LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Edema
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Edema is caused by an interference with the water balance in the body. This can happen in many different ways. Before describing the ways that this can happen, it is important to understand the normal way that water is balanced in the body. To begin with, water accounts for about 60% of the body weight. Water is constantly exchanged between blood and tissues. Water is forced out of the blood through very tiny blood vessels, known as capillaries, which, in this case, takes water into the tissues.
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Edema is an observable swelling from fluid accumulation in certain body tissues. Edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs, where it ... is referred to as peripheral edema. The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues that are outside of the blood vessels. These spaces are known as interstitial spaces or compartments. Most of the body's fluids that are found outside of the cells are normally stored in two spaces; the blood vessels (where the fluids are called the blood volume) and the interstitial spaces (where the fluids are called the interstitial fluid). In various diseases, excess fluid can accumulate in either one or both of these compartments.
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Edema forms in people with kidney disease primarily for one of two reasons: either a heavy loss of protein in the urine or impaired kidney (renal) function. In the first situation, the people have normal or fairly normal kidney function. The heavy loss of protein in the urine (over 3.0 grams per day) is termed the nephrotic syndrome and results in a reduction in the concentration of albumin in the blood (hypoalbuminemia). Since albumin helps to maintain blood volume in the blood vessels, a reduction of fluid in the blood vessels occurs. The kidneys then register that there is depletion of blood volume and, therefore, attempt to retain salt. Consequently, fluid moves into the interstitial spaces, thereby causing pitting edema.
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Edema can occur on many types of plants, but is especially common on ivy geraniums, begonias, jade plants, pansies, and violets. Affected leaves and stems at first develop tiny, 1-2 mm blisters, especially on the undersides of leaves. Many blisters may form close together, appearing as large lesions. The blisters rupture and turn tan or brown and corky. Sometimes affected leaves turn yellow and fall off the plant.
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Edema is best described as pronounced swelling, often of the extremities. This swelling is actually an accumulation of excess fluid in the body tissues. Edema can result from venous insufficiency causing blood flow to slow and blood to “pool” or fail to return to the heart, surgical procedures or injury to an affected area. Most extreme conditions of edema are actually known as Lymphedema. It is important to note that Lymphedema is one of the most misdiagnosed diseases today.
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Edema is most often a manifestation of underlying diseases of the liver, heart and kidneys and is directly caused by salt retention. Besides the legs and feet, other main areas in which edema can occur are the lungs (alveoli), the abdomen or peritoneal cavity and the chest. When edema occurs in the lungs, it is called pulmonary edema and is usually caused by heart failure.
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Edema