Pitting edema causes swelling in your face, hands, legs and feet. If you push your finger down on the swollen area for a few seconds and withdraw it, a small indentation remains. Many disorders cause pitting edema; changing your diet can often...
Lymphatic fluid that remains in the skin of the arms or legs causes a type of swelling known as lymphedema. Lymphedema can also occur in the face, neck, groin, breasts and abdomen. Knowing the swelling symptoms of lymphedema is pertinent to...
The heart carries blood rich with oxygen and nutrients to other parts of the body, such as the organs and tissues. When the heart is unable to pump blood, this condition is known as heart failure. There are several factors that increase the chance...
The American Heart Association, or AHA, in 2006 declared that the single leading cause of death in the United States was coronary heart disease. In 2006, more than 425,000 people died of heart attacks. The American Heart Association estimates that...
Poor circulation in the legs may be caused by many medical conditions, including heart or kidney disease, blood clots and obesity. Peripheral vascular disease, a condition that causes veins to narrow or harden, affects leg circulation, and may...
Lymphedema is a type of swelling that develops when lymph fluid remains in the skin. This occurs when there is an obstruction to the lymphatic system, such as clots obstructing lymph vessels, or an insult to the system like the removal of lymph...
Edema of the feet is caused by excess fluid getting trapped within the tissues. When tiny blood vessels, called capillaries, are swollen or blocked, it causes fluid and protein to leak out into the surrounding tissues. According to MedlinePlus,...
Right-sided heart failure can be defined as the right ventricle weakening to the point that blood flow is impaired and the body suffers. Impaired circulation can affect many body systems including the gut, liver, skin and lungs. When the right...
Swollen feet and ankles are caused by a variety of medical disorders. Both localized conditions, such as a torn ligament, and a systemic condition, such as congestive heart failure, can cause inflammation to one or both feet. The swelling is...
The heart is the power generator for the body that allows for blood, oxygen and nutrients to be sent to different organs. When the heart malfunctions and is unable to perform this task, this condition is known as heart failure. This might be due...
Congestive heart failure, also known as heart failure, is the inability of the heart to pump the body's blood through the heart. The blood tends to pool in the heart and build up in the lungs, causing congestion. Heart failure is not a...
Accumulation of fluid can cause swelling of the feet, ankles and legs--a condition known as peripheral edema. Pain may accompany the swelling. In some cases, painless swelling might develop in the feet and ankles of the elderly, notes Medline...
Leg lymphedema is the accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the leg. Lymphedema can be congenital, caused by absence of lymph nodes and vessel, or acquired later in life. Injury to the lymphatic system can cause acquired lymphedema, and it can occur...
The heart is an important organ in the body because it provides the power needed to keep it functioning. It pumps the blood around the body and allows for blood, oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the different organs. Congestive heart...
Blood clots are not uncommon after surgery, especially major surgery on the pelvis, knees or hip. Blood clots, known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), form most often in the lower leg or thigh, the Merck Manual states, but can also develop in the...
Poor blood circulation in the legs may result from medical conditions such as peripheral artery disease, which causes blood vessels to narrow and restrict the flow of blood. People with diabetes and heart disease, those who smoke, have high blood...
Exforge is a drug used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It contains fixed amounts of the calcium-channel blocker amlodipine and the angiotensin II antagonist known as valsartan. While this drug is usually effective at treating...
Protein deficiency, also known as kwashiorkor, represents a form of protein-energy malnutrition characterized by an array of organ system problems. Kwashiorkor in children occurs almost exclusively in developing and underdeveloped countries,...
High concentrations of a variety of proteins normally circulate in the bloodstream. The liver serves as the principal site of protein production, although other tissues also produce proteins. Severe burns or malnutrition and diseases of the liver,...
Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart fails to efficiently pump a sufficient amount of blood to the body's organs and tissues. As fluid pools in areas such as the lungs, they become congested. Also called CHF, congestive heart failure can...
Each year in the United States, approximately 581,000 people receive total knee replacements, states the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Arthritis, the most common reason for knee replacement, occurs most often in people over age 50 and...
The genetic disorder lipedema causes large deposits of fat, usually in the legs. Most people with the condition cannot reduce the fat accumulation even with rigorous dieting, according to a study published in the February 2010 issue of Advances in...
The Child Welfare League of America estimates that 15,000 children worldwide die each day from malnutrition-related problems. Infants are at particular risk, because they are completely dependent on other people to feed them. Malnutrition occurs...
Digestion occurs in three phases. First, nutrients receive secretions from the pancreas and gall bladder, which begin the breakdown of food into its individual components. Next, the small intestine uses its brush border enzymes to further...
Excess water in the body can be a dangerous symptom of many other diseases. If you have too much water in your body, it can upset the balance of your electrolytes or nutrients, play havoc with your blood pressure and put too much strain on your...
Swelling in your hands and feet during exercise is a common concern. In most mild cases, it's your body's natural cardiovascular response to exercising; however, it may signal an underlying health problem. Always consult your doctor if you notice...
