A variety of factors can lead to pitting edema, including:
- flying
- poor circulation
- obesity
- pregnancy
- dehydration
- low levels of protein
- trauma or injuries
How serious is pitting edema?
Pitting edema is also associated with several much more serious, and sometimes fatal, conditions: Kidney diseases (nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis) Liver cirrhosis and hepatitis
How to identify pitting edema?
Pitting Edema Diagnosis
- +: You can barely see the pit.
- +: You see a slight pit. It goes away within 15 seconds.
- +: You see a deeper pit. It takes up to 30 seconds to go away.
- +: The pit is deep and takes more than 30 seconds to go away.
What does pitting edema indicate?
Pitting edema may also be a side effect of medications such as:
- steroids
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs)
- medications that supplement estrogen
- medications for high blood pressure
- thiazolidinediones, a class of drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes
What is non-pitting edema and what causes it?
Non-pitting edema is usually harder to treat than pitting edema. Pitting edema is often due to extra water , so it responds well to elevation and diuretics. Non-pitting edema, on the other hand, is usually caused by factors other than just fluid , which makes drainage more difficult.
What causes pitting edema in shins?
Pitting edema is either caused by a localized problem with veins in the affected area, or a systemic problem with your heart, kidneys, or liver function. Edema without pitting is more likely to be caused by issues with your thyroid or lymphatic system.
When should I be concerned about pitting edema?
In most cases, a doctor should determine the cause of pitting edema and, if necessary, refer a person to a specialist. Some accompanying symptoms require urgent care. Anyone experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or swelling in a single limb should seek immediate medical attention.
What is the most common cause for pitting edema?
Pitting edema is commonly caused by poor circulation or the retention of excess fluids. Some common risk factors that may lead to these problems include sitting or standing in one position for too long, low protein levels, obesity, and pregnancy.
How do I get rid of edema in my lower legs?
Support stockingsMovement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. ... Elevation. ... Massage. ... Compression. ... Protection. ... Reduce salt intake.
What is the difference between edema and pitting edema?
Edema is swelling in the body caused by excess fluid. It often affects the lower body, such as the legs, feet, and ankles, but it can occur anywhere. If you press on a swollen area and an indentation or pit remains, it's called pitting edema.
Will drinking more water help with edema?
1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn't hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have.
What causes edema in lower legs?
Fluid buildup (edema): It happens when the tissues or blood vessels in your legs hold more fluid than they should. This can happen if you simply spend a long day on your feet or sit for too long. But it may also be a sign that you're overweight or don't get enough exercise, or of more serious medical conditions.
Is edema in the legs life threatening?
Swelling in the legs and ankles can be normal in some cases, but if it is sudden, unexplained, or accompanied by additional symptoms, contact a healthcare professional. Some health issues that result in this swelling can be life-threatening without treatment.
How long does it take to get rid of edema in the legs?
Swelling normally lasts for a few days. In the first two days, you will experience the most swelling, and it should start to reduce by the third day.
How do you get rid of peripheral edema?
How's it treated?Elevate your legs (or arms) above the level of your heart a few times a day. ... Exercise. ... If you have to sit or stand a lot, take breaks to move around.Wear compression stockings on the affected legs if your doctor recommends this.Reduce your intake of salt.More items...•
What helps pitting edema?
Pitting Edema TreatmentGet treatment for a related chronic illness.Eat less salt.Take a drug called a diuretic that helps your body get rid of extra fluid.Wear compression stockings, sleeves, or gloves to keep pressure on the swollen area and stop fluid from building up.More items...•
What is the best diuretic for edema?
Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics are some of the most commonly used diuretics. They're first-choice water pills for hypertension (high blood pressure). At higher doses, they can also help treat edema. Because they work in the kidneys, you'll need blood tests to make sure these water pills aren't hurting them.
What is pitting edema?
Pitting edema occurs when excess fluid builds up in the body, causing swelling; when pressure is applied to the swollen area, a “pit”, or indentati...
What is the difference between edema and pitting edema?
Edema refers—more generally—to any swelling that arises from excess fluid build-up in the body. Edema occurs when something disrupts the fluid in t...
What causes pitting edema?
Most cases of pitting edema are dependent or peripheral. Dependent edema occurs as a result of gravity pulling blood down, which can ultimately res...
Is pitting edema serious?
Although pitting edema alone may not be serious, the underlying conditions causing it might be of more concern, so it is important to properly diag...
How do you diagnose pitting edema?
When diagnosing pitting edema, a physical examination and review of medical history may be enough to determine the underlying cause. In some cases...
How do you grade pitting edema?
A grading system is often used to determine the severity of the edema on a scale from +1 to +4. It is assessed by applying pressure on the affected...
