Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of edema?

People with edema may notice:

● Swelling or puffiness in the affected area, especially legs, ankles, and feet.
● Stretched, shiny, or tight skin.
● Swelling in the abdomen (ascites)
● Difficulty walking or limited mobility.
● Feeling tightness or pressure in the swollen regions.
● Mild pain, soreness, or aching

What Causes Edema?

There are several possible causes for an edema diagnosis, including:

Gravity (Dependent Edema): When you spend long periods sitting or standing in one position, gravity causes fluid to naturally pool in the lower parts of your body—especially your legs, ankles, and feet. This type of swelling is often called dependent edema. It happens because fluid is pulled downward and can’t circulate back up efficiently on its own.

Weakened Vein Valves (Venous Insufficiency): Inside your leg veins are tiny one-way valves that help push blood back toward your heart. If these valves become weak or damaged, blood can pool in the legs. This pressure buildup forces fluid out of the veins and into nearby tissues, leading to swelling, varicose veins, and edema in the lower legs.

Poor Nutrition: What you eat matters. A diet high in salt (sodium) can make your body retain water and worsen swelling. Additionally, poor nutrition—especially when protein intake is low—can affect the balance of fluid in your tissues and contribute to edema.

Pregnancy: Swelling during pregnancy is common, especially in the legs and feet. This happens because the growing uterus puts pressure on blood vessels in the lower body, slowing circulation and increasing fluid retention. Hormonal changes also promote fluid buildup.

Underlying Medical Conditions: Certain health problems can make your body hold onto extra fluid. For example, heart conditions like heart failure can slow blood circulation and cause fluid to back up in the legs and lungs. Liver disease (such as cirrhosis) can interfere with normal fluid balance. Kidney disease may prevent your body from filtering out excess fluid and salt properly. Even thyroid disorders can change how your body manages fluids, leading to swelling.

Medication Side Effects: Some medicines can cause your body to retain fluid, which leads to swelling. Common examples include blood pressure medications, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroid medications, and certain hormone or diabetes drugs. If edema starts after you begin a new medication, talk with your healthcare provider—they may be able to adjust your treatment.

Diagnosis of Edema

Your doctor or mental health professional may diagnose depression using a combination of approaches:

• Physical Examination: To diagnose edema, your healthcare provider will look at the swollen area and check for signs of fluid buildup. They may gently press the skin to see if an indentation remains, which helps confirm the presence of edema and guides further evaluation.
• Medical History Review: Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, other health conditions, medications you take, and lifestyle factors. This information often gives important clues about what may be causing the swelling.
• Grading the Edema: Doctors may grade edema by gently pressing on the swollen area and watching how deep the indentation is and how long it lasts. A low grade means only a slight pit that goes away quickly, while a higher grade means a deeper pit that takes longer to disappear. This helps show how severe the swelling is and guides further care.
• Laboratory Tests: Blood and urine tests may be ordered to look for underlying issues like kidney, liver, or heart problems. Tests might include kidney and liver function checks, thyroid tests, and markers that help evaluate fluid balance in the body.
• Ultrasound or Imaging: If needed, your provider may recommend imaging tests such as ultrasound, X-rays, or CT scans. These help rule out blood clots, check how well blood is flowing, and identify deeper causes of the swelling.