Edema

Question: What are the potential causes of edema in lower leg muscles? I had an MRI done on my lower leg (between knee and ankle) to look for the source of pain that’s lasted for more than 10 months. Nothing showed up to explain this pain, but the MRI of both legs showed large white specks that the MD diagnosed as edema. What does this mean, and what might cause it? How can I reverse the damage?

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Question: What causes stage 4 pitted edema and how is it treated? This is the second bout of edema for me. My doctor suggested support hose and gave me script for relieving water retention. This pitted edema is itchy and I can actually scale off skin on my calves. I am 74 and in not terrible state of health for my age, but this has me curious about its cause and treatment. Anyone out there with a modicum of nursing background, please jump right in. Thanks to one and all and may you have MANY BLESSINGS.

Answer: It is most likely from congestive heart failure (CHF) given your age i would agree with the above poster it could be your kidneys, but its most likely your heart. I would recommend walking, and buying the hose (make sure you buy a pair that properly fit). The water pill is the only thing that is going to help this. you will need to diurese (pee) off that extra fluid. The other thing that you may need is an echocardiogram of your heart to see if it is pumping correctly, and a simple EKG to see if all the muscles in the heart are working in in good order. there are conditions with your heart valves, or the number of times your heart contracts that could be causing your edema. Please stick with the meds, i know it is not fun to have to go to the bathroom all the time.

Question: What are the treatment options for pitting edema in the lower extremities? I have tried elevating the legs but this isn't always possible especially at work. Have a stent in the left coronary artery; on blood pressure medicine and aspirin regimen. Also bipolar disorder recently diagnosed. Taking Lithium and Risperdal. Also taking famotidine for stomach pain. Just worried that the edema is cardiac related and worry about Congestive Heart Failure. Heart problems are very predominant in family history.

Answer: have you been tested for liver or kidney disease? you mention you have mental disease...if these organs are malfunctioning, it can send all sorts of toxins into the brain, thus in turn causing mental illness and edema. if your having stomache pain could it be upper right quadrant pain (liver?) i'd get tested for liver and kidney disease and then go from there....wish i could be more help.

Question: What does plus 1 mean when talking about weight and edema? I was at the Dr and she was looking at my Weight/Edema on my legs and she said that I am at plus 1 already. I am thinking it has to do with my edema but maybe not. I gained 27 pounds and I am 36 weeks pregnant.

Answer: This has to do with how much swelling on your legs. 1+ edema means that when she presses on your leg where swelling occurs, it takes 1 second for the skin to bounce back, or become even so that there is no indention left on the skin. The number is just how many seconds it takes to recoil. 1+ is not too bad. Keeping your feet up especially above the level of your heart and decreasing salty foods can help with swelling. Also drink plenty of water, dehydration causes more swelling because your body actually will hold on to fluid which will cause more swelling in the legs.Hope this helps. Good Luck!

Question: How important is it for my mother to wear her tight socks for her edema in her feet and ankles? My elderly mother has edema--pooling of fluids in her ankles and feet. Her doctor has recommended she wear tight fitting, thigh high stockings to keep the fluids out of her lower extremities. But the stockings are very hard for me as caregiver to put on and take off. She hates the whole process, as do I. The swelling is moderate. What bad things might happen if she doesn't wear the stockings and control the fluid in her ankles and feet?

Answer: Without her support hose, her legs will swell and become uncomfortable. Continuing to allow them to swell will stretch out her lymphatic system, allowing more swelling. Lymphatic fluid is the "garbage men" of the body, taking waste away that the blood can't handle. So swollen ankles can make her more susceptible to infection. To aid in putting on the socks, get a "butler" - it's a heavy wire contraption that stretches out the sock so she can slide her foot into it. Then use rubber gloves (like the cleaning ones) to ease the stocking up her leg. The socks should start out inside out (except the foot) and basically roll up her leg. Yes, they're a major pain to put on, but they really will keep her legs healthier.

Question: How to get rid of feet and ankle swelling from edema? My uncle has been suffering from edema for about over a year. His feet and ankles are swelled up and it is very hard for him to move around. He has tried everything from trying to limit salt intake to even wearing compression stockings. Is there anything he can do to get rid of this extra fluid in his feet and ankles?

Answer: Many times a doctor will give a diuretic for that. It's a medication that makes you pee. Has he tried that? Does he have heart or kidney problems?

