Symptoms of edema

The appearance of clinically pronounced edema is usually preceded by a weight gain of several kilograms (which is particularly important, for example, in chronic heart failure, when daily weighing of the patient is necessary to detect "hidden" edema). Skin with swelling looks shiny, shiny, often, especially on the limbs, you can see signs of ecdysis and cyanosis due to stagnation of venous blood. Parallel to the increase in body weight, the patient notes a decrease in diuresis (oliguria).

The initial edema on the legs and lower back can be easily detected by palpation: two or three fingers press on soft tissues in the inner surface of the collateral bones (where the bone "platform" is located under the skin), and in the presence of edema the fossa disappears after 2-3 min. Similar pits on the lower leg are formed with pressure in the event that the body weight has increased by no less than 10-15%.

• A weak degree of swelling is designated by the term "pastoznost". It is characterized by subtle swelling of the lower extremities, which practically do not leave pits when pressed.
• The extreme severity of the generalized edema of subcutaneous fat is an anasarca. In this case, edema is found on any part of the body, even on the anterior chest wall, which can be detected by pressing the stethoscope during the auscultation.
• The accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity is called ascites, in the thoracic cavity - by hydrothorax, in the pericardial cavity - by the hydropericardium. Accumulation of fluid in the serous cavities can accompany the anasark.

Hydrostatic and hydrodynamic factors explain the primary appearance of edema in the low-lying areas of the body (lower limbs).

• In heart diseases accompanied by heart failure, edema appears more often by the end of the day, especially when the patient stays in a vertical position for a long time. In addition to changing the appearance of the limbs, the patient can also pay attention to difficulties in training, especially in the evening, or dressing the ring on the finger of the hand.
• With kidney diseases, small swelling of the bowl appears primarily on the face (in the eyelid) and usually in the morning. The relatives of the patient can pay attention to the appearance of such puffiness for the first time.
• In rare cases, edema can appear in the elderly with a prolonged stay in an upright position, which is not of great clinical significance (as in women in hot seasons).

It is also important to assess the prevalence of edema. In diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, intestines, endocrine glands, edema can be widespread. When there is a violation of venous and lymphatic drainage, allergic reactions of swelling are more localized and often asymmetric.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]