Edema is the clinical term for swelling caused by fluid retention. It can be triggered by any number of injuries, illnesses, or health conditions. But among the more serious conditions that can cause edema is heart failure. It can also happen if the pressure is increased, forcing the fluid to back up into the legs or abdomen, or when a leaky heart valve causes fluid retention. Proper treatment of heart failure , or whatever is causing your edema , should help relieve your swelling and other symptoms. Although it sounds like the heart is failing to work at all, the term heart failure really means that the heart has grown weaker or stiffer.

NCBI Bookshelf. Edema means swelling. The condition called edema arises when part of the body becomes swollen because fluid gathers in the tissue.

The AAD's Coronavirus Resource Center will help you find information about how you can continue to care for your skin, hair, and nails. To help care for your skin during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond, the AAD recommends these tips from board-certified dermatologists. You can get a rash from poison ivy any time of the year. You can expect permanent results in all but one area.