Edema: Symptoms, causes & treatment

What is edema?

Edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It can affect different body parts, including your legs, ankles, feet, face, and hands. While edema can happen for many reasons, it is a common symptom of kidney disease, especially in the legs, feet, and around the eyes.
There are two main types of edema:

• Pitting Edema: the most common type, occurs when pressure is applied to an area on the body, leaves a small dent or "pit," and stays dented for at least five seconds.
• Nonpitting Edema: less common; there is no dent in the swollen area after applying pressure. This type of edema is usually firmer to touch compared to pitting edema.

Not all cases of edema are caused by kidney issues, but understanding the type and cause can help guide the right care.  

How does edema relate to kidney health?

Your kidneys play an important role in balancing fluids in your body. While not all edema is caused by kidney disease, it can be a sign that something is wrong. Edema related to kidney problems often shows up in the lower legs, feet, and around the eyes. If you have kidney disease or another kidney condition, knowing what swelling might mean and when to talk to your doctor is important in preventing kidney disease progression.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Edema is a common sign of kidney disease. Since your kidneys are too damaged to remove all the sodium and water that they need to remove from your blood, they build up in your blood vessels and cause your capillaries to leak fluid into your tissues. Edema caused by CKD usually occurs in your legs and around your eyes. It's more common in the later stages of CKD as your body retains more water.

It's not unusual to experience swelling in your body. However, edema can be a sign of an underlying condition, like CKD. If you notice swelling that isn't going away or is coming back frequently, schedule an appointment with your doctor. They may decide to run tests for conditions like CKD or recommend changes to medicines and lifestyle. 

Kidney Failure

Kidney failure (end-stage renal disease, or ESKD) can cause severe edema, including swelling in the legs, hands, and belly. Managing kidney failure with dialysis or transplant can help reduce fluid buildup, but sudden or extreme swelling should be reported to your doctor.

Nephrotic Syndrome

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney condition that causes your body to lose too much protein in your urine (pee). This can lead to swelling, especially in the face, legs, and around the eyes. If you've been diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome and notice edema, your doctor may recommend medicines like diuretics (water pills) and changes in your eating plan to manage fluid levels.

When to call your doctor

If you have kidney disease or another kidney condition and notice any of the following, contact your doctor:

• Swelling that doesn't go away after a few days
• Swelling that is getting worse
• Pain or discomfort in swollen areas
• Sudden weight gain
• Swelling in new areas like your belly or hands
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

Even if you don't have a known kidney condition, new or unexplained edema is worth discussing with your provider. Getting the right tests early can help catch kidney problems before they get worse.

What are the symptoms of edema? 

Symptoms of edema include: 

• Swelling (especially your ankles, feet, hands, face, and arms)
• Shiny, stretched, or tight skin
• Skin that holds a dimple (indentation or pitting)
• Weight gain due to extra fluid
• Swollen belly
• Feeling heaviness in your legs
• Difficulty walking or moving joints
• Feeling of tightness
• Mild pain or soreness in the affected area
• Coughing or trouble breathing

What causes edema?

Edema happens when fluid builds up in your tissues. This fluid comes from tiny blood vessels known as capillaries. 

Edema can be caused by conditions or diseases, including: 

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• Congestive heart failure
• Liver damage
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Issues with your lymphatic system
• A long-term, severe lack of protein 

Other causes of edema include:

• Sitting, standing, or staying in one position for a long time
• Eating too much salty food
• Being close to menstruating
• Pregnancy
• Some medicines:
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Steroids

Who gets edema?

Edema is common in people with stage 3 to end-stage kidney disease. It is also common in people with other conditions, which can include congestive heart failure and liver damage.  

Other people at risk for edema include: 

• People who are 65 or older
• Pregnant people
• Individuals with blood clots
• People taking certain medicines, such as:
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Steroids
  • Estrogens
  • Some diabetes medicines 

How is edema treated?

Treating edema starts with understanding what is causing it. If a condition or disease, like CKD, is causing your edema, it's important to treat the condition. 
Treatment strategies to manage edema include:

• Limiting salt
• Compression stockings
• Changing your body position often
• Moving the swollen part of your body

Medicines can also play a role. If medicine is causing your edema, your provider may decide to change the medicine to one that does not cause edema. You may also be prescribed water pills, or diuretics. 

In March 2025, the FDA approved an injectable form of furosemide (a diuretic), to treat edema in people with CKD. This medicine can help manage the fluid that builds up because of CKD. 

How can I prevent edema? 

There are many lifestyle changes you can make to prevent edema, including: 

• Avoid standing or sitting for long periods
• Avoid restrictive clothing
• Elevate your feet and legs when sitting, lying down, or sleeping
• Exercise regularly
• Quit smoking or using tobacco products
• Reduce the amount of salt you eat