What do lower legs edema means?

My mom always have her both legs have this edema. Where it really get tight and big. It happen time to time. once or twice in every week, she really suffer this one. We already go to the doctor, and the the doctor said maybe its an Arthritis and need his uric acid be checked. My mom said her joints always in pain including in her hands. And she said she feel pain everytime she press her legs and arms. I am confused what might cause this edema. I just hope it doesnt indicate to serious problems. She said, sometimes it is painful if her feet will be pressed in the ground when she is walking.Is this really a sign of Arthritis? Help please! Plus maybe u can also help me by giving some ideas of this self care, what should we do when she will have this edema.

Edema simply means swelling. Edema of the legs is not a specific diagnosis as there are many things that can make the legs swollen. The following are just a few of the conditions that can cause her legs to swell:

congestive heart failure
venous insufficiency
lymphedema
kidney failure

Each of these has a different treatment, but most of these edemas are non painful...however, many people complain of heaviness or achiness simply from having to carry around the extra weight.

Her physician needs to provide a more definitive diagnosis before the proper treatment can be sought.

If she has edema to her lower extremities it can be serious. If it's shiny, taunt, red and if you press into her legs and can see your fingerprints left there, its not arthritis. It can be congestive heart failure (CHF). Where her heart isn't pumping right and her body is retaining fluid. I would get a second opinion from a different doctor.

The joint pain could be the result of arthritis but I don't think that would be related to the lower extremity edema. Also, I'm not sure what other medical problems your mother may have or meds she takes regularly which could also account for the edema.
This really should be evaluated by her doctor...there could be so many reasons for it. In the meantime, she should really watch her sodium intake. Have her elevate her legs as much as possible to alleviate some of the discomfort.

"Edema" means swelling. Swollen feet and legs, referred to medically as leg edema, occur when fluid is retained in the spaces between body cells. A leg edema typically affects the feet, ankles and lower legs, but can also impact any area of the body, causing systemic symptoms.

Leg edema can be caused by a serious condition of the kidney, heart, liver or blood vessels, but many other factors can contribute to its onset, including:


Abusing laxatives
Abusing diuretics
Abusing drugs
Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills
Pregnancy and PMS
Sodium retention
Varicose veins and history of phlebitis
Allergic reactions
Neuromuscular disorders
Trauma

This could be gout also. She might want to watch what she eats. Foods high in acid can cause swelling and pain, this is usually also associated with some redness. It has also been mistaken to be arthritis and goes untreated. It's worth checking into.

It suggests conjestive heart failure. Consult another Dr. if you don't get answers soon. Good luck to you, my thought are with her.

Edema means swelling caused by fluid in your body's tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs, but it can involve your entire body.

Causes of edema :

Eating too much salt
Sunburn
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Liver problems from cirrhosis
Pregnancy
Problems with lymph nodes, especially after mastectomy
Some medicines
Standing or walking a lot when the weather is warm

To keep swelling down, her dr. may recommend keeping her legs raised when sitting, wearing support stockings, limiting how much salt you eat or taking a medicine called a diuretic - also called a water pill.

Don't self care. Find another dr if this one is unwilling to figure out the underlying problem

I don't know much about edema but I think I may have that problem too. My ankles and lower legs are often swollen, especially in the evenings. During the day I have problems with my left foot and ankle causing pain and discomfort. Quite often I can't even sit here and use the computer Sometimes my legs ache, often they are numb, or have bad pins and needles and other times I can find no peace from the restlessness in my legs and go crazy trying to find some comfort ot relief of some sort but nothing seems to help.

Sorry this does not answer your question but if you think your problem seems similar to mine, then maybe two people's symptoms may bring out more answers or suggestions.

Best wishes, Lyn