What is edema?
Edema is caused by excess fluids building up in body tissues because tiny blood vessels leak fluid. You might notice swelling, particularly in your arms, hands, legs, feet, and ankles. Various conditions can cause edema, some of which are serious. That’s why seeing your doctor at the first sign of a fluid buildup is essential.
What are the symptoms of edema?
Common symptoms of edema include:
- Stretched or shiny skin
- Puffiness in your arms or legs
- Dimpled or dented skin when pressed
- Abdominal swelling
- Increased body weight
Complications that can occur with edema and its underlying cause include difficulty walking, pain, stiffness, itchy skin, infections, decreased blood circulation, and scarring.
Your risk of developing skin ulcers increases, and you could suffer from a loss of elasticity in your veins, muscles, joints, and arteries.
What causes edema?
Common causes of edema include:
- High sodium diet
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Pregnancy
- Some medications
- Congestive heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Kidney damage
- Liver damage
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
- Weak lymphatic system
- Protein deficiency
Your Kidney360 specialist can find the root cause of your edema and develop an effective treatment plan.
How does my doctor find the cause of edema?
To figure out what’s causing edema, your provider reviews your medical history and symptoms. They complete a physical exam, paying close attention to your skin. Your specialist might press into your skin in areas where swelling occurs.
They might also order urine and blood tests and an ultrasound, X-rays, an MRI, or another imaging procedure to diagnose your condition and create an effective treatment plan.
What are common edema treatments?
Common treatments for edema and its underlying cause include:
- Medications
- Low-sodium diet
- Compression
- Elevation
- Massage
- Movement
- Healthy eating plans
- Reduced protein intake
- Dialysis
- Kidney transplant
If kidney problems are the root cause of your edema, Kidney360 specialists help you manage your disease and keep fluid from building up.
You can manage kidney disease with home remedies, lifestyle changes, medications, and dialysis when necessary. Your specialist makes medication changes as needed to minimize swelling and reduce your risk of complications. In some cases, they recommend a kidney transplant.
At the first sign of edema, call the Kidney360 office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
