What is Edema and How is it Treated?

Edema is a medical condition caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues, especially in the legs, ankles, and feet. The result is moderate to severe swelling, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms.

Anyone can develop edema, but it's prevalent in pregnant women and people over 65 years of age. It could be a sign of a chronic medical problem, so it's essential to seek treatment for edema immediately.

At Metro Renal Associates, our three experienced nephrologists are edema and kidney disease experts. We provide diagnostic testing and treatments for edema, including diuretic medications.

Understanding edema

Edema is the term for swelling caused by fluid build-up in the body. It's prevalent in the legs and feet but can occur anywhere.

Some people experience intermittent edema from an injury or their diet. Others have chronic edema from medical problems, especially kidney issues. There are several grades of edema, from grade one to grade four. 

Grade one is the least severe form of edema, while grade four is severe and has significant skin pitting. We grade edema by how quickly the skin rebounds after we press on it and the amount of pitting left behind.

Edema can be severe enough to affect daily activities, especially in the legs or abdomen. The swelling puts pressure on the skin, which may also result in open sores that are slow to heal.

Various problems cause edema, including certain medications, venous insufficiency, and underlying medical problems like chronic kidney disease.

Edema treatments

Treating edema is necessary to get back to normal activities and prevent complications. It's essential to seek treatment for edema, especially if you have a kidney condition.

We perform a physical exam and discuss your medical history to determine the cause of edema. Diagnostic testing may be necessary to check kidney function and decide if you have high blood pressure or other chronic health problems.

Treating edema involves addressing the underlying health issue. If you have kidney disease, we address the problem and provide medications like diuretics to eliminate excess fluid.

Diuretics are medications that stimulate urine production to eliminate an overabundance of water and sodium. The result is frequent urination but less fluid in the tissues.

We also suggest wearing compression stockings to alleviate edema. These stockings work by compressing the skin and veins, forcing blood to flow back up to the heart. They are effective when used in conjunction with other treatments for edema.

Can I prevent edema?

Unfortunately, not everyone can prevent edema. Living with a chronic medical condition like congestive heart failure or kidney disease increases the risk of developing edema, even if you're doing everything correctly.

If you're living with liver disease, kidney problems, or heart disease, the best thing you can do is maintain a healthy lifestyle. Take your medications as we prescribe them, and watch how much fluid you take in daily.

Sometimes, edema results from too much salt intake, which is an easy fix. To prevent edema, cut back on salt and maintain a low-sodium diet. If you're obese, you should also lose weight to help control medical problems and eliminate excess fluid.

For those at risk for edema, getting up and moving is critical to prevent fluid build-up in the legs and feet. Prop your feet up while sitting to promote blood flow and decrease swelling.

Call Metro Renal Associates in Washington, D.C., and Capitol Heights, Maryland, today to schedule an appointment for edema, or use our convenient online booking tool to request a consultation.