Question 1

my legs and feet swell often. it is pitting edema. especially after drinking alcohol. my liver enzymes, bun/creatine, echo normal. what could it be?

Accepted Answer

ADH (vasopressin) hormone.: Alcohol, especially in women, has the ability to cause swelling of the hands and feet. This has to do with its effect on a hormone in the blood stream. Having said that, there are many other causes for swelling. The concern is the long term effects of alcohol on the both the liver and the kidney.

Question 2

dyspnea/at rest and activity, pitting edema in my legs. mri/ x-ray of my lungs/heart. kidney and liver tests. lung function test. every test 100% normal. no fluid in lungs. have chunky phlegm as well. drs cant figure it out??? 22yr old male?

Accepted Answer

: Dyspnea can be a psychosomatic symptom but pulmonary secretion (phlegm) and leg edema are not. You definitely have a physical impairment (disease) and congestive heart failure is top of the list but it is easily diagnosed with physical exam and echocardiogram. Please continue to follow with your doctors and a second opinion should be considered if there is still no answer with persistent symptoms.

Question 3

if i press hard on my shins for a few seconds, it leaves behind an extremely subtle indent (i can tell that my thumb was pressed there). my feet, calves, and ankles don't leave behind any indent. would that still be classified as pitting edema?

Accepted Answer

: An extremely subtle indent in this case does not fit the definition of pitting edema. Take care.

Question 4

is massage contraindicated in mild pitting edema? (takes 5seconds to rebound)

Accepted Answer

Different Issues but: no evidence massage promotes health; though may be distracting from other issues. Pitting edema is a result of excess body water due to: CHF, liver or kidney failure/insufficiency, DVT or (rarely) water intoxication due to extremely high intake volumes (eg. &gt;20-30 Liters/day). Obtain assistance worthy of your trust &amp; clear the reasons for the pitting edema else worse outcomes are likely soon.

Question 5

what can cause pitting edema in only one leg?

Accepted Answer

A lot of diseases.. : generally, we think of systemic diseases (heart failure, cirrhoss) causing bilateral edema.  those are less likely if it is confined to one leg. conditions that cause it:
-  Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot)
-  Chronic Venous insufficiency
-  lymphedema (from surgery or trauma)- edema more often nonpitting

there are many more, which is why you must see your doctor and have it evaluated.

Question 6

what is pitting edema and what causes it. is a bad heart?

Accepted Answer

Can be cause by an : Increase in intravascular pressure like congestive heart failure, decrease oncotic intravascular pressure like liver disease( cirrhosis), kidney disease( nephrotic syndrome, renal failure), simple vascular venous insufficiency, venous clot, allergic reaction, pregnancy, drug induced like ibuprofen(mild). See your physician for a good history and physical exam.

Question 7

does chf cause unilateral pitting edema?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral edema: CHF is systemic meaning symmetrical but if one limb has outflow obstruction it could be more edematous than the other.

Question 8

can non-pitting edema be seen on mri and is it distinguishable from pitting edema on the image?

Accepted Answer

Clinical : Pitting vs non pitting edema is a physical exam finding. An MRI can show edema (fluid) in the soft tissues but can't tell if it's pitting.

Question 9

how come i have pitting edema in my hand?

Accepted Answer

Heart or nutrition: Reduced heart function or low blood protein can be factors, as can something called reflex dystrophy.   See physician.

Question 10

why is it that i have pitting edema in my legs?

Accepted Answer

Retaining fluid: In lower extemities often due to venous insufficiency, lymphedema or other systemic conditions. See your physician.

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Doctor answers about:

Pitting edema and hard upper abdomen

A member asked:

My legs and feet swell often. it is pitting edema. especially after drinking alcohol. my liver enzymes, bun/creatine, echo normal. what could it be?

A member asked:

Dyspnea/at rest and activity, pitting edema in my legs. mri/ x-ray of my lungs/heart. kidney and liver tests. lung function test. every test 100% normal. no fluid in lungs. have chunky phlegm as well. drs cant figure it out??? 22yr old male?

A member asked:

If i press hard on my shins for a few seconds, it leaves behind an extremely subtle indent (i can tell that my thumb was pressed there). my feet, calves, and ankles don't leave behind any indent. would that still be classified as pitting edema?

A member asked:

Is massage contraindicated in mild pitting edema? (takes 5seconds to rebound)

A member asked:

What can cause pitting edema in only one leg?

A member asked:

What is pitting edema and what causes it. is a bad heart?

A member asked:

Does chf cause unilateral pitting edema?

A member asked:

Can non-pitting edema be seen on mri and is it distinguishable from pitting edema on the image?

A member asked:

How come i have pitting edema in my hand?

A member asked:

Why is it that i have pitting edema in my legs?

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