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Edema can be caused by excessive salt consumption, poor circulation, heart and lung conditions, blockages in the circulatory system, or problems with cellular fluid regulation. Pulmonary edema is often related to cardiac problems, but can also indicate lung infection, reaction to medications or environmental allergens, or exposure to toxins. Lung and kidney disorders can cause generalized edema, while localized edema may be a symptom of blood clots, trauma, or tumors. During pregnancy, women may experience localized edema of the lower extremities.
The pathophysiology of edema varies according to the type of edema experienced by the patient. The excessive retention of interstitial fluid characteristic of edema can be caused by excessive salt consumption or an inability to adequately excrete sodium from the body. Edema can also be caused by poor circulation or other heart and lung conditions. Alternatively, palpable swelling of parts of the body may be caused by blockages in the circulatory system or problems with cellular fluid regulation. Because edema is usually a symptom of other disorders, clinicians must determine the pathophysiology of edema on a case-by-case basis to help treat their patients.
Cardiac problems are commonly associated with the pathophysiology of pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema occurs when fluid builds up around the lungs. This is a hallmark symptom of coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, cardiomyopathy, and unregulated hypertension. This type of edema is dangerous because it can lead to pneumonia as the alveoli in the lungs fill with fluid instead of air. Doctors often prescribe diuretics to reduce pulmonary edema.
Although pulmonary edema is often related to cardiac problems, some other noncardiac causes are associated with the pathophysiology of pulmonary edema. This condition may indicate that the patient is experiencing a lung infection or a reaction to medications or environmental allergens. Some patients may experience pulmonary edema due to exposure to toxins in the environment. Healthy people can experience fluid buildup in the lungs while traveling or living in places at high altitudes.
Lung and kidney disorders are also common agents in the pathophysiology of edema. These organs are usually associated with generalized edema which causes swelling throughout the body. The liver and kidneys are primarily responsible for filtering toxins and salts from body fluids. If either has been damaged or flooded with too much of these harmful chemicals, the result could be visible swelling of the feet, hands and face. Generalized edema usually involves fluid outside the cells.
The pathophysiology of localized edema in individual extremities or regions of the body is usually an obstruction in the veins that would normally carry blood and fluid from that part of the body. Therefore, localized edema may be a telltale symptom of blood clots, trauma, or tumors. Edema in the extremities can cause pain and skin sores.
During pregnancy, the chemical balances in the blood often change. Most women experience localized edema of the lower extremities during pregnancy. This can be uncomfortable, but should only be alarming when it has a rapid onset or swelling of the face and hands is also present.
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