What is edema?
Edema, or swelling, occurs when excess fluid collects in your body’s tissues. Dependent edema is specific to parts of the body influenced by gravity, below the heart, such as swelling to the legs, feet, or arms, where gravity causes fluid to pool and cause swelling.
Edema may be a side effect of medications for treating conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But in some cases, it can be a symptom of a serious heart problem, such as:
- Kidney damage or disease
- Liver damage
- Lymphatic system damage
At MedStar Health, our edema care team brings together highly experienced specialists across our system to provide comprehensive diagnosis and personalized edema treatment plans tailored to you. Our edema treatment and services are located across the Washington D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and northern Virginia areas.
Edema symptoms
Signs and symptoms may include:
- Bloating
- Stretched or shiny skin
- Shallow impression or dimple that forms when skin is pressed
- Swollen legs or arms
Edema causes
The causes of dependent edema include:
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Liver failure
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Immobility
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Medications
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Nephrotic syndrome – kidney disorder that can cause swelling.
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Malabsorption – Body’s inability to absorb nutrients can lead to swelling.
Prevention & reduce swelling
Strategies to prevent or reduce the swelling include:
- Elevating the arm, leg, or foot above the heart.
- Wearing compression stockings.
- Recognition of the symptoms and seeking early medical attention.
- Treatment of the underlying medication conditions that cause dependent edema.
How is edema diagnosed?
Diagnosing a potential heart or vascular condition is the first step to developing a treatment plan. Our specialists may recommend one or more diagnostic and imaging procedures. The diagnostic tests that we offer include:
Angiogram (Angiography)
An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.
Arterial Duplex Ultrasound for Arms and Legs
Arterial duplex ultrasound uses Doppler and traditional ultrasound to assess blood flow in the arteries of your arms and legs.
Blood tests
Pulse Volume Recording
Pulse volume recording tests are used to evaluate blood flow through the arteries in your arms or legs.
Urinalysis
Edema treatments
Dependent edema likely will improve with treatment of the condition causing it. Your doctor also may recommend therapies to reduce the edema more rapidly, such as compression garments, medication, or advanced treatments. While you may not be able to exercise, you may benefit from massage and manually moving body parts with assistance from others. Our edema medical treatments include:
Peripheral Artery Disease Treatments
Peripheral artery disease treatments may include lifestyle changes, medication, and minimally invasive and surgical procedures to manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Laura Elizabeth Ayd, PA
Neurosurgery & Spine Surgery
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Kristin M Brindisi, MSPAS PA
Vascular Surgery
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Patrick Correlli, BS PA
Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology, Internal Medicine & Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology
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Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Erin M. Hanlon, MPAS PA
Vascular Surgery
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Sharon Reilly O'Brien, MD
Critical Care Medicine, Pulmonary Disease & Pulmonary Medicine
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Daniel Martin Schwegler, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Maria Van Winkle, MD
Emergency Medicine
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Shan-E-Ali Haider, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Jennifer Lynn Manjo, AGACNP BSN MSN
Adult Nurse Practitioner & Family Medicine
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Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.