What is the Difference Between Edema and Lymphedema

The key difference between edema and lymphedema is that edema refers to the swelling in any part of the body due to a leaking of fluid from tiny blood vessels in the body, while lymphedema refers to the swelling in any part of the body due to a build-up of lymph fluid in the lymph nodes in the body.

Swelling normally can occur in the skin, joints, other tissues, and organs of the body. Swelling can increase the size of any part of the body as well. It can be typically caused by an injury, inflammation, or fluid retention. Therefore, edema and lymphedema are two conditions due to swelling in any part of the body.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Edema  
3. What is Lymphedema 
4. Similarities – Edema and Lymphedema 
5. Edema vs Lymphedema in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Edema vs Lymphedema 

What is Edema?

Edema refers to swelling in any part of the body due to a leaking of fluid from tiny blood vessels called “capillaries.” The typical symptoms of this condition include swelling of the tissue directly under the skin (mainly legs and arms), shiny skin, skin that retains pits, increased abdominal size, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Edema is usually caused due to sitting or staying in one position for too long, eating a lot of salty foods, having premenstrual signs and symptoms, being pregnant, taking medications like high blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogens, steroid drugs, certain diabetes medications like thiazolidinediones and serious medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, kidney damage, damage to veins in the legs, inadequate lymphatic system, and severe long term protein deficiency.

Edema can be diagnosed through physical examination, medical history, X-ray, ultrasound, MRU, blood test, and urine analysis. Furthermore, treatment options for edema may include raising limbs higher than the heart, diuretics such as furosemide, treating an underlying medical condition, and lifestyle and home remedies (movement, elevation of swollen part, massage, compression, protection of the affected area, and reducing salt intake).

What is Lymphedema?

Lymphedema refers to swelling of body parts caused due to an accumulation of protein-rich fluid that is usually drained through the lymphatic system of the body. This swelling most commonly affects arms, legs, chest wall, abdomen, neck, and genitals. The causes of lymphedema may include cancer, radiation for cancer, surgery, and parasites. The signs and symptoms of lymphedema are swelling of part or all of arms, legs, including fingers or toes, a feeling of heaviness or tiredness, restricted range of movement, recurring infections, and fibrosis (thickening of the skin).

Lymphedema can be diagnosed through physical examination, MRI scan, CT scan, ultrasound, and Lymphoscintigraphy. Furthermore, the treatment options for lymphedema may include medications like antibiotics, therapy (exercises, manual lymph drainage, compression bandages, compression garments, and sequential pneumatic compression), and surgical and other procedures (lymph node transplant, new drainage paths, and removal of fibrous tissue).

What are the Similarities Between Edema and Lymphedema?

• Edema and lymphedema are two conditions due to swelling in any part of the body.
• Both conditions are mainly affecting arms and legs.
• They can be led to complications.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examinations.
• They can be treated through drainage of the excessive fluid.

What is the Difference Between Edema and Lymphedema?

Edema refers to the swelling in any part of the body due to a leaking of fluid from tiny blood vessels in the body, while lymphedema refers to the swelling in any part of the body due to a build-up of lymph fluid in the lymph nodes in the body. Thus, this is the key difference between edema and lymphedema. Furthermore, edema is caused by sitting or staying in one position for too long, eating a lot of salty foods, having premenstrual signs and symptoms, being pregnant, taking medications like high blood pressure, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroid drugs, estrogens, diabetes medications like thiazolidinediones and serious medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, kidney damage, damage to veins in the legs, inadequate lymphatic system and severe long term protein deficiency. On the other hand, lymphedema is caused by cancer, radiation for cancer, surgery, and parasites.

The below infographic presents the differences between edema and lymphedema in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Edema vs Lymphedema

Swelling increases the size of the body parts and can be typically caused by an injury, inflammation, or fluid retention. Edema and lymphedema are two medical conditions due to swelling in any part of the body. Edema refers to the swelling in any part of the body due to a leaking of fluid from tiny blood vessels, while lymphedema refers to the swelling in any part of the body due to a build-up of lymph fluid in the lymph nodes in the body. So, this is the key difference between edema and lymphedema.

Reference:

1. “Edema: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment.” WebMD.
2. “Lymphedema.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Combinpedal” By James Heilman, MD – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Lower Limb Lymphedema” By DocHealer – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia