Q. What I s odema ?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Odema is a medical condition where fluid accumulates in the interstitial tissues, which causes swelling. It can be caused by a number of underlying health issues such as infections, medications, allergies or metabolic disorders. It also may be due to venous insufficiency, lymphatic obstruction or circulatory problems caused by conditions like congestive heart failure and liver disease.
Odema most commonly occurs around the ankles and feet, but it can occur anywhere on the body. Depending on its cause, odema can appear suddenly (such as when leg veins become blocked) or develop over time (for instance due to long-term kidney disease). The signs and symptoms of odema include puffiness of affected areas along with an increase in skin tightness and discoloration from reddish-brown to bluish-gray. Treatment for odema depends on its cause; sometimes it will go away on its own if the underlying issue is addressed adequately and other times medication or surgery may be needed to help alleviate fluid buildup.
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