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:: About :: Causes :: Symptoms :: Treatment :: Further Reading Search results last updated: 9/12/2008

About oedema (Source: NHSDirect)
The body is made of millions of cells, most of them linked together to form tissues . The cells are filled with (and surrounded by) fluid. Therefore, the majority of a person's body weight (about 65%)consists of water. What is oedema? Oedema is fluid retention and it occurs when there is too much fluid (mainly water) in the body's tissues, causing swelling to occur in the affected area. The swelling is usually related to the venous ( veins ) system, or the lymphatic system (tubes that carry lymph, a fluid that helps fight infection and clear fluid). Oedema can affect: the hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs (swelling is most common in these areas), the brain (known as cerebral oedema), and the eyes (known as macular oedema). Normally, the amount of water in the body is determined by the difference between fluid that is taken in and fluid that is taken out (discharged). Fluid is taken into the body by eating and drinking, and by water produced by bodily processes. It is discharged from the body in the form of urine, faeces, sweat, and non-visible perspiration, for example, when breathing out.. Factors such as the surrounding air temperature, and strenuous exercise, can affect the amount of water that is taken in and out of the body. In people with oedema, the excess fluid can be caused by a number of factors. This is because oedema is not a condition itself, but is often a symptom of an underlying condition. For example, it can be a sign of kidney disease , or lymphoedema. Lymp ...
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Causes of oedema (Source: NHSDirect)
Oedema can occur when the small blood vessels (capillaries) leak fluid into the surrounding body tissue . This may happen as a result of increased pressure in (or damage to) the capillaries. If your capillaries start leaking, your kidneys will store more sodium and water than normal in order to make up for the lost fluid. As a result, the amount of blood circulating through your body is increased, causing the capillaries to leak even more, and the surrounding tissue to swell. Oedema can be caused by: immobility , for example either sitting or standing for long periods of time, hot weather, exposure to high altitudes, burns, menstruation, pregnancy, the contraceptive pill, medication , such as high blood pressure medicine,and corticosteroids , or salty foods . In more serious cases, oedema can be caused by: kidney disease , heart failure, chronic lung disease , thyroid disease , liver disease , such as cirrhosis, diabetes, arthritis , or malnutrition . Oedema in the leg may be caused by: blood clots, varicose veins , infection and inflammation , lymphoedema , which is a chronic swelling that occurs when lymph fluid does not fully drain away from the tissues , or rarely a growth or cyst . ...
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Symptoms of oedema (Source: NHSDirect)
Symptoms of oedema include: swelling of the skin which can occur anywhere on the body, puffiness of the ankles, face or eyes, skin that stays hollow for a few seconds after being pressed (pitting oedema), aching body parts, stiff joints , weight gain, or loss, fuller hand and neck veins , and r aised blood pressure and pulse rate . The symptoms of oedema will depend on the underlying cause of the condition, so you may not experience all of them. ...
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oedema - Conventional Treatments (Source: NHSDirect)
Treatment of oedema involves diagnosing and treating the condition responsible for causing the condition. Your GP may prescribe diuretics. These increase your output of urine by raising the amount of water and sodium that your kidneys release. However, diuretics are not suitable if you are pregnant, or you have weakened valves in the veins of your legs ( chronic venous insufficiency). Your GP may also recommend some simple self-care techniques, to reduce the build up of fluid, such as: reducing your salt intake, losing weight (if you are overweight), taking regular exercise, raising your legs 3-4 times a day to improve your circulation, wearing support stockings, massaging the affected area, and taking regular breaks to stretch your legs when you are travelling. ...
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Further Reading on oedema
  • Food Allergy Treatments ( WebMD )
    Adverse food reactions can be broadly classified into 2 categories . The first category consists of immunologically - mediated ...observed symptoms include oropharyngeal pruritus, angioedema (eg,
  • oedema ( HealthEncyclopaedia )

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