The most common types of swelling for people living with a terminal illness are: peripheral oedema — swelling under the skin, often in the legs lymphoedema — swelling under the skin caused by problems in the lymphatic system ascites — fluid build-up in the tummy abdomen. Read more about ascites. On this page:. Oedema causes swelling under the skin, and can also cause: stretched, shiny or discoloured skin pain and discomfort stiff joints leaking of fluid from the skin a feeling of tightness or heaviness.
What are the causes of oedema? Oedema can be caused by: illness, including cancer, heart failure and kidney failure side effects of medications not moving for long periods a very low level of protein in your blood hypoalbuminemia. What are the treatments for oedema?
Options for managing oedema include: using compression stockings putting your feet up when sitting keeping active — even gentle exercise can help medication. These techniques all encourage the fluid to drain away and reduce the swelling. When lymphatic fluid builds up in the body, it can cause problems including: swelling pain or discomfort a feeling of tightness or heaviness difficulty moving leaking of fluid from the skin thickening of the skin skin infection — lymphoedema means you have a higher risk of infection if you have a cut or scratch in your skin.
What are the causes of lymphoedema? What are the treatments for lymphoedema? Massage — a special type of massage called Manual Lymphatic Drainage encourages the fluid to drain away. This massage can be done by yourself, a carer or family member, or by a healthcare professional. Skin care — keep your skin clean and moisturised.
Clean any cuts or scratches with an antiseptic and cover them with a plaster — this can help to reduce the risk of infection. Exercise — moving your body, even a little bit, helps the lymphatic fluid to drain away. Diuretics water tablets are not recommended in the treatment of lymphoedema. Did you find this page useful? Your feedback will help us improve our information and support resources.
What is oedema? What are the different types of oedema? What are the symptoms of oedema? This swelling often happens gradually, but in some cases it may appear suddenly. These symptoms may include: puffy eyes — especially on waking up in the morning your skin or body feeling tight or full pain in the swollen body part a swollen tummy — if you have oedema in your tummy shortness of breath or trouble breathing as normal — if you have oedema in your lungs heavy, achy arms and legs, trouble moving around, thickened skin and clear fluid leaking from your skin — if you have a build-up of lymph fluid a really bad headache — if you have fluid build-up around your brain When to see a doctor about oedema Oedema is often harmless, but sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious — even if the swelling seems mild.
What causes oedema? Lifestyle causes of oedema Some of the most common causes of oedema are linked to daily habits and lifestyle. These include: staying in the same position for too long — this includes lying in bed, travelling or generally sitting or standing for a long time eating too much salty food being overweight Medical conditions that can cause oedema Normal body changes caused by being pregnant or having a period can cause oedema, but so can medical conditions, including: an insect bite or sting physical damage or injury to a part of your body taking certain medications — e.
How is oedema diagnosed? This may involve: listening to your heart and lungs blood tests urine tests imaging tests — such as ultrasound scans of your legs if you have leg swelling What is pitting oedema?
How is oedema treated? What can I expect after having oedema? Your health questions answered Will drinking more water help with oedema? What happens if oedema is left untreated?
What is pitting oedema? Answered by Dr Aleem Qureshi from the Healthily Medical Team Key takeaways oedema is a buildup of fluid in spaces between your body's cells it can affect most parts of your body it has many causes, including being overweight, pregnancy, standing or sitting for too long, and heart, kidney or liver disease the treatment for oedema depends on its cause, but specific lifestyle changes can help improve less serious types of oedema both pulmonary and cerebral oedema are life-threatening types of oedema that need immediate medical treatment.
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What is oedema? Fluid passes into the lungs and body tissues, causing breathlessness and progressive swelling in the feet and ankles. Accident or injury causing a strain or sprain. A reaction to an insect bite or sting. An infection. Lymphoedema, which is an abnormal collection of lymph fluid. Problems with the kidneys or liver. A DVT: A potentially serious blood clot in the deep blood vessels of the leg. Medications including blood pressure tablets, contraceptive pills, antidepressants and steroids.
When oedema is an emergency Some swelling cannot wait for a routine appointment and investigations. You should call or contact London Medical for urgent care if you develop sudden oedema and: The swelling is on one side only, especially if there has been no history of injury. The swelling develops suddenly. The swelling is painful and severe. The foot or ankle is red or feels hot.
Your temperature is raised or you feel feverish, shivery and unwell. You have diabetes. Call if you have leg swelling and: Chest pain feels heavy, tight or worse on breathing in Breathlessness Coughing up blood. These measures help maintain good blood circulation and minimise the chances of other health problems. The best way to treat oedema is by directly treating the cause.
It is very important to treat oedema because, in addition to the annoying symptoms, the skin can continue to stretch. In the following circumstances, you should ask for an urgent appointment:. Persistent oedema may require lifestyle changes, such as adopting a low salt diet or losing weight. Home Medical dictionary O Oedema. Index: What is oedema? Symptoms of oedema Causes of oedema Can oedema be prevented?
Oedema treatment What is oedema?
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