What is edema?

Edema is swelling caused by an abnormally large amount of fluid in the body tissues. Edema is common in the legs, ankles and lungs of people with heart failure.

Edema is the abnormal buildup of fluid in a part of the body, which can cause swelling and pain.

Some causes of edema include:

• Inactivity; swelling of the ankles during a long airplane trip is an example of edema caused by inactivity.
• Diseases such as heart failure. If the left side of the heart is damaged, it can cause fluid to build up in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
• Blood clots that stop the flow of blood through a blood vessel. This causes blood to pool behind the clot.
• Infection. The body often fights an infection by increasing blood flow to the area, which can result in edema.

The treatment for edema depends on the cause.