10 Possible Risk Factors Leading To Edema

Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by excess fluid in the body’s tissues. It usually occurs in the arms, hands, legs, ankles, and feet. About four million people from all ages in the United States suffer from edema, especially the elderly.

And the following factors could be to blame for it…

1. Injuries

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Things like a twisted ankle, insect bites, and other kinds of injuries can cause edema. This happens because of the increased flow of fluid and white blood cells into the injured areas.

When the balance of substances in your blood is off, something’s bound to go flowin’… 

2. Hypoalbuminemia

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Hypoalbuminemia is when the protein level in the blood hits low and water leaves the blood vessels and builds up in the tissues, as the albumin and other proteins in the blood help keep fluid in the blood vessels. 

Here’s something a lot of people are all too familiar with…

3. Allergic Reactions 

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Most allergic reactions often end in swelling as a response to the allergen. Food allergies in particular can cause throat or tongue edema, which can make breathing especially difficult.

Clogging causes buildups, and buildups end up in swelling…

4. Obstruction Of Blood Flow

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Fluid can build up if drainage from a part of your body is blocked. Edemas, particularly leg edemas, are sometimes caused by tumors and blood clots that both block fluid and blood flow.

Life-threatening conditions bring about adverse effects on the body, as the following shows…

5. Congestive Heart Failure

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Fluids gradually build up when the heart’s lower chambers begin to weaken, causing it to pump less blood. As a result, the legs, ankles, feet, as well as the abdomen do not receive significant blood flow.

Some diseases are known for causing swelling in various parts of the body…

6. Liver Diseases

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Liver disorders like liver cirrhosis are known to slow down blood flow via the liver. This affects the portal vein and can make fluid leak and build up in the legs and the abdomen, which can also cause leg edema and ascites.

In more serious cases, other parts of the body begin to suffer too…

7. Kidney Diseases 

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Nephrotic syndrome is a type of kidney disease where edema is one of its primary symptoms. The eyes, legs, and ankles are particularly affected by severe swelling.

The miracle of bringing life into the world can be quite a bumpy ride, too…

8. Pregnancy

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While it’s fairly normal for pregnant women to experience mild leg edema. However, pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and deep vein thrombosis can also cause edema in the legs, face, hands, and even throughout the body.

Not even the brain is spared…

9. Head Injuries & Conditions

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Cerebral edema occurs when fluid is retained in the brain tissue. Factors like head trauma, hyponatremia, and brain tumors can trigger this. This kind of edema causes headaches, confusion, comas, and even death.

Sometimes, even our supposed remedies can have strange effects…

10. Medications 

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Medicines often have strange, undesired side-effects, but there are those that can cause strange conditions like edema, especially in the legs. Ironically, ibuprofen, as well as corticosteroids, may actually bring about or worsen edema since they both cause sodium and fluid retention.

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