measures can alleviate symptoms and discomfort.
Pulmonary Edema
Pulmonary Edema is the fluid build-up of your lungs, which may inhibit your breath and overall oxygen exchange. Pulmonary Edema is a serious health complication and may occur due to heart failure, an infection, or severe respiratory distress. Some symptoms include difficulty breathing, a persistent cough (with or without frothy sputum), chest pain, and feelings of suffocation or anxiety. If you think you are experiencing Pulmonary Edema, immediate medical help is essential and may involve using oxygen therapy, medications to reduce fluid build-up, and treating the underlying cause.
Cerebral Edema
Cerebral edema refers to the presence of swelling occurring inside the brain due to the accumulation of fluid. Cerebral edema is extreme and requires immediate medical intervention, commonly caused by traumatic injuries, strokes, infections, or tumors. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness, or some neurological deficit. Treatment usually consists of medication, surgical procedures, or a rapid reduction in intracranial pressure to prevent permanent injuries to the brain or death.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema appears when the lymphatic system, whose job is to drain extra fluid, is compromised and caused swelling, usually in the arms and legs. Lymphedema is commonly caused by some type of cancer treatment, an infection, or may begin genetically. Symptoms of lymphedema are persistent swelling, feeling of heaviness, restricted movement, thickened skin, and frequent infections. Although lymphedema cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively with use of compression therapy, massage, exercise, and proper skin care to minimize discomfort.
Macular edema
Macular edema affects the eyes and is related to the macula, which is the central area of the retina and responsible for sharp vision. Macular edema is the accumulation of fluid that causes blurred or distorted central vision, commonly related to diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, or blockage of the retinal veins. People may have difficulty reading, recognizing faces, and seeing fine details clearly. Treatment for Macular edema usually includes some type of medication, laser treatment, or shots directly into the eye to reduce swelling and improve vision.
Periorbital edema
Periorbital edema refers to swelling around the eyes, which can create a puffy or exhausted appearance. The causes of periorbital edema are related to allergies, fatigue, infection, fluid retention, or thyroid function. It can occur in one or two eyes and may or may not be associated with redness, itching, or mild discomfort depending on the underlying cause. Treatment is based on the underlying cause and may include cold compresses, improving sleep habits, or topical or oral antihistamines for quick relief and resolution of edema.
Pitting edema
In regard to pitting edema, it is swelling that, when pressed with a finger, can result in a temporary depression or “pit,” in the skin. Pitting edema is usually associated with circulation, kidney disease, or heart disease, and is found in the lower extremities more commonly than upper extremities. The areas with swelling may feel tight, be shiny in appearance, and the patient may report persistent swelling. Treatment of pitting edema is related to the underlying cause and may include dietary changes, minimizing salt intake, and positioning or elevating swollen body areas when possible.
How Is Edema Diagnosed?
Edema is diagnosed with a physical examination. The physician measures any swelling and checks for skin indentation (the pitting), and will obtain a medical history that includes medication history and lifestyle. Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered, including blood tests, urine tests (analyses?), ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI to determine an underlying cause; these may include heart disease, kidney disease or liver disease. An accurate diagnosis assists doctors in determining the actual cause of edema, which permits appropriate and efficient treatment options to be initiated.