Question: Singing: How do you reduce vocal swelling/edema with a cold virus? I am coming down with a cold two days before I have to sing at a wedding. I am a trained opera singer, so pls understand that I am not 'losing voice' due to any bad techniques. But I need help on how to reduce edema to the vocal folds without risking vocal hemmorhage when I sing. I have mild laryngitis -- I can technically sing, but my head resonance has gone to crap and my control is lessened due to swelling of the cords. Range is down by a whole step, as I have to start covering on F#4 instead of G#4, and I can't seem to hold the breath very well, presumably because my cords are swollen and can't close all the way. This is due to a virus: My mom came down with something very similar on Christmas (of course), but I did not know about it until after I had been around her for a while. She lost her speaking voice a couple of days later, and is still recovering. I have no allergies or respiratory disorders. Anyone have ideas on how I can heal by Saturday? Or at least sing?

Answer: See an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor right now. Vitamin C speeds healing time, and Ibprofen is an anti-inflammatory, so both might help reduce swelling. I also suck on cough drops with vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea when I'm sick. Break a leg.

Question: Is there an allergy to cold weather causing edema or swelling? Hello. I'm just wondering about cold urticaria. I've read it shows symptoms of skin irritation and breathing difficulty. What about edema induced by cold temperatures? Is there such an allergy? What's it called?

Answer: I am putting in a reference to different type of hives. Cold urticaria is one of them. I had hives for 10 years and finally got rid of them by going on a gluten free diet following a diagnosis of celiac disease which is an intolerance to the gluten found in wheat, rye and barley. You can get tested with blood work and possibly an endoscopy. If those tests are negative, you might try one or two months on a gluten free diet to see if it helps. Good luck, Hives are a pain.

Question: Does anyone know what I can do about pitted edema in my legs? I currently have no health insurance, hopefully that will change soon. I have swelling in my legs, through some research I've discovered I have pitted edema. Is there anything I can do to treat myself at home until I get insurance. What happens if it goes untreated?

Answer: Dont self diagnose!!! The only thing that that will accomplish is scaring yourself!!! Go to a free clinic by your house and have it diagnosed there.... hopefully they can give you some tips on how to treat it and take care of it. Good luck!

Question: from the standpoint of reducing edema, how does the use of medical leeches work for a region that has suffered? lymphatic vessels have a one-way flow from the extremities to the heart. Damage to the lymphatic system can lead to edema, an increase in tissue fluid.

Answer: Another homework question that you don't want to research yourself. Leeches have been used for hundreds of years or longer. When a limb or body part is injured, circulation can be impaired, and return circulation of blood or lympth can be interrupted. The result is backup of blood in the body part, and the part will become edematous and swollen. Medical leeches can be attached to the part, and they will suck out the blood or lymph fluid, which allows fresh blood/lymph to circulate in, thus simulating normal circulation in the body part. Hopefully, collateral circulation will grow and the limb/extremity/body part will develop "normal" circulation shortly thereafter. But in the interim, leeches will keep sufficient circulation working so that the limb/body part is saved from death and the the inevitable gangrene.

Question: what's the difference between apoplexy and cerebral edema? i know apoplexy means sudden death but i want the clear explanation of both.is apoplexy similar to cerebral edema?Bruce lee died because of cerebral edema or apoplexy?

Answer: Apoplexy is due to sudden rupture of intracranial artery that cause severe brain hemorrhage while cerebral edema is due to swelling of brain tissue by fluid due to many causes

Question: What to do/eat when having edema during pregnancy? My ankles have been swollen for a few days now, sometimes my legs get swollen up too and sometimes not. I have been told to elevate my legs while resting, sleep on my left side, and drink lots of water, and minimize my salt intake. My doctor has also given me some gel that is supposed to absorb some of the water in my legs. Do you know any diet that I can follow to reduce the swelling? What did you do if you have ever experienced edema during your pregnancy? I am 6 months pregnant now.

Answer: I was basically told the same things with my first. Salt is the major thing. Check the ingrediants before eating anything you will be surprised at what you may find. No soda or caffiene is what i was told as it can make it worse. And fill a gallon jug up of water and make urself drink it before you allow yourself to drink anything else. This is what i did with my first and it really seemed to help. Also wear lose fitting cloths and rest whenever you can. hope this helps.

Question: What are the clinical findings of a person that has pulmonary edema? I know what it is....PLEASE don't cut and paste long article. Please. just wondering if anyone knows some of the things you would look for. someone could develop pulmonary edema pretty fast, huh? you would hear crackles/rales and hear a lub-dub-dub (3 sounds) heart beat. am i right? what r some of the other things you might find-if they were developing it fast? or if you suspected it? what would make u suspect it?

