Edema

Description

Edema is a condition characterized by abnormal levels of excessive fluid (commonly drinking water and sodium) buildup in the body. Usually the actual buildup of fluid occurs in the intercellular spaces, between the cells.

Edema usually occurs in the extremities, but additionally, it may occur (in very minor amounts) within the brain when it’s associated with allergic reactions that cause the brain to enlarge and show itself as head aches, memory problems, learning problems, or behavior changes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of edema include bloating and inflammation of the fingers, hands, legs, and in its later stages, the abdomen. Symptoms may be very mild, leading to rings on your fingers to skin tightness, or they may be severe enough to cause stretching and shininess of your skin, in addition to weight increases.

Small amounts of liquid buildup also occurs elsewhere in the body, such as the spine (causing low back pain), the lungs (mimicking bronchial asthma/respiratory disease), and the knees (mimicking arthritis), and should be a considered within a wide variety of health issues that do not react to the normal treatments.

Cause

Edema can be caused by allergies, poor kidney removal or secondary kidney difficulties related to protein absorption, vitamin B deficiencies, center failure, or other liver and kidney disorders. All of these factors must be screened with regard to and, in the event that present, addressed, before long-term recovery of edema can occur.

Airline travel, travel to a brand new climate, and/or even stress may also aggravate edema symptoms.

Caution: If fluid accumulation produces such stretching and bagginess of your skin which pressure involved with it creating a Inchpit”—a condition known as pitting edema—a doctor should be consulted immediately because this may be a sign of a very severe health problem.

Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: Massage juniper, rosemary, geranium, or fennel essential oils onto the actual areas of the body that are most affected by fluid buildup.

Diet: Consume an organic, whole foods diet, and avoid foods that tend to worsen edema signs and symptoms, such as caffeine, alcohol, salt, fried foods, milk and dairy products, animal proteins, sugar, processed grains, whitened flour, chocolate, olives, pickles, tobacco, and soy marinade. Whole grains and watery vegetables and fruit, such as cucumbers, apples, taters, grapes, beets, onions, cabbage, and citrus, should be a normal part of your diet because these foods can help decrease fluid accumulation and retention.

For persistent edema problems, also make sure to include diuretic foods in your diet such as celery, carrot, parsley, cilantro, cranberries, pomegranate, corn, barley, rye, and adzuki beans.

Herbs: Diuretic herbs can help relieve the symptoms of edema. One such herb is actually dandelion leaf, which is also a rich source of potassium. Dandelion assists replace the potassium that’s flushed in the body via diuresis. Take one teaspoon of dandelion tincture three times a day, or even an infusion of the fresh leaves 3 to 5 times each day. Horse–chestnut seed extract may also be helpful.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the process of applying water, ice, steam and alternating cold and hot temperatures to restore health. Treatments include total body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation, and the application of warm and cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating an array of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a personal-treatment program. Many professionals including naturopathic physicians, physical therapists, and day spas use Hydrotherapy as part of their treatment routines. We suggest trying several at home hydrotherapy remedies but please seek the advice of an alternative healthcare practitioner prior to undergoing these treatments to ensure they are right for you.

*Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy remedy.

Liquid Therapy: To help reduce swelling as well as fluid accumulation, drink pear, pineapple, melon, and cranberry juice. Cucumber, parsley, celery, carrot, as well as dandelion is yet another helpful liquid combination with regard to edema.

Nutritional Supplementation: These nutrients are helpful whenever seeking to avoid or reduce edema signs and symptoms: vitamin B complex, vitamin B6, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, as well as potassium. Free-type amino acids as well as alfalfa tablets can also be useful.

Alternative Expert Care

If your symptoms continue despite following the above measures, seek the assistance of a competent health professional. These professional treatment therapies have been shown to be useful for dealing with and reducing the symptoms of edema: Ayurveda, Bodywork (Acupressure, Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu), Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy, Detoxification Treatment, Environmental Treatments, Magnetic Area Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Oxygen Treatment (Hyperbaric Air Therapy), and traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of these alternative therapies)