Temporary, less serious edema may be prevented by strategies such as the following:

In addition, individuals who are at risk for edema should closely monitor their limbs for signs of edema. It is easier to treat edema in the early stages rather than when it becomes more advances, such as with pitting edema.  More serious edema, resulting from congestion in the lungs, usually involves treatment of the underlying condition (e.g., heart failure) by a physician rather than preventive strategies.