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edema
Also known as dropsy, hydropsy, oedema, œdema, fluid retention, swelling, water retention
Edema (American English), also spelled oedema (Commonwealth English), and also known as fluid retention, swelling, dropsy and hydropsy, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Symptoms may include skin that feels tight, the area feeling heavy, and joint stiffness. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause.
AI overview
Edema is the buildup of fluid in your body's tissues, most often in the legs or arms, which can cause the skin to feel tight, the affected area to feel heavy, and stiffness in nearby joints. It matters because it's a symptom of an underlying condition that needs to be identified and addressed to resolve the swelling.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Medical condition.name
- Edema
- Medical condition.image
- Combinpedal.jpg
- Medical condition.caption
- "Pitting" edema
- Medical condition.field
- Cardiology, nephrology
- Medical condition.synonyms
- Oedema, œdema, fluid retention, water retention, dropsy, hydropsy
- Medical condition.symptoms
- Skin which feels tight, area may feel heavy
- Medical condition.onset
- Sudden or gradual
- Medical condition.causes
- Venous insufficiency, heart failure, kidney problems, low protein levels, liver problems, deep vein thrombosis, lymphedema
- Medical condition.types
- Generalized, localized
- Medical condition.diagnosis
- Based on a physical exam
- Medical condition.treatment
- Based on cause
via Wikipedia infobox
~18 min read
Article
15 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Specific area
- Generalized
- Cause
- Heart
- Kidneys
- Liver
- Veins
- Others
- Mechanism
- Molecular biology
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- References
- External links
Edema (American English), also spelled oedema (Commonwealth English), and also known as fluid retention, swelling, dropsy and hydropsy, is the build-up of fluid in the body's tissue. Most commonly, the legs or arms are affected. Symptoms may include skin that feels tight, the area feeling heavy, and joint stiffness. Other symptoms depend on the underlying cause.
Causes may include venous insufficiency, heart failure, kidney problems, low protein levels, liver problems, deep vein thrombosis, infections, kwashiorkor, angioedema, certain medications, and lymphedema. It may also occur in immobile patients (stroke, spinal cord injury, aging), or with temporary immobility such as prolonged sitting or standing, and during menstruation or pregnancy. The condition is more concerning if it starts suddenly, or pain or shortness of breath is present.