Patient was educated on non-pitting edema as follows: This is the type of edema, which does not leave any indentation, after applying gentle pressure to the site of swelling with a finger and holding the pressure for 5 seconds. This type of edema is not merely due to fluid accumulation, but also due to accumulation of some proteins that like to keep fluid with them. The accumulation of these proteins, such as, albumin, will attract [...]
Patient was educated on pitting edema as follows: Pitting edema can be demonstrated by applying gentle pressure to the site of swelling with a finger and holding the pressure for 5 seconds. This results in indentation that can last for a few seconds. Depending on the extent of indentation and the length of time it persists, pitting edema can be graded. The higher the grade of pitting, the more serious the disease process is with [...]
Patient was educated on the types of edema as follows: Edema is the swelling secondary to leakage of fluid from the circulation and accumulation in body tissues. Though edema typically involves the dependent body parts with accumulation of fluid in both the lower extremities, due to gravity, involvement of other body parts also can occur, based on the disease process. Clinically, there are two different types of edema Pitting Edema – This edema is mainly [...]
Patient was educated on the role of the lymphatic system in the development of edema as follows: Lymphatic system usually helps with draining the fluid and proteins along with other nutrients that have leaked from the circulation, back into the circulation. When there is damage to the lymphatic system, such as, in radical mastectomy or cancer treatment with radiation or chemotherapy, the drainage of this fluid back into the circulation is affected. Consequently, fluid along [...]
Patient was educated on the albumin levels and edema as follows: Albumin is a kind of protein we consume in our diet. It is also partly synthesized by the human liver as well. Albumin is needed to maintain fluid in circulation. Low albumin in the blood results in leaking of fluid out of capillaries and result in accumulation of fluid in between the tissues, leading to edema. Low albumin in the blood can result from [...]