Edema Dropsy
(see also Allergies and Ankles Swollen)
Symptoms
Edema, or dropsy as it is sometimes known, is swelling due to an infiltration of fluid into the tissues. If it occurs in one specific area, it can cause the nearby skin to become taut and shiny, and the muscles become achy. A noticeable weight gain of several pounds can occur. Edema is most common around the feet and ankles, however bloating from fluid retention usually affects the whole body.
Edema Dropsy Causes
There are hundreds of predisposing factors that can cause edema. It is quite normal for edema to develop after an injury, inflammation or allergies. The ankle-swelling, bloating and weight-gain symptoms of edema during PMS are the result of hormonal imbalances, which can also occur when taking the birth control pill. During late pregnancy, fluid retention and high blood pressure are dangerous signs of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that eventually results in convulsions if left untreated.
Certain high blood pressure medications (beta-adrenergic blockers) can cause edema, as can protein deficiency or imbalance, varicose veins, obesity, liver disease, thyroid disease, adrenal problems, various forms of heart disease, pancreatitis and kidney disorders.
Feet and ankle swelling are often caused by a weak venous system that has been overburdened from standing or even sitting for too long. Tissues are more likely to swell in the heat.
Waterlogging which develops in the legs and ankles at the end of the day and disappears by morning could be a sign of heart disease. Persistent edema, which begins with puffiness in the eyelids and face, can be the result of water retention due to kidney disease. Although puffy lids are often linked to kidney problems, many persons have a tendency for swollen lids, especially in the morning upon waking, without any signs of illness. In cases of malnutrition or liver cirrhosis, a severe lack of protein causes edema in the abdomen. Protein is necessary to hold water in the bloodstream, among its many other functions.
A significant number of people suffering from edema of unknown origin have hidden or delayed food allergies. Many women are put on diuretics for years to control their tendency for fluid retention. Weight fluctuations are very often associated with fluid retention problems and are usually indicators of unsuspected food allergies. Changing the diet to avoid or rotate the allergic foods causes the elimination of the fluid excess and may significantly help those with chronic weight control problems. Dairy products, wheat and other grains are the most common offenders, but any food can produce fluid retention in susceptible individuals.
Edema Dropsy Nutrition
Drink plenty of water. Edema can result from too little water in the body due to inadequate liquid intake or excessive intake of protein-rich foods, such as meat, fish and cheese, which take large quantities of water to digest. The body compensates for the imbalance by retaining water.
To aid the kidneys in eliminating excess water, use little or no table salt and eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables which alleviate water retention because they are low in sodium and high in potassium.
Whole grains and nutritional yeast are good sources of B vitamins, which have been shown to be effective in reducing water retention. Restrict the intake of sugar and white-flour products, as these refined carbohydrates deplete the body of B vitamins.
Juniper berries are an effective remedy for edema due to a sluggish metabolism as they stimulate kidney activity, thereby increasing water elimination.
A traditional remedy for swollen ankles is adzuki beans, boiled in plenty of water and taken either as a soup or a drink twice daily. Another folk remedy for swollen ankles and legs is potato peelings (from organically grown potatoes) simmered in two cups of water for fifteen minutes and strained. Take two tablespoons in a glass of water four times daily for fourteen days.
If nothing else helps, try a three-day onion diet: juice one pound of fresh raw onions and mix with three ounces unpasteurized honey and four cups of white wine. Take one tablespoon four times daily to promote fluid elimination.
Edema Dropsy Nutritional Supplements
Edema due to heart or kidney problems should be examined. Water retention is often caused by retaining too much sodium, which can be compensated by increasing calcium and magnesium intake. Vitamin B6 is effective in ridding the tissues of water, especially if caused by PMS. Take a B6 supplement with a vitamin B complex for ten days to two weeks before the period to prevent imbalances.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids helps stabilize the cell walls if sluggish lymphatic vessels or veins are at fault. Vitamin C also assists the adrenals in controlling body fluids.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 3,000 mg
Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, 50 mg, with a vitamin B complex, 50 mg of each
Helpful
Calcium, 1,200 mg
Magnesium, 500 mg
Vitamin A, 10,000 IU
(avoid during pregnancy)
Edema Dropsy Herbal Remedies
To promote urination and circulation and to alleviate water retention, take herbal remedies.
