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Fluid retention that can signal a serious heart problem

Edema, or swelling, occurs when excess fluid collects in your body’s tissues. Dependent edema is specific to parts of the body that that are influenced by gravity, such as your legs, feet, or arms.

Edema may be a side effect of medications for conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But in some cases, it can be a symptom of serious heart problem, such as:

• Chronic venous insufficiency

• Heart failure

• Kidney damage or disease
• Liver damage
• Lymphatic system damage

What are the symptoms of dependent edema?

Signs and symptoms may include:

• Bloating
• Stretched or itchy skin
• Shallow impression or dimple that forms when skin is pressed
• Swollen legs or arms

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Dependent edema: Definition, causes, and treatment

Edema is the term used to describe the swelling that results from excess fluid that is trapped in the tissues of the body. Dependent edema is caused by the effects of gravity and occurs when fluid pools in the lower parts of the body, including the feet, legs, or hands.

This article discusses the causes and symptoms of dependent edema, as well as the available treatment options.

Fast facts on dependent edema:

• The main symptom of dependent edema is swelling of the lower body parts.
• Dependent edema happens when gravity pulls blood toward the feet.
• The treatment for dependent edema will vary, and it may not be curable.

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Share on PinterestA problem in the veins may cause dependent edema, which is characterized by symptoms such as swollen and shiny skin.

Gravity pulls blood toward the parts of the body that are closest to the ground. For example, edema may occur in the feet, but people who are bedbound may experience edema in the buttocks.

Usually, the blood is pumped back from feet toward the heart by the veins and the motion of the muscles. When this system malfunctions, the lower body parts begin to fill up with excess fluid, causing the swelling and puffiness of edema.

According to the American Family Physician, one of the primary causes of dependent edema is a problem with the veins, although muscular issues may also contribute.

Signs and symptoms of this condition include:

• difficulty putting on shoes and socks due to swelling
• shiny skin
• stretched-looking skin

To differentiate between dependent edema and one of the other types of edema, apply gentle pressure to the affected area.

If dents appear on the skin, which is known as pitting, it suggests dependent edema.

Share on PinterestThose with dependent edema will need to monitor their skin health, and ensure they are aware of the warning signs.

People with dependent edema should be vigilant when it comes to their skin health because they are at increased risk of skin infections. When the skin stretches and breaks, it becomes more vulnerable to infections such as cellulitis, which is a bacterial skin infection that can spread rapidly to other body parts.

If anyone observes any signs of a serious skin issue, seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms include:

• a feeling that the skin is hot
• pus-like drainage
• redness
• slow-healing wounds
• swelling

The risk of skin infection can be reduced by keeping the skin around the affected areas clean and moisturizing the skin regularly.

If there is an underlying cause for the dependent edema, then treating the condition may resolve the edema. Sometimes, these conditions are not curable such as in the case of heart failure, so people may need to manage the edema to limit its symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.

A person can implement some lifestyle changes to help manage dependent edema:

Elevate the affected body parts

Because gravity causes dependent edema, elevating the affected area to above heart level allows the excess fluid to drain toward the heart. If edema affects the feet, for example, lying down and propping up the legs with cushions can help.

Use compression stockings or bandages

If the feet or legs are affected, wearing compression socks or leg sleeves can stop the collection of fluid in the tissues. Compression bandages are also available to wrap other areas of the body.

Manually move body parts

People who cannot move their arms or legs should try manual mobility. This involves moving the immobile body part, perhaps with the hands or with the assistance of another person.

This type of movement can encourage the muscles to pump blood and fluids more efficiently, which can prevent fluid buildup and reduce the edema. A doctor can advise on specific exercises that may further reduce swelling.

Reduce salt intake

A high-salt diet can increase water retention, which increases the likelihood of edema. Discuss salt intake with a doctor or dietitian.

Massage

Massage may move excess fluid out of the affected area. Using firm pressure, stroke the skin in the direction of the heart. Never use pressure that causes pain.

Skin hygiene

Keep the skin clean and moisturized to prevent cracks, scrapes, and cuts, which can lead to infection.

Foot protection

If edema occurs in the feet, wear suitable shoes that do not restrict blood flow but that protect the feet from injury and infection.

Dependent edema can lead to some complications, such as:

• difficulty walking
• discolored, thick skin
• pain and stiffness
• reduced blood circulation
• stretched, itchy, or tender skin
• ulcers
• varicose veins

Share on PinterestPeriorbital edema is a type of edema that affects the eye.

Dependent edema is just one type of edema.

Others include:

• Cerebral edema: A severe condition that involves excess fluid in the brain. This type of edema is most commonly caused by trauma, a tumor, or a burst blood vessel.
• Lymphedema: A swelling in the arms and legs that is usually caused by damage to the lymph nodes. It may be as a result of cancer or cancer treatments.
• Macular edema: Caused by an increase of fluid in the macula of the eye.
• Pedal edema: This occurs when fluid builds up in the feet and legs. This typically affects older adults and pregnant women.
• Peripheral edema: This usually affects the legs, feet, and ankles. It can indicate a problem in the kidneys, lymph nodes, or circulatory system.
• Pulmonary edema: Characterized by excess fluid in the air sacs of the lungs. It can lead to breathing difficulties.

Some causes of dependent edema are curable, and the edema may resolve once the underlying condition is treated. However, other causes have no cure.

