Edema - Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and definitions related to edema and its types, causes, effects, and common treatments from the lecture notes.

Edema

Fluid buildup in body tissues causing abnormal swelling, commonly in the feet, ankles, legs, face, and hands.

Peripheral edema

Swelling mainly in the feet or hands; common in pregnancy or older adults but can occur at any age.

Pedal edema

Swelling in the feet and ankles due to fluid buildup in surrounding tissues.

Periorbital edema

Swelling around the eyes (eye bags), often caused by aging, allergies, infections, trauma, or lifestyle factors.

Blepharitis

Inflammation of the eyelids; red, swollen lids with itching or gritty burning sensations.

Chalazion

A lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked oil gland; a common eyelid swelling.

Macular edema

Fluid buildup in the macula (center of the retina) leading to vision changes.

Lymphedema

Swelling caused by damaged lymph nodes or impaired lymphatic drainage, often due to cancer treatment or surgery.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid buildup in the lungs (in the alveoli) causing shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms.

Cerebral edema

Excess fluid in the brain, raising intracranial pressure and potentially causing brain injury.

Pitting edema

Edema in which a pressed area leaves a permanent indentation (pit) due to fluid buildup.

Venous insufficiency

Weakness or failure of the veins to return blood efficiently, contributing to edema.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

A blood clot in a deep vein (often in the legs) that can cause swelling and leg pain.

Heart failure

Condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in limbs and lungs.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease that raises pressure in the portal system and reduces protein production, causing edema.

Kidney disease (renal failure)

Impaired kidney function that reduces fluid and sodium elimination, causing swelling.

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy-related condition with high blood pressure and edema risk.

Diabetes

Chronic condition listed as a potential cause of edema; can contribute to fluid retention and vascular changes.

Hypoproteinemia

Low protein levels in the blood, reducing oncotic pressure and promoting fluid leakage into tissues.

Diuretic

Medication that increases urine output to remove excess fluid from the body.

Furosemide (Lasix)

A commonly used diuretic to help reduce edema by increasing urine production.

Compression stockings

Elastic garments that apply pressure to legs/arms to prevent fluid buildup and reduce swelling.

Elevation of legs

Raising the swollen limb above heart level to encourage fluid return and reduce edema.

Reducing salt intake

Limiting dietary sodium to decrease fluid retention and edema.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord; listed as a possible infection related to cerebral edema.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain, which can be associated with cerebral edema.

Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)

Brain event that can cause cerebral edema and neurological impairment.

What is the primary characteristic that defines pitting edema?

It leaves a temporary indentation or "pit" when pressure is applied to the swollen area.

How does hypoproteinemia contribute to edema?

Low protein levels in the blood reduce oncotic pressure, causing fluid to leak from blood vessels into surrounding tissues.

What is the physiological mechanism by which cirrhosis leads to edema?

Cirrhosis increases pressure in the portal system and reduces the liver's ability to produce proteins, both of which contribute to fluid accumulation.

In which specific part of the lungs does fluid accumulate during pulmonary edema?

In the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs.

Edema

Fluid buildup in body tissues causing abnormal swelling, commonly in the feet, ankles, legs, face, and hands.

Peripheral edema

Swelling mainly in the feet or hands; common in pregnancy or older adults but can occur at any age.

Pedal edema

Swelling in the feet and ankles due to fluid buildup in surrounding tissues.

Periorbital edema

Swelling around the eyes (eye bags), often caused by aging, allergies, infections, trauma, or lifestyle factors.

Blepharitis

Inflammation of the eyelids; red, swollen lids with itching or gritty burning sensations.

Chalazion

A lump on the eyelid caused by a blocked oil gland; a common eyelid swelling.

Macular edema

Fluid buildup in the macula (center of the retina) leading to vision changes.

Lymphedema

Swelling caused by damaged lymph nodes or impaired lymphatic drainage, often due to cancer treatment or surgery.

Pulmonary edema

Fluid buildup in the lungs (in the alveoli) causing shortness of breath and other respiratory symptoms.

Cerebral edema

Excess fluid in the brain, raising intracranial pressure and potentially causing brain injury.

Pitting edema

Edema in which a pressed area leaves a permanent indentation (pit) due to fluid buildup.

Grade +1 Pitting Edema

A pit that is 2 mm deep and disappears immediately.

Grade +2 Pitting Edema

A pit that is 4 mm deep and disappears within 15 seconds.

Grade +3 Pitting Edema

A pit that is 6 mm deep and lasts for more than 1 minute.

Grade +4 Pitting Edema

A pit that is 8 mm deep and lasts for 2 to 5 minutes.

Venous insufficiency

Weakness or failure of the veins to return blood efficiently, contributing to edema.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

A blood clot in a deep vein (often in the legs) that can cause swelling and leg pain.

Heart failure

Condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in limbs and lungs.

Cirrhosis

Chronic liver disease that raises pressure in the portal system and reduces protein production, causing edema.

Kidney disease (renal failure)

Impaired kidney function that reduces fluid and sodium elimination, causing swelling.

Preeclampsia

Pregnancy-related condition with high blood pressure and edema risk.

Diabetes

Chronic condition listed as a potential cause of edema; can contribute to fluid retention and vascular changes.

Hypoproteinemia

Low protein levels in the blood, reducing oncotic pressure and promoting fluid leakage into tissues.

Diuretic

Medication that increases urine output to remove excess fluid from the body.

Furosemide (Lasix)

A commonly used diuretic to help reduce edema by increasing urine production.

Compression stockings

Elastic garments that apply pressure to legs/arms to prevent fluid buildup and reduce swelling.

Elevation of legs

Raising the swollen limb above heart level to encourage fluid return and reduce edema.

Reducing salt intake

Limiting dietary sodium to decrease fluid retention and edema.

Meningitis

Inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord; listed as a possible infection related to cerebral edema.

Encephalitis

Inflammation of the brain, which can be associated with cerebral edema.

Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)

Brain event that can cause cerebral edema and neurological impairment.

What is the primary characteristic that defines pitting edema?

It leaves a temporary indentation or "pit" when pressure is applied to the swollen area.

How does hypoproteinemia contribute to edema?

Low protein levels in the blood reduce oncotic pressure, causing fluid to leak from blood vessels into surrounding tissues.

What is the physiological mechanism by which cirrhosis leads to edema?

Cirrhosis increases pressure in the portal system and reduces the liver's ability to produce proteins, both of which contribute to fluid accumulation.

In which specific part of the lungs does fluid accumulate during pulmonary edema?

In the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs.