Health issues like congestive heart failure builds up edema when blood is accumulated due to back pressure in the legs and feet. Kidney disease can also cause edema since kidney may not function properly to flush out fluids. Cirrhosis or liver disease can retain large amounts of fluid in the body when a person is alcoholic.
When the leg veins are damaged, one way valve will not work properly thus retaining the blood in the lower legs leading to edema. If the lymphatic nodes are not functioning well, it will lead to accumulation of excess fluid on the tissues of the body.
Who are at risk?
People who have heart problems, kidney disease and diabetes and those who are taking medications like estrogen or calcium channel blockers have increased chance for getting edema. Complications of edema include increased pain, difficulty in walking or using hands, stiffness in the muscles, decreased blood flow, increased risk of infection, and more chance for getting skin ulcers.
Tests :
Your doctor will detect the condition of edema on physical examination of the affected part of the body. He will collect your history of illness to find out the underlying medical cause for edema.