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URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/edema.html
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Summary
Edema means swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve your entire body.
Causes of edema include:
- Eating too much salt
- Sunburn
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver problems from cirrhosis
- Pregnancy
- Problems with lymph nodes, especially after mastectomy
- Some medicines
- Standing or walking a lot when the weather is warm
To keep swelling down, your health care provider may recommend keeping your legs raised when sitting, wearing support stockings, limiting how much salt you eat, or taking a medicine called a diuretic - also called a water pill.
Treatments and Therapies
- Diuretics (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Specifics
- Foot Swelling during Air Travel: A Concern? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Hand Swelling during Exercise: A Concern? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Hives and Angioedema (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Leg Swelling (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Pulmonary Edema (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- What Is Macular Edema? (American Academy of Ophthalmology) Also in Spanish
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Edema (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Automated pipeline for linear and volumetric assessment of facial swelling after...
- Article: Application of extracorporeal shockwave to regulate subchondral bone homeostasis through tumor...
- Article: Clinical Outcomes of Talus Bone Marrow Edema: Comparing Plaster Cast, Crutches,...
- Edema -- see more articles
Find an Expert
Women
- What Causes Ankle Swelling during Pregnancy -- and What Can I Do about It? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Abdominal tap (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Angioedema (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Foot, leg, and ankle swelling (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Pulmonary edema (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Swelling (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.