Edema occurs when body fluids trickle out of the capillaries and accumulate in the body tissues. This can happen due to various reasons. In many cases, the capillaries are damaged and this causes the leakage of body fluids from them.
In certain other cases, this happens when the capillaries come under tremendous pressure due to the volume of body fluids within them. When these fluids accumulate in the body tissues, the affected area becomes swollen.
This gives rise to the symptoms of pain and discomfort. Edema normally takes place in the legs and feet. When a person is affected by this, they find it difficult to walk even for short distances as this causes them tremendous pain.
Edema is not a serious condition in most cases. However, it can be an indicator of an underlying health condition. In such cases, it is important to seek the advice of your doctor.
Common Causes Of Leg Edema
Blood Clots in the Leg
One of the common causes of leg edema is the presence of a blood clot in the affected leg. When a clot is present in the area, the body fluids in the capillaries cannot flow smoothly throughout the region. These clots clog the capillaries and cause the accumulation of fluid in certain areas of the legs.
As a result of this, the area becomes swollen and painful. The affected person needs to rest this leg and avoid doing anything strenuous. It is also often noticed that the affected leg feels very warm and appears slightly reddish in colour. These symptoms are all indicators of a deep-routed problem. Such a problem is also referred to as thrombosis.
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Cirrhosis is a very serious health condition which affects the liver of the person. It causes the gradual destruction of the human liver. This condition can also cause additional problems such as edema.
Cirrhosis is capable of causing serious changes in the hormonal balance of the human body. As a result of this, the flow of body fluids to various parts of the body is also affected. This results in the problem of edema, which mostly affects the legs of the person.
Problems With the Diabetes
A patient with diabetes may have edema for several different reasons, including cardiovascular disease and its associated complications, acute renal failure, acute liver failure, protein-losing enteropathy (disease of the intestine causing protein loss) and some medications. Diabetic macular edema is the swelling of the retina in diabete
Some foods and insect bites may cause edema in susceptible people
Consumption of Certain Medicines
Very often, edema occurs when a person consumes certain types of medicines. These medicines may be prescribed for the treatment of other health conditions but they can give rise to the problem of edema in certain people.
Such medicines disrupt the levels of hormones which are present in the human body. As a result of this, severe fluctuations occur and this affects the flow of fluids in various parts of the body.
Problems With the Heart failure
This is when the heart cannot pump blood properly to all parts of the body. If one or both of the lower chambers of the heart lose the ability to pump blood effectively, the blood can accumulate in the limbs, causing edema.