Edema Blurb:

edema is swelling caused by an influx of fluid into the tissue. Edema is a pathophysiological response to a variety of injuries and diseases. It is an involuntary response that is a defensive mechanism, it is designed to quarantine disease to a certain area. It occurs upon any type of tissue damage. There are also behavioral, and dietary causes of edema.

Edema background:

Edema is a physiological response to injury or infection in which an internal or external organ is inflamed. Although edema is generally considered a sign of a larger disease, it can also be part and parcel of the normal rhythm of bodily function. For example, women have general edema just before menstruation to mitigate the damages of fluid loss from the passing of menses. Edema is a secondary symptom of many diseases, it points physicians in the direction of reaching the proper diagnosis.

Cerebral Edema:

Cerebral edema is a swelling of the brain tissue that is above or below the blood brain barrier. Cerebral edema is one of the more serious types of edema. It can occur as a result of sustaining head injury or suffering from encephalitis or meningitis. Cerebral edema can be relieved by emergency surgery or time for it to subside. Brain malfunctions that are associated with cerebral edema do not general cause permanent brain damage.

Causes of Edema:

Edema is not considered a disease. It is nothing more than a product of an underlying cause. There are a variety of different maladies and injuries that can cause tissue to swell. The swell response is a physiological response that quarantines and is a reliable indication that something has gone wrong with the human body. Edema can be caused by injurie, infection, dietary intake of sodium, pregnancy, menstruation, and many more.

Peripheral Edema:

Peripheral edema is an umbrella term for the types of edema that affect the peripheral regions of the human body. Peripheral edema combrise the most common manifestations of edema. Most often, edema affects the feet, hands, legs, face, and ankles. When edema appears spontaneously in these regions, it could be a sign of many serious diseases. However, when peripheral edema appears, it requires further investigation to distinguish one disease from another as many diseases are associated with the onset of this tell-tale sign of illness.

Pedal Edema:

Pedal edema is the medical term that describes the swelling of the feet or ankles. If affecting both feet, pedal edema is a sign of obesity, excessive dietary salt intake, and most other edema-related diseases. If it is affects one foot, it is a sign of cardiovascular disease.

Macular Edema:

The macula is the center of the rear portion of the retina. The swelling of this part of the eye causes blurred vision. The macula contains the bulk of cones that are critical in the maintainence of focus and clarity of vision. Macular edema occurs as a result of eye surgery and heriditary macular edema.

Periorbital Edema:

Periorbital edema is the term that describes the swelling of the eye socket.

Corneal Edema:

Corneal edema is caused by excess fluid as a result of eye injury, eye surgery, and illness.

Bone Marrow Edema:

Bone Marrow edema is characterized by the influx of fluid within the spongy interior of the bone. It is a sign of diseases ranging from arthritis to leukemia.

Leg Edema:

Leg edema is the most common form of edema. Leg edema is a sign of many different diseases and abnormalities.

Dependent Edema:

Dependent edema is a more precise term for edema as it is often not a disease, its occurrence is dependent upon an underlying cause.

Angioneurotic edema:

Angioneurotic edema is a swelling of the skin which produces welts, which are similar to hives. It is caused by allergic reaction.

Edema treatment:

Edema treatment is mostly geared towards addressing the underlying cause if possible. If not possible, then edema treatments are geared toward reducing swelling is analgesics and diuretics.