Peripheral edema

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Peripheral edema

Peripheral edema
Edema

File:Oedema.jpgEdema or Oedema , formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin, or in one or more cavities of the body....
is the swelling

Swelling

Swelling can mean:* In medicine:** Swelling is the enlargement of organs caused by accumulation of excess fluid in tissues, called edema.* In engineering:...
of tissues

Biological tissue

Tissue is a cellular organizational level intermediate between cells and a complete organism. Hence, a tissue is an ensemble of cells, not necessarily identical, but from the same origin, that together carry out a specific function....
, usually in the lower limbs

Limb (anatomy)

A limb is a jointed, or prehensile , appendage of the human or other animal body.Most animals use limbs for locomotion, such as walking, running, or climbing....
, due the accumulation of fluids.

The condition is commonly associated with aging, but can be caused by many other conditions, including congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure

Heart failure is a condition in which a problem with the structure or function of the heart impairs its ability to supply sufficient blood flow to meet the body's needs....
, trauma

Physical trauma

Physical trauma refers to a body injury. A trauma patient is someone who has suffered serious and life-threatening physical injury with the potential for secondary complications such as Shock , respiratory failure and death....
, alcoholism

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions to describe the detrimental effects of alcohol intake.In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite health problems and negative social consequences....
, pregnancy

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, inside the uterus of a female. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or Multiple birth....
, hypertension

Hypertension

Hypertension, also referred to as high blood pressure, HTN or HPN, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure is chronically elevated....
or merely long periods of time sitting or standing without moving. Some medicines (e.g. amlodipine

Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a long-acting calcium channel blocker used as an anti-hypertensive and in the treatment of Angina pectoris. Like other calcium channel blockers, amlodipine acts by relaxing the smooth muscle in the arterial wall, decreasing peripheral resistance and hence reducing blood pressure; in angina it increases blood flow to the heart...
, pregabalin

Pregabalin

Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug used for neuropathic pain and as an adjunct therapy for partial seizures with or without secondary Seizure_types#Generalized_seizures in adults....
) may also cause or worsen the condition.

essful treatment depends on control of the underlying cause.

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