edema control
What is edema?
Edema is the medical term used for swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissue. It can affect all parts of the body, but it noticed most often in the hands, arms, feet, ankle and legs.
Edema happens when the small blood vessels leak fluid into nearby tissues. The extra fluid builds up, which makes the tissue swell.
There can be indentations or “pitting” that remains in the skin after pushing on the skin in some types of edema. This is called pitting edema. If the tissue springs back to its normal shape, it’s called non-pitting edema.
Signs and symptoms of edema
- An arm or leg starts feeling full or heavy.
- The arm or leg starts to look swollen.
- When you press the swelling, it leaves a dent.
- The skin near the edema feels tight or warm.
- It becomes harder to move any joints that are affected.
- There is a sensation of tautness or even pain in the surrounding area.
What is lymphedema?
Lymphedema occurs when there is impairment to the lymphatic system, disrupting normal transport of fluid within the body. When the lymphatic system becomes overwhelmed, damaged or blocked for an extended period of time, chronic swelling (edema) occurs. It usually affects one arm or leg.
Lipedema does not involve the lymphatic system, but is a pathological, mostly symmetrical deposition of fat (which makes the body look swollen) that most often affects the lower extremities and almost exclusively occurs in women
What is lipedema?
Lipedema does not involve the lymphatic system, but is a pathological, mostly symmetrical deposition of fat (which makes the body look swollen) that most often affects the lower extremities and almost exclusively occurs in women
How can compression help edema?
Those with venous system impairment have vein pressure that rises, causing watery blood components to leak into the tissues, the ankles and can cause the legs to swell up. The patient’s edema impaired lymphatic system has to work even harder to transport the fluid in the tissues back to the heart. Compression garments are worn to promote proper blood flow. Through graduated compression, these garments provide pressure on the affected area and prevent the backflow of blood through the insufficient venous valves.