Clinical Findings:
- Edematous swellings are soft, painless and cool to touch.
- Edema pits on pressure.
- In case of ascites, there is distension of abdomen, on percussion fluid thrill wave can be detected
- In case of pulmonary edema, there is difficulty in breathing and lung collapses.
- In case of pericardial effusion, muffled heart sounds can be heard on auscultation.
- Cerebral edema is manifested by neurologic signs with altered mentation.
Laboratory Findings:
- Cytological examination of edema reveals no inflammatory cells if edema results from increased hydrostatic pressure, decreased plasma osmotic pressure
- Blood test reveals decreased albumin or total protein, renal problems
