Final answer:
Edema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues, commonly appearing as swelling in the extremities due to various underlying causes that need medical diagnosis and treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Edema is defined as abnormally large amounts of fluid in the interstitial spaces and cells of the body, often manifesting as swelling in various areas, particularly the soft tissues of the extremities. The physiological causes of edema can include increased permeability of blood vessel walls, fluid leakage from blood capillaries, or a decrease in colloid osmotic pressure. Conditions that may lead to edema involve underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, severe protein deficiency, renal failure, and more. Edema can also result from the use of certain therapeutic drugs, pregnancy, localized injuries, or an allergic reaction. To diagnose and treat edema, healthcare providers must identify and alleviate the underlying causes of this fluid imbalance.
To check for edema, especially in the limbs, a simple method is to press a finger into the swollen area. If a depression, also known as 'pitting,' persists after the finger is removed, it's an indicator of subcutaneous edema. Edema requires medical attention when it extends beyond normal daily swelling, indicative that the body is not maintaining proper fluid balance.