However, there are some steps that a person can take to reduce symptoms and the risk of complications. Using elevation, compression, movement, and keeping the skin clean can offer relief to many people with dependent edema.

It is always important to discuss dependent edema and its symptoms with a doctor, who can best advise a person on the most effective treatment options for their condition.

definition, symptoms, pitting and non-pitting swelling

July 23, 2020 od Lukas

content

What is dependent edema?

Edema is the medical term for swelling. This happens when excess fluid enters your body tissues. There are several types of edema that can result from various medical problems such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease.

Dependent edema is a term doctors use to describe gravitational edema in the lower body. Gravity pulls the liquid towards the ground, causing too much accumulation in the lowest parts of the body, such as the feet, legs, or arms.

Dependent edema may occur in people with reduced mobility due to paralysis, stroke, ALS, or another condition. If you are in bed, you may develop dependent swelling in the buttocks.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of edema is swelling or swelling. In some cases, you may notice that your skin looks tight or shiny. They may also have trouble wearing shoes and socks if the feet are affected.

Depending on the swelling, pressure on the affected area may cause a dent to form. This characteristic is called pitting. If pressure on the skin doesn’t dimple or dimple, you may have another type of swelling.

What causes this?

Gravity naturally draws blood to the legs or the part of the body that is closest to the ground. The muscles and veins in the legs work together to pump blood from the legs to the heart. When this system does not work properly, the legs fill with fluid and swell. This may be due to muscle or vein problems. Fluid retention can also be caused by certain diseases, such as:

• heart failure
• cirrhosis of the liver
• malnutrition
• kidney failure

How is it treated?

Treatment of dependent edema includes a number of lifestyle changes and preventive measures. While some types of edema go away after the underlying cause is treated, conditions that cause dependent edema may not be curable.

There are several things you can do to reduce dependent swelling:

• Elevate the affected area. Raise the victim above the level of the heart to allow excess fluid to return to the heart.
• Wear compression stockings. Compression stockings put pressure on the legs and ankles to prevent fluid buildup. They come in a variety of sizes and styles, and can be custom made as needed.
• Practice arm movement. If you can’t move your arms or legs, try moving them by hand or help someone else. This movement can reduce fluid retention and activate muscle pumps.
• Eat a low salt diet. Eating too much salt can cause more water to be retained, which increases swelling.

Can this cause complications?

Dependent edema can lead to some complications over time.

Possible complications associated with swelling include:

• pain in the affected area
• difficulty walking
• stiffness
• stretched skin
• decreased circulation
• itching and tender skin
• varicose veins
• discoloration or skin thickening (also called stasis dermatitis)
• skin ulcers

You can help prevent some of these complications by keeping the affected area clean and moisturized.

As your skin stretches, it becomes more fragile, especially if you develop stasis dermatitis. This makes your skin more susceptible to infections such as cellulitis. You can reduce your risk of infection by keeping the skin of the affected area clean and moisturized.

Seek emergency care if you notice any signs of a skin infection, such as:

• redness
• swelling
• Bruising
• wounds that will not heal
• purulent discharge

Life with dependent edema

90 002 Causes of dependent swelling are not always treatable, but there are a few things you can do to reduce edema. In many cases, the combination of height and compression provides the most relief.

If you find that these methods do not work for you, talk to your doctor. You may need medication or custom compression stockings to help reduce swelling.

Cytotoxic cerebral edema

Cytotoxic cerebral edema refers to the type of cerebral edema most commonly seen in cerebral ischemia, in which the cells “swell” due to the influx of extracellular water.

This term is often used in clinical practice to refer to the combination of both true cytotoxic (cellular) edema with ionic cerebral edema. Since the pathophysiology of these two types of edema is different, as well as their visualization, they will be discussed separately, and this publication will focus on true cytotoxic edema.

Pathology

Cytotoxic edema develops as a result of the inability to ensure the functioning of the ATP-dependent Na+/K+ membrane pump responsible for maintaining high extracellular and low intracellular concentrations of Na+ ions [6]. The lack of oxygen and ATP supply causes an excessive supply of Na+ ions into the cell, which causes an increase in intracellular osmotic pressure and, accordingly, an excessive supply of water and Cl- ions into the cell along the osmotic gradient. This leads to cellular edema, a decrease in the volume of extracellular fluid, and is the main reason for the limitation of diffusion in DWI.

Cytotoxic edema is not associated with endothelial dysfunction or changes in capillary permeability, in contrast to vasogenic cerebral edema, in which there is a malfunction of the blood-brain barrier.

Morphologically, the process is characterized by the development of intracellular edema of the bodies and processes of astrocytes. The bodies of neurons are practically not affected by swelling processes until the moment of complete death of the glial cells surrounding them.

Diagnostics

Computed tomography

With true isolated cytotoxic edema, changes on CT scan are not very obvious, since a simple redistribution of water from extracellular to intracellular does not lead to a change in density. And the changes often described in the literature as ‘cytotoxic edema’ are actually manifestations of ionic edema, which will be described separately. Therefore, in acute ischemic stroke, the CT picture is often unchanged.

Magnetic resonance imaging

Since cytotoxic edema is a redistribution of water from extracellular to intracellular, there are no obvious changes in T1 or T2 images. As with CT, changes attributed to cytotoxic edema are actually ionic edema and will be described separately.