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Edema refers to swelling of a part of the body due to the collection of fluid that gets trapped in the tissues
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Swelling, along with stretched or shiny skin, must be looked for and reported to a healthcare professional
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Certain medications like those for high blood pressure or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, can lead to edema
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Congestive cardiac failure results in a reduction of the amount of blood pumped out by the heart. This blood can back up in the legs and feet
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Fluid collection may also be a result of liver disorders like liver cirrhosis. It is usually seen in the abdomen and called ascites
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A problem in the kidneys may cause an increase in the fluid and salt levels of the body, thus causing edema
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Damage to the veins of the legs, or insufficiency of the valves of the veins can lead to varicose veins, which may present with edema
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A swelling that develops suddenly in one of the lower limbs can be due to deep vein thrombosis
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An excessive lack of protein in the body may also lead to the development of edema
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Edema may be physiological, as in pregnancy. It is necessary to consult the healthcare provider and identify the cause of edema