Pharm'Up 
Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body’s tissues. While it most frequently affects the feet, ankles, and legs, it can occur anywhere in the body.
Common Causes
Fluid buildup can be triggered by lifestyle factors, environmental conditions, or underlying medical issues:
- Lifestyle & Environment: Consuming high amounts of salt, spending long periods standing or walking in warm weather, or sustaining a sunburn.
- Medical Conditions: Heart failure, kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis.
- Physical Changes: Pregnancy or complications with the lymphatic system (often following a mastectomy).
- Medications: Certain prescription drugs can cause fluid retention as a side effect.
How to Manage Swelling
If you are experiencing edema, healthcare providers often suggest the following strategies to reduce fluid volume:
- Elevation: Raising your legs above heart level while sitting or lying down.
- Compression: Wearing support stockings to prevent fluid from pooling in the lower limbs.
- Dietary Adjustments: Strictly limiting salt intake to reduce water retention.
- Medication: Taking diuretics (water pills) as prescribed to help the body flush out excess fluid.
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