Oedema

This is a condition, or a symptom of another underlying condition, in which there is retention of fluid in the body tissues, causing swelling of the veins or lymph of the affected body parts. The condition can affect different areas of body
When it occurring in the brain it is called cerebral oedema
When occurring in eyes it is called macular oedema
The most common of all is oedema in the other parts like arms, legs, hands, feet and ankles.
The water or fluid intake is through eating and drinking and its excretion is in the form of body sweat, urine, stool. An imbalance between the intake and discharge of fluids from the body determines the water level in the body at any given time. This can be affected by external factors like exercise and outside air temperature or certain internal factors like a kidney disorder or lifestyle factors like imbalanced diet.
Symptoms – oedema, itself may not be a condition, however, be a symptom of another affecting condition, so symptoms experienced are different depending on the condition with which the person is suffering. The usual symptoms are
Swelling in the skin of affected parts of body
Face, ankles and eyes become puffy
Body aches in affected areas
Stiffening of joints
Pitting oedema or appearance of hollow skin for sometime after pressing with a finger in the area
Increase in blood pressure and heart rate
Hand and neck veins become fuller
Gain or loss in body weight.

Causes

When there is an increase in pressure or damage to the smaller blood vessels or capillaries, they start to leak fluid into the tissues around it. This leads the kidneys to compensate for the fluid loss by storing higher levels of sodium and water than normal limits. Thus the blood circulation in the body increases in quantum, causing more leakage from capillaries and more swelling in the neighboring tissues. Causes of oedema are listed below:

• High air temperature
• High altitudes
• Menstrual cycle
• Lack of movement (like continuously sitting or standing) for long time periods
• Salt-rich diet
• Pregnancy
• Side effects of medicines for hypertension and corticosteroids.
• Contraceptive pill
• burns
• In serious conditions given below, oedema can be severe:
• kidney disorders
• heart diseases
• thyroid imbalance
• chronic lung problems
• arthritis
• diabetes
• cirrhosis or liver disease
• lack of balanced nutrition
• There can be different causes for oedema in legs:
• lymphoedema or swelling due to collection of lymph fluids in the tissues
• an abnormal growth or cyst formation
• varicose veins
• inflammation and infection
• blood clots

Diagnosis

To detect oedema, the GP will review the current symptoms and past medical history to advise suitable treatment.
Tests will be carried out if the GP needs to confirm an undiagnosed underlying condition that might be causing oedema. These tests include

• blood and urine tests
• test for liver function
• test for kidney function
• x-ray of the chest
• test for heart functions like ECG (electrocardiogram).

Treatment

Oedema can be treated by diagnosis and treatment of the condition causing oedema.
Person suffering from oedema may be prescribed diuretics which increase the urine excretion by increasing the water and sodium released by the kidneys. However, these are not suitable during pregnancy or if one has chronic venous insufficiency or weakening of valves if the veins of the legs.
Some self-care modifications and techniques can help reduce oedema
reduce intake of salt
lose weight if you are obese or overweight
regular exercise routine
avoid immobility for long time periods by stretching limbs at intervals
wear support stockings
improve circulation of blood by raising up your legs 3 to 4 times in a day.