Common melilot stimulates lymph circulation. Apply as salve or use in herbal pillow on swollen areas.
Juniper berries stimulate kidney activity, increasing water elimination. Chew 5 dried juniper berries the first day, 6 on the second day and so on to the eleventh day totaling 15 berries, then take one berry less every day until the twenty-second day, when you are down to 5 berries again. Do not take juniper berries with kidney inflammation.
Drink teas and juices of diuretic herbs to promote urination, such as horsetail, parsley, yarrow, stinging nettle, birch leaves and watercress. For tea, add 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water or take 1 tbsp. of juice daily.
Edema Dropsy Homeopathy
Consult an experienced homeopath for constitutional treatment. In the meantime, the following remedies offer short-term relief of symptoms. Take the 6c strength, three times daily for up to two weeks.
Take Arsenicum for swolen feet and ankles, chilliness, restlessness, and a frequent thirst for small quantities of hot beverages.
Apis is used for swelling with inflammation and stinging pains that are made worse by heat and even light pressure.
Edema Dropsy Tissue Salts
Take 4 tablets under the tongue three times daily.
Nat sulph adjusts the density of the fluid, and can regulate water distribution.
Edema Dropsy External/Physical Therapies
Daily exercise, diaphragmatic breathing, stretching and walking in fresh air are beneficial for stimulating the flow of lymph and eliminating toxins.
Massages and lymph drainage are recommended.
Hot and cold hydrotherapy increases circulation. Salt packs, dry or moist, applied to swollen ankles or other affected areas, will draw out water from the tissues.
For badly swollen ankles, elevate legs every hour for a few minutes or twice daily for half an hour.
Acupressure
Lie on the floor and bend the knees, bringing the right foot up on the left thigh. With the right thumb, press on the inside of the leg at the tibia indent, just below the knee. With the left thumb, press on the point above the ankle-bone, as illustrated. Hold with deep thumb pressure for one minute, then repeat on the other leg.
Edema Dropsy Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Rutivate (Inno-Vite)
Coenzyme Q10 (Natural Factors)
Designer Protein (Next Nutrition)
Multi-Force (Prairie Naturals)
Woman PMS Capsules (Sisu)
Herbal Remedies
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Medicinal Tea: Uratonic (Flora)
Salus Horsetail Tincture (Flora)
Schoenenberger Dandelion Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Schoenenberger Nettle Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)
Traditional Yin-yang Herbals Longevity Formula Capsules (Flora)
Traditional Yin-yang Herbals Longevity Formula Liquid (Flora)
Diuretic (Natural Factors)
Diurtab (Nature's Herbs)
Juniper Berry Combination (Nature's Herbs)
External Therapies
Cypress Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Grapefruit Oil (Karooch Essential Oil)
Juniper Berry (Karooch Essential Oils)
Patchouli Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Sandalwood Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
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They work sometimes. I am only a little overweight ( I am 5'6'' and weigh 160lbs0
Anyway, just recently I my feet and ankles have begun to swell more than they ever have before. And now I am experiencing severe pain in my lower left leg. It has gotten quite difficult to walk sometimes, my feet and ankles swell any time of the day now. When they would swell before they went down by morning. THEY DON'T DO THAT NOW. I actually had to go home from work once last week and now I notice they are right up there as bad as they were before; and quite painful.
I am at my wits end. I have called my doctor with my concerns before and have been told there is nothing more he can do for me. Is this true? Am I just going to have to live with this? I am at my wits end. Can someone please help me.
Oh, my physician also prescribed potassium tablets to take daily, b...