Oedema

Medical Review

Written by: Dr. Von Chiao Wen Doctor of Medicine (MD), N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University
Reviewed by: Dr. Lee Chin Meng Doctor of Medicine (MD), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

Overview of Oedema

Oedema is a condition when there is swelling, which can be later divided into generalized oedema that means swelling of the entire body and localized oedema, which means swelling limited to a specific part only. Oedema occurs when there is excessive fluid present in the body tissues. Oedema can occur anywhere in the body, which has a “potential space”. Some of the examples of oedema generally can be seen are peripheral oedema which occurs in the lower or, and upper limbs, pedal oedema which limited to the lower limbs only, pulmonary oedema which happens in the lungs, cerebral oedema which occurs in the brain and macular oedema which is in the eye. It can also be divided into pitting and non–pitting oedema. In contrast with pitting oedema which is almost always due to fluid, non-pitting oedema is usually due to lymphatic blockage causing lymphedema, myxedema, and lipedema.

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