What happens if fluid retention is not treated?

What happens if fluid retention is not treated?

Untreated edema can lead to: painful swelling, with pain that gets worse. stiffness and difficulty walking. stretched, itchy skin.

Does edema get worse over time?

Initially, the edema will be soft and touching your leg briefly will leave a dent. In later stages, you may see changes in the pigmentation and elasticity of the skin. Your skin may become thicker and more fibrous. The edema may get worse if you sit or stand for long periods, or if the weather is hot.

What happens if edema gets worse?

Seek medical care immediately if your edema is suddenly worse, painful, new, or if it’s associated with chest pain or trouble breathing. The latter may be a sign of pulmonary edema, a serious medical condition in which the lung cavities fill with fluid.

Is edema in the legs life-threatening?

Swollen legs and ankles may be a result of a benign cause or a potentially life-threatening condition. A person should see their doctor if the swelling is sudden, unexplained, or accompanied by additional symptoms. It is not always possible to prevent swollen legs and ankles.

What are the side effects of edema?

Some of the complications of edema include pain, difficulty walking, stiff muscles, stretched and itchy skin, tissue scarring, an opportunistic infection of the swollen areas, skin ulcers, inelasticity of blood vessels, joints and muscles as well as decreased blood circulation to the affected areas.

How does edema affect the body?

Edema is a condition characterized by fluid retention in body’s tissues which results in the swelling. Edema may affect the hands, arms, legs, feet and ankle. In edema there is the leakage of blood vessels due to that fluid released into nearby tissues. This extra fluid accumulation results in tissues swelling.

What causes swelling after chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy can cause swelling in the feet and ankles. It could be due to fluid volume associated with the chemotherapy infusion, or side effects of the chemotherapy itself.

Is edema bad?

Therefore the edema itself is not dangerous but is indicative of a larger medical ailment that can be serious and damaging to your health if left untreated. Edema also known as oedema means swelling of body parts due to fluid retention. It is the accumulation of excessive serous fluids in cells or cavities of the body.