How do you treat pitting edema?
To treat pitting edema, it is important to diagnose and treat its underlying cause. Additional treatment for pitting edema will depend on its sever...
What are the most important facts to know about pitting edema?
Pitting edema occurs when excess fluid in the body causes swelling that indents when pressure is applied. It usually occurs in the lower limbs of t...
What does it feel like to have pitting edema?
Image credit: James Heilman, MD, (2017, February 1). This condition is most common in the lower body, particularly in the legs, ankles, and feet. Swelling caused by edema will usually make the skin feel tight, heavy, or sore.
What tests can be done to diagnose pitting edema?
Tests that can aid in a diagnosis of pitting edema include: a physical exam. imaging tests, such as X-rays, which can show fluid retention and problems in the lungs. blood tests.
What is it called when you have a swollen indentation?
When an indentation remains after the swollen skin is pressed, this is called pitting edema. The effect may also be noticeable after taking off a tight shoe or stocking.
What does it feel like to have edema on your skin?
Swelling caused by edema will usually make the skin feel tight, heavy, or sore. Other symptoms depend on the cause, but they can include: tingling or burning sensations around the swelling. People who experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling in only one limb should seek immediate medical attention.
Why does my leg hurt after sitting for hours?
When leg pain and swelling persist after a person has been sitting for several hours, this may indicate deep vein thrombosis. This occurs when a blood clot develops deep in the leg. Anyone who suspects this should seek urgent medical care.
Can anyone have pitting edema?
Anyone can have pitting edema, but because some causes are more dangerous than others, it is often a good idea to consult a doctor. In this article, we describe who is at risk for pitting edema. We also explore accompanying symptoms, treatments, and prevention techniques.
Can pregnancy cause pitting edema?
Pregnancy can cause pitting edema, and it usually resolves as the pregnancy ends. However, it is a good idea to discuss every new symptom with a doctor, who can test to rule out serious conditions linked with edema, such as very high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
How to tell if you have pitting edema?
The symptoms will depend on what part of your body is swollen and may include: A full or heavy feeling. Joints that may be hard to move. Stretched, shiny, or reddened skin. Warm or hot skin. Dough-like skin. Tenderness.
What causes edema in the lower leg?
Kidney disease: It's your kidneys' job to get rid of extra salt and water from your body. If they aren't working right, you can get high blood pressure and pitting edema. Liver disease: If blood isn't flowing normally through your liver, edema can form in your lower legs.
What does it mean when you have a pit?
What Is Pitting Edema ? Pitting edema is when a swollen part of your body has a dimple (or pit) after you press it for a few seconds. It can be a sign of a serious health issue.
What is it called when your finger is swollen?
Edema (swelling) usually happens in your feet, ankles, or legs. But you also might notice it in your face, hands, arms, or other areas. If you press your finger to a swollen area, it will usually bounce right back. If it leaves a dimple, you have what's called a pitting edema.
How to get rid of edema in the heart?
Eat less salt. Take a drug called a diuretic that helps your body get rid of extra fluid. Wear compression stockings, sleeves, or gloves to keep pressure on the swollen area and stop fluid from building up. Raise the part of your body with the pitted edema above your heart a few times during the day or while you sleep.
Can a blood clot cause edema?
Blood clot: One of these in a deep vein can cause edema in the region of the clot. This is called " deep vein thrombosis ," or DVT. If a DVT is present in one leg, edema may be present in just one leg. Congestive heart failure: If your heart is too weak to pump blood around your body the way it should, fluid will build up in your tissues.
Can ibuprofen cause pitting edema?
Side effect of medicine, such as drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure meds, estrogen pills, or over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. For some people, pitting edema can be a sign of a more serious health issue, such as: Blood clot: One of these in a deep vein can cause edema in the region of the clot.
Reasons why you might have a dent in shin with no pain
The thyroid gland in our bodies produces the parathyroid hormone. When one of these glands gets overreactive, they cause a condition known as hyperthyroidism in human beings.
Pitting edema may signify the following health conditions
Conditions that may cause edema include high blood pressure, liver disease, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, psoriatic disorder, and deep venous thrombosis.
What factors contribute to the development of this condition?
While pitting edema causes dents to form on your shin, maybe disease-related, other risks arise from lifestyle and diet factors.
How do you get a pitting edema diagnosis?
Since this condition doesn’t get treated as a disease by itself, you will need to get a complete evaluation to determine its cause.
FAQs
Yes, it may feel like a dent when your bones bend due to low calcium levels.
Final thoughts
We have seen many courses of dents on our shin. If you didn’t know, the dents might signify various health issues.
