Edema Research Paper

Words: 518
Pages: 3

Have you suddenly gained weight in the legs? Has your skin become rough? Have you had long periods of swelling after an injury? Maybe it is just Edema. Edema is a common disease and a common symptom. Edema is prominent today because there are a lot of causes, many types, and a lot of treatments. Edema is caused by fluid buildup between cells. It is caused when, “Cells are bathed and nourished by fluid that always seeps from capillaries, the tiniest blood vessels. Normally the seepage is balanced by reabsorbtion of fluid into the capillaries and by drainage into the lymphatic system. When this balance is upset, edema results.” (“Edema”). There are lots of reasons for this to happen. Dieting issues, including an excess of salt, and medications can cause Edema. Kidney, heart, liver, and thyroid disease can result in Edema. Poor lymphatic drainage can cause lymphedema. …show more content…
But there are two main types of Edema. The most common type of Edema is called “localized Edema”. Localized Edema can be caused by allergic reactions, cardiac disease, and pregnancy. The less common systematic Edema, can be caused by cellulites lipedema, and lymphedema. Lymphedema can be very serious. Lymphedema is, “Problems with lymphatic drainage causes Lymphedema. This condition often requires long periods of bed rest, with the effected body parts elevated and tightly wrapped to reduce swelling. The most dramatic form of Lymphedema is Elephantiasis, a disease in which parts of the body swell and the skin becomes rough and thickened like that of an elephant.”(DeLaria 76). Elephantiasis is a big problem in countries where proper medical treatment cannot be