Edema
| [[Image:{{{Image}}}|190px|center|]] |
|
|---|---|
| ICD-10 | R60 |
| ICD-O: | {{{ICDO}}} |
| ICD-9 | |
| OMIM | {{{OMIM}}} |
| MedlinePlus | {{{MedlinePlus}}} |
| eMedicine | {{{eMedicineSubj}}}/{{{eMedicineTopic}}} |
| DiseasesDB | {{{DiseasesDB}}} |
Edema ( BE: oedema, formerly known as dropsy) is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess fluid. Edema has many root causes, but its common mechanism is accumulation of fluid into the tissues.
Edema can occur in the whole body, in which case it is called generalized ( anasarca), or can be limited to only some parts or organs, where it is called localized. Edema without a modifier usually refers to peripheral edema, which is edematous swelling from the legs upwards. Types of edema are pitting edema and non-pitting edema. The former is present if pressing of the affected body part creates a small pit that disappears within a few seconds, while non-pitting edema is not compressible.
Causes of peripheral edema are:
- high hydrostatic pressure of the veins, leading to poor reabsorption of fluid
- venous obstruction, e.g. deep vein thrombosis (typically one-sided)
- congestive heart failure
- varicose veins
- low oncotic pressure
- cirrhosis
- malnutrition
- nephrotic syndrome (renal protein loss)
- epidemic dropsy
- obstruction of lymph drainage
- infection
- cancer
- fibrosis after surgery
- filariasis
-
inflammation (active secretion of fluid into the interstitial space due to increased membrane permeability by inflammatory mediators):
- allergic conditions (e.g. Angioedema)
- any other form of inflammation (tumor - or swelling - is one of the main characteristics of inflammation)
Edema of specific organs ( cerebral edema, pulmonary edema) may impair function. It has different causes from peripheral edema, although pulmonary edema is seen together with peripheral edema in severe fluid overload.
Edema in plants is the extended swelling in plant organs caused primarily by an excessive accumulation of water.