Edema and surgery often occur together due to conditions that require surgical treatment or surgery itself increasing the risk of edema. Cardiovascular and diabetic patients are at higher risk, and surgery can cause fluid overload or damage lymph nodes leading to edema. Compression garments and controlling fluid intake can help manage the condition.
Edema and surgery can be seen together both because many conditions that lead to edema require surgical treatment and because some types of surgery can increase the risks of edema. Patients with edema experience swelling in the extremities caused by collections of interstitial fluid. Sometimes, the swelling is found only in a specific area, such as a foot or arm, and in other patients, it can be general, covering the whole body. Treatments are available to manage this condition and reduce the risks of edema and surgery.
Cardiovascular conditions can cause edema and may require surgical treatment. People with heart, lung, and blood vessel disorders may find that edema and surgery seem to go hand-in-hand because surgery puts stress on their already tense bodies, leading to localized swelling after surgery. Conditions such as diabetes can also predispose people to edema, and if these patients require surgery, their edema risks can be even higher. Swelling can also occur in people who have experienced severe physical trauma, which may require surgical treatment, and patients may attribute the swelling to the surgery rather than the underlying tissue damage.
Surgery can also contribute to the development of edema in various ways. During surgery, patients are given blood and fluids to keep their blood pressure constant and within a safe range. This can sometimes create an overload situation, where the body receives too much fluid to relieve itself and the patient begins to develop edema. This can be compounded by the fact that patients usually need to rest after surgery and may find it difficult to move around to improve circulation, making lower extremity edema more likely.
Also, surgery can involve lymph nodes. In cancer patients, a surgeon may remove lymph nodes to reduce the risk of metastasis, and the body won’t be able to circulate fluids effectively, causing edema. Surgery can also damage lymph nodes and vessels, and the patient may notice localized edema until the body recovers. When edema and surgery involve damage to lymph nodes, it may be necessary to wear compression garments to force fluid out of the extremities so the patient can clear it out.
Patients concerned about edema and surgery can discuss these with their doctors. Usually, the risks of edema are outweighed by what will happen if the patient does not receive surgical treatment. Taking steps beforehand to control your fluid and salt intake can help minimize swelling, and wearing compression garments can prevent severe edema.
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