What are common causes of peripheral edema?

Peripheral edema is frequently associated with conditions that affect fluid balance and circulation in the body. Fluid accumulation resulting from congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to increased pressure in the blood vessels and causing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues. Similarly, renal failure can result in an inability to excrete sufficient fluid, contributing to an excess of fluids in the body, which can manifest as peripheral edema.

In contrast, while chronic hypoxemia, acute respiratory distress, and liver dysfunction may have various effects on the body, they are not as direct or common causes of peripheral edema as cardiac and renal issues. Chronic hypoxemia primarily affects oxygen delivery to tissues rather than fluid balance, and while acute respiratory distress might contribute indirectly through complications, it does not directly cause edema. Liver dysfunction can lead to edema through mechanisms related to protein levels and fluid retention; however, it is more complex and less immediate in causing peripheral edema than the direct effects seen in CHF and renal failure. Thus, the choice indicating fluid accumulation from CHF and renal failure encompasses the fundamental mechanisms behind the development of peripheral edema.