Edema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Edema?
Edema is swelling, so a primary care doctor usually checks it first. Because the swelling has many causes, you may also see a cardiologist (a heart doctor), a nephrologist (a kidney doctor), or a hepatologist (a liver doctor). A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is edema?
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.
Swelling can occur all over the body or in only one part of the body. A large amount of swelling is obvious, but slight edema may be hard to detect.
Symptoms
The main sign of edema is swelling. Common signs include:
- Painless swelling of the feet and ankles, which may affect both legs.
- A dent that stays in the skin for a short time after you press on it. This is called pitting edema.
- A fast gain in weight over days to weeks, because of the extra fluid.
Swelling all over the body, called anasarca, is a common sign in people who are very sick.
Causes and who gets it
Edema comes from a buildup of fluid in the tissues. Many things can cause it, including:
- Eating too much salt or sodium.
- Sunburn or other burns.
- Heart failure, kidney disease, or liver problems from cirrhosis or other liver disease.
- Pregnancy.
- Poor nutrition.
- Veins in the legs that cannot send blood back to the heart well, called venous insufficiency, most often due to varicose veins.
- A blood clot or an infection in the leg, or an injury or surgery on the leg, ankle, or foot.
- Some medicines, such as steroids, anti-inflammatory pain medicines called NSAIDs, blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers, and hormones such as estrogen.
Long plane flights or car rides and standing for long periods often lead to some swelling. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy, but more severe swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. You may be asked when the swelling started and whether it is all over your body or in just one area.
Tests that may be done include:
- Blood tests, including tests of kidney function, liver function, and albumin, a protein in the blood.
- A urine test.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) or an echocardiogram, which look at the heart.
- A chest x-ray.
- A Doppler ultrasound of the leg veins.
Treatment
Treatment focuses on the cause of the swelling. It may include avoiding salt or taking water pills, also called diuretics. Diuretics can have side effects. Home care for leg swelling that is not tied to a serious medical condition usually should be tried before medicines.
Some tips that may help reduce swelling:
- Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
- Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid back to your heart.
- Follow a low-salt diet.
- Wear support stockings.
- Lose weight if you need to.
If liver disease is causing the swelling, avoid alcohol. Never stop taking a medicine you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your health care provider.
When to see a doctor
If you notice any unexplained swelling, contact your provider.
Call 911 or the local emergency number if you feel short of breath or have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness.
Contact your provider right away if:
- You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse.
- You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen.
- Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.
- You have a fever.
- You are pregnant and have more than mild swelling or a sudden increase in swelling.
- You have new or worsened swelling in only one leg.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can examine the swelling, order basic tests, and review which medicines may be involved. They can also follow your swelling over time and refer you to a heart, kidney, or liver specialist when needed.
Common questions
Is edema serious?
It depends on the cause. Slight swelling of the lower legs is common in warm months, especially after a lot of standing or walking. But swollen legs can be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure, so unexplained swelling should be checked by a provider.
What is pitting edema?
Pitting edema is swelling that leaves a dent in the skin after you press the area with a finger for about 5 seconds. The dent slowly fills back in. Non-pitting edema does not leave this type of dent.
Can medicines cause edema?
Yes, certain medicines may cause your legs to swell. Examples include steroids, NSAIDs, calcium channel blockers, and hormones such as estrogen. Never stop taking a medicine you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your health care provider.
Does raising my legs help edema?
Yes, it may help. Putting your legs on pillows above your heart level while lying down is one tip that may reduce swelling. Treatment also focuses on the cause of the swelling, so see your provider about it.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
