What does it mean peripheral edema?

What does it mean peripheral edema?

Leg swelling caused by the retention of fluid in leg tissues is known as peripheral edema. It can be caused by a problem with the venous circulation system, the lymphatic system or the kidneys.

What are the two types of peripheral edema?

Types

• Peripheral edema: This affects the feet, ankles, legs, hands, and arms.
• Pulmonary edema: This occurs when excess fluid collects in the lungs, making breathing difficult.
• Cerebral edema: This occurs in the brain.
• Macular edema: This is a serious complication of diabetic retinopathy.

What is the difference between peripheral edema and edema?

Peripheral edema is edema (accumulation of fluid causing swelling) in tissues perfused by the peripheral vascular system, usually in the lower limbs. In the most dependent parts of the body (those hanging distally), it may be called dependent edema.

What happens if peripheral edema is left untreated?

If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation.

Is peripheral edema serious?

It’s a serious condition and requires emergency medical help. When the right side of your heart isn’t pumping effectively, blood can pool in your lower legs, causing edema. If the left side of your heart isn’t pumping effectively, fluid will accumulate in your lungs.

What is peripheral edema a symptom of?

Peripheral edema in your hands and feet is a symptom of preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy. Preeclampsia can develop slowly or suddenly. A rise in blood pressure is a main symptom. Edema isn’t considered a reliable indication of preeclampsia, because normal pregnancies also have peripheral edema.

Is peripheral edema curable?

Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics). One of the most common diuretics is furosemide (Lasix).

When should I worry about edema?

In most cases, a doctor should determine the cause of pitting edema and, if necessary, refer a person to a specialist. Some accompanying symptoms require urgent care. Anyone experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or swelling in a single limb should seek immediate medical attention.

What foods cause edema?

Foods that can cause inflammation

• Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. When there’s too much sugar in our system, our insulin tries to store the excess within fat cells, causing them to get larger.
• Artificial trans fats.
• Vegetable and seed oils.
• Refined carbohydrates.
• Alcohol.
• Red meat and processed meat.

What are the signs and symptoms of peripheral edema?

Generally, the most common signs and symptoms of peripheral edema include ( 2 ): swelling and puffiness, leaving a dent with your finger when you press on the area (which is called “pitting”) a feeling of pressure around the affected area, which can be related to pressure on the veins in your legs

What causes swelling and pain in the peripheral area?

Constant peripheral edema, day and night, suggests a more difficult underlying cause. Here are some common causes of peripheral edema, both temporary and systemic. A fracture, sprain, strain, or bad bruise in your leg, ankle, foot, or hand can result in swelling and pain.

Why is peripheral edema a concern for COPD patients?

While COPD does not directly cause edema, it can result in a medical condition called pulmonary hypertension which causes peripheral edema. Oftentimes, when a COPD patient experiences swelling in the hands, legs, or feet, they don’t associate it with their lung condition.

Are there any natural treatments for peripheral edema?

It certainly helps to be aware of the symptoms of pitting versus non-pitting edema and how these conditions differ in seriousness. It’s also good to know that there are natural ways to relieve swelling that’s due to water retention. Some herbs work as natural diuretics. Essential oils help to reduce inflammation.