Excess fluid buildup in the body can be a normal physiological response or a sign of a serious health condition. This blog explores the causes of edema, effective relief strategies, and key signs that indicate when professional medical care is needed to maintain overall health and well-being.
What Is Edema?
The meaning of Edema is “swelling” or “to swell”. By definition, edema is the retention of excess fluid in the body due to any cause. Although it can occur in any part of the body, edema is most commonly encountered in the legs, feet, and ankles. Older patients (65 years and above), pregnant females, are more prone to developing swelling due to fluid accumulation in various body parts.
Obvious signs of edema in the body include a sudden increase in the size of an area, stretched and shiny overlying skin, difficulty in daily activities due to abnormal swelling, mild discomfort in the affected area, and cough or breathing issues. The cause of edema may be lifestyle factors, or it may point to a more serious health problem. It is a symptom that shouldn’t be disregarded. Long-standing and unresolved edema warrants a detailed check-up from an experienced healthcare provider.
What Are the Causes of Edema in the Body?
The classification of various edema causes is as follows:
Lifestyle Choices
Daily activities and lifestyle choices like spending too much time sitting or standing, ingesting excessive amounts of salt, dehydration, and a sedentary routine lead to the development of edema. When edema develops due to standing or sitting for long hours on end, it is referred to as Dependent Edema.
Health Issues
Abnormal fluid accumulation may be a sign of kidney issues, heart disease (Congestive heart failure), Liver pathologies (Cirrhosis), or poor venous circulation.
Hormonal
Pregnancy is one of the most common causes of developing edema. Apart from that, premenstrual syndrome or issues of the Thyroid gland can result in edema as well.
Medication
Certain medications can cause fluid retention, such as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), Corticosteroids, Calcium-channel blockers, etc.
Problems with the Immune System
A weakened immune system can contribute to fluid retention and swelling. Conditions like infections, burns, allergic reactions, and traumatic injuries can cause fluid buildup in the affected area by disrupting its regulation.
How Is Edema Produced in the Body?
Edema is an issue of the fluid regulation system. When there is an imbalance in this system, it impacts the movement of fluid between the blood vessels and the surrounding tissues, leading to its accumulation. The fluid regulation system in the body is controlled by a set of four forces, which are collectively called The Starling’s Forces. These include the:
- Hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries
- Oncotic pressure in the capillaries
- Interstitial hydrostatic pressure
- Interstitial oncotic pressure
An imbalance in Starling’s forces leads to fluid filtration out of the capillaries and its accumulation in the interstitial space, leading to fluid retention or edema.
How Many Types of Edema Are There?
Various edema types are classified based on location, underlying cause, and characteristics.
By Location
Based on location, edema is either confined to one location or impacts the entire body:
Generalized Edema
Another term for generalized edema is Anasarca. It occurs due to severe health issues like kidney failure, heart or liver diseases, and malnutrition.
Localized Edema
This type of edema is limited to one part of the body, like pedal edema, macular edema, laryngeal edema, etc.
By Cause
Various benign or serious conditions may cause edema. These include trauma, lymphatic blockage, pregnancy, hormonal issues, allergies, etc.
By Characteristics
There are two types of edema based on the presenting characteristics:
Pitting Edema
If the depression/indentation remains at the site of edema for a few seconds after pressing with a finger, it is referred to as pitting edema. This type of edema usually indicates issues with the kidneys, heart, etc.
Non-pitting Edema
When the skin bounces back quickly after pressing the site of edema with a finger, it is the non-pitting kind. Non-pitting edema may indicate a thyroid issue, infection, or inflammation.
What Are The Grades of Edema?
The edema grading scale measures the extent of the pitting edema by timing the duration it takes for the indentation in the skin to bounce back. There are four edema grades, ranging from mild to severe.
Grade 1 – 2mm pitting with immediate bounce back
Grade 2 – 3mm to 4mm pitting with < 15-second bounce back
Grade 3 – 5mm to 6mm pitting, rebound time >15 seconds but below 60 seconds
Grade 4 – Approx. 8mm pitting, rebound time >60 seconds
What Are the Options for Edema Treatment?
Depending upon the underlying cause, there are multiple ways for effective edema prevention and treatment. These include:
Lifestyle Measures
Lifestyle modifications are an effective form of edema therapy. An active lifestyle, elevation of the edematous area, compression, and adequate water intake lead to decreased fluid retention and resolution of any edema if present.
Appropriate Alterations in Diet
Decreasing salt, increasing magnesium levels, and adding high-potassium foods like bananas, avocados, etc., in the diet can successfully prevent edema. Anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, Omega-3 fatty acids, and various berries also play a role in preventing fluid retention.
Natural Treatments/Home Remedies
Lymphatic massage, herbal diuretic teas, and essential oils (such as cypress or grapefruit) can help reduce fluid buildup and relieve mild edema.
Medications
Edema due to pathological causes requires medications like diuretics and treating the underlying cause to resolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does drinking water assist in relieving edema?
Yes, it may sound illogical, but adequate hydration can improve or relieve edema. Water flushes out the sodium from the body, reducing dehydration and fluid retention.
When to get medical help for edema?
Sudden onset/severe edema that is associated with other symptoms (pain, Breathlessness), that is refractory to any home or natural remedies that you try, is cause for concern, and requires immediate medical evaluation.
Can sleep decrease edema?
Yes, appropriate sleeping positions may improve edema. Elevation of the affected body part with the help of a pillow while sleeping assists in fluid drainage and prevents further retention.
Is there a correlation between stress and edema?
Stress can indirectly be the cause of developing edema. High-stress levels lead to an increase in hormones like cortisol, which leads to fluid and sodium retention.
