Edema Specialist
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Endovascular and Interventional Associates
Mobolaji Odelowo, MD
Vascular & Interventional Radiology & Vein Center located in Conroe, TX
Edema is a type of swelling that doesn’t have anything to do with inflammation or an injury. Instead, edema, especially edema in your leg, commonly develops when you have an underlying vascular condition. At Endovascular and Interventional Associates, Mobolaji Odelowo, MD, has extensive experience determining the cause of edema and creating an individualized treatment plan that heals the problem, eases symptoms, and helps patients get back to their daily activities. If you have edema, call the office in Conroe, Texas, or use the online booking feature today.
Edema Q&A
What causes edema?
Edema refers to swelling that occurs when extra fluids build up in your tissues or organs. When edema causes swelling in one or both legs, it may signal an underlying health condition such as:
- Vascular disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Lymphedema
- Cellulitis
Of all the possible causes, vascular disease is one of the most common.
What vascular conditions cause edema?
The two vascular conditions most likely to cause edema are chronic venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis.
Chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when one or more valves in your leg veins weaken or stop working. These valves are responsible for moving blood up your leg.
A damaged valve lets some of the blood go down your leg. The resulting accumulation of blood causes pressure in your lower leg that forces fluids to build up in the surrounding tissues.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
DVT develops when blood flow in your leg slows down. The sluggish blood lets a clot form in a vein lying deep in the middle of your leg. The clot forces fluids to build up, and you develop edema.
What other symptoms accompany edema?
In addition to edema in your lower leg and ankle, chronic venous insufficiency and DVT cause symptoms such as:
- Leg pain
- Aching, tired feeling legs
- Varicose veins
- Non-healing ulcers (around the ankle)
- Ankle discoloration (changes in skin color)
- Skin that’s thick, leathery, or itchy
Leg pain caused by DVT usually occurs in the calf.
How is edema treated?
At Endovascular and Interventional Associates, Dr. Odelowo reviews your medical history, completes a physical exam, and then performs a diagnostic ultrasound to see the vascular structures and blood flow.
Your treatment may begin with self-care steps such as wearing compression stockings, elevating your leg when possible, and avoiding prolonged sitting or standing. If you have DVT, you need to take blood thinners, and you may need treatment to dissolve the clot.
Dr. Odelowo treats the source of chronic venous insufficiency using minimally invasive procedures such as radiofrequency (RF) ablation, cryoablation, or VenaSeal™.
In all three, he inserts a catheter into the vein and uses it to send out heat (RF ablation), cold (cryoablation), or vein glue (VenaSeal). After the treatment seals the vein shut, your body absorbs the treated vein and redirects blood through a healthy, nearby vein.
When you need treatment for edema, you can depend on the exceptional care at Endovascular and Interventional Associates. Call the office or book an appointment online today.