Answer: Shortness of breath. , Drop in 02 sats. Some patients become disoriented from the lack of oxygen,, combative if you can believe it. Your would hear rales (crackles) in ALL lung fields. A gurgling sound at the back of the throat. Decreased 02 sats. nails beds would take on a blue to purple tint, extremities become mottled. Progresses to pink frothy secretions from the mouth and sometimes the nose. Confirmed on a CXR ( but lets face it any healthcare professional will know without it) Immediate administration of lasix, foley catheter to monitor output. Intubation is seriously considered at this point.

Question: What is the cause of the peripheral edema that often manifests with glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome? What is the cause of the peripheral edema that often manifests with glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome? A. Systemic inflammation B. Right heart failure C. Loss of plasma proteins in urine D. Sodium retention

Answer: C. These kidney conditions cause protein to be lost in the urine. When there is low plasma protein there is low oncotic pressure which causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and into the interstitium causing edema.

Question: What is a CHEM III ordered for my chart says edema in one place dementia in another? Doing my care plans , I'm a nursing student 1st semester, pt has a CHEM III ordered, every 180 days, one place in chart says for edema and other says for senile dementia? Can not find info anywhere? and she does 1:1 conference and asks all surfaces of labs, meds etc... can not find this one however?

Answer: There are different chem panels ordered. In the US, the most common are chem 8 (aka BMP) and Chem 12s (aka CMPs). Chem 8's check electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) and kidney function (BUN and Creatinine). CMPs also test liver function tests. There are many reasons to check these tests. For edema, sodium and renal/ liver function is important to check.

Question: Why do I get edema when I have not purged in a while? I am bulimic, and when I try to recover I get edema, what causes this? How long will it take to go away?

Answer: You know your nutrition is impaired . especially in bulimics who have stopped purging for awhile. It is such a deficit that your entire body suffers from the imbalance caused by vomiting and swelling occurs. This is not your fault. You have anxiety and depression and bulimia is a result of it. That is what I Truly believe and the edema is a fact.believe in yourself and pat youself on the back for recognizing what you are doing to your body.

Question: What is mild soft tissue edema around the acromioclavicular joint? MRI with some acromioclavicular arthropathy with bone marrow edema at the distal clavicle and some mild soft tissue edema around the acromioclavicular joint.

Answer: Oedema is swelling of part of body and accumulation of fluid in the tissue space Physical therapy -short wave dia thermy may help to cure it

Question: Which of the following is not a possible effect of edema? Which of the following is not a possible effect of edema? Dehydration, pain, functional impairment, or decreased circulation?

Answer: Oedema is swelling, and it has nothing to do with dehydration

Question: How do I keep the edema in my legs, ankles and feet under control? Please only answer if your willing to help and not joke.Medicaly knowledgeable persons help!This edema hurts and is a real nuisance. It prevents me from working! I have been tested for heart problems and every other problem that could be causing it, and none doc says. I'm peri-menopausel and have noticed it's getting worse the further I travel in my menopause years.Im looking for a good remedy for this and one with no caffeine.

Answer: Well, if u have a heart-problem then a very radical measure to control ur edema could actually damage ur heart further, since whenever the edema fluid disappears, it enters the veins & then enters the heart, which puts further burden upon it. Otherwise if ur not suffering, U could try keeping the legs raised at night (but which might make u feel breathless if u have a heart problem), or wearing tight stockings. During the day, if ur job involves standing at one place, don't do that; keep strolling around. Or alternatively, stand on ur toes for some time (this would make the calf muscles contract and push the blood into the veins, which would prevent pooling of blood in ur feet--the actual cause of edema). Also, make sure u do not have any varicose veins. If u feel cold, depressed, lethargic, not hungry, and have gained weight in recent times, u could be suffering from hypothyroidism. Hope this helps. Bye. TC.

Question: What is Edema and Is It Related To Pain? What is edema and is it related to swollen lymph nodes in the armpits?

Answer: Edema is essentially tissue fluid that has leaked out of the cells and plasma that has leaked out of the blood vessels and is now in the interstitial (between) space and can't get back in and so the area is swollen. This has many causes. Liver problems (cjanges the proteins & thus the oncotic pressures), parasites in the lymph system acting as an obstruction, profound malnutrition, heart failure, etc. If the lymph nodes were so swollen that they physically blocked lymphatic (tissue fluid) from flowing back to the thoracic duct & the heart, swelling could occur. If there is cancer cells, that may effect the nodes & the edema. Since this is a complex problem, it is hard to say cause & effect so easily.