The causes of pitting edema are usually linked to an underlying condition that affects various organs or limbs of the body, causing fluid retention. The most common underlying diseases include heart disease, kidney disease, and liver disease. In addition, varicose veins and inflamed veins may be causing pitting edema. Pitting edema may also be caused by pregnancy, poor diet, and certain medications.
Edema is the swelling of a person’s body tissue, usually in the legs, feet, hands, or arms. The swelling is caused by an accumulation of body fluids underneath the surface of the skin. Pitting edema can usually be identified when a person applies pressure to the swollen portion of the skin. If pitting edema is present, an indication will persist after the pressure is released. Pitting edema is more common that non-pitting edema, where an indentation does not persist after the release of pressure to the swollen area.
The main causes of this condition include systemic diseases, or diseases that affect organs of the body. These systemic diseases may include heart, kidney, and liver disease. With these ailments, edema generally occurs because the body retains an overabundance of salt. The abundance of salt forces the person to retain water. The water then seeps into the spaces between layers of tissue, where it then materializes as pitting edema.
Other common causes of this condition include varicose veins and a condition called thrombophlebitis, or inflamed veins. With varicose veins and thrombophlebitis, the blood does not pump adequately through the veins. The insufficient blood flow can create pressure within the veins, forcing body fluids to collect in the peripheral extremities, primarily in the feet and ankles. As the fluid collects, it can leak into the spaces between the tissue layers, creating pitting edema.
Pregnancy may be another cause of pit edema. During pregnancy the uterus may put additional pressure on one of the main blood vessels called the vena cava that pumps blood from the legs to the heart. In addition, an increased release of progesterone may cause the wall of some blood vessels to relax, decreasing the flow of blood from to the heart from the legs. When this happens, fluid may be retained and pitting edema may occur.
Other causes may revolve around a poor diet or obesity. For example, people who are overweight or who consume foods and drinks with high amounts of salts may be more prone to pitting edema. If a person is malnourished, she may have insufficient protein levels in her blood. The blood proteins help trap water within the blood vessels. If the water leaks out of the blood vessels and seeps into the spaces between the layers of tissue, edema may occur.
Some medications may cause pitting edema as well. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), estrogen, certain drugs for diabetes, and some blood pressure medications may cause the condition. In addition, anabolic steroids, corticosteroids, and calcium channel blockers can result in pitting edema. If edema is suspected, a medical provider should be consulted.