Do Your Feet, Legs or Other Body Parts Swell? It Could Be Edema?

Health Tip - Edema

What is Edema?

Edema is the medical term for swelling. It is a general response of the body to injury or inflammation.

Edema is an accumulation of fluid in the body tissues. It use to be called "dropsy."

The feet and ankles are the most common place for the accumulation to occur, however any part of the body can be affected.

 Clinical Definition
Edema is defined as a palpable swelling produced by expansion of the interstitial fluid volume; when massive and generalized, the excess fluid accumulation is called anasarca.



Clinical Conditions
Caused by heart failure, cirrhosis and the nephrotic syndrome, as well as local conditions such as venous and lymphatic disease or malignant ascites.

Simple definition

Edema is the abnormal buildup of fluid in a part of the body, which can cause swelling and pain.

          

  

Some causes of Edema:

• Inactivity - swelling of the ankles during a long airplane trip;
• Disease - such as heart failure (left side of the heart is damaged and causes fluid to build up in the lungs);
• Blood clots -   that stop the flow through a blood vessel (causing blood to pool behind the clot);
• Infection - the body fighting an infection by increasing blood flow to the area;
• Heat - warm temperatures cause the blood vessels to expand, making it easier for fluid to cross into surrounding tissues;
• Food allergies - tongue or throat swelling (which can be life threatening if interferes with breathing);
• Low albumin - albumin and other proteins in the blood act like sponges to keep fluid in the blood vessels. low levels may cause edema;
• Allergic reactions - in response to exposure, the body allows nearby blood vessels to leak fluid into the affected area;
• Obstruction of flow - when drainage of fluid from a body part is blocked, fluid can back up; 
• Critical illness:
• Heart disease - when the heart weakens and pumps ineffectively, fluid can slowly build up, creating leg edema.
• Liver disease - severe liver disease (cirrhosis) results in an increase in fluid retention.
• Kidney disease - a condition called nephrotic syndrome can result in severe edema and some times whole-body edema (anasarca).
•  Pregnancy - mild swelling that's common during pregnancy, body fluids increase in order to nurture both you and your baby.
• Menstruation - the changing levels of hormones affect the rate at which fluid enters and leaves the tissues;
• Cerebral Edema
• Sunburn may cause edema
• Medications - certain drugs, such as steroids, hormone replacements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
• NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Corticosteroids (prednisone, methylpredisolone)
• Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone
• Pramiprexole

Edema can also be a result of a medical condition or problems in the balance of substances normally present in the blood.

 

Foods that worsen Edema:

•  Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Sugar
• Dairy products
• Soy sauce
• Animal protein
• Chocolate
• Olives & Pickles
• Fatty foods - fried and some grilled foods

Edema is mostly found in the legs and feet but can effect other parts of the body (arms, lips, or eye area). 

  

      

  

  

         

      

 

   

Types of Edema:

• Pulmonary Edema - When your lungs are heart filled with fluid making it impossible for your lungs to expand and for your heart to pump at a normal rate ( can be fatal).
• Pitting Edema - When the tissue is so swollen that the skin does not come back up when you press on it. Pressing down on the swollen skin leaves a "Pit."

Symptoms of Edema? 

 

Edema symptoms depend on the amount of edema and the body part affected.  Edema in small areas from an infection or inflammation (mosquito bite) may not cause symptoms at all.

Food allergies may cause tongue or throat edema, which can be life-threatening if it interferes with breathing.

Leg edema of any cause can cause the legs to feel heavy and interfere with walking.

Clinical Treatment of Edema?

Edema is a sign of an underlying problem, rather than a disease unto itself.

The general principles for the treatment of edema in adults, includes the use of diuretics furosemide (Lasix) to remove the excess fluid.

A blood clot in the leg is treated with blood thinners.

A tumor obstructing a blood vessel or lymph flow can sometimes be reduced in sized or removed by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.

Maintain a low sodium-restricted diet will help limit fluid retention.

                                                    
                   

Make Simple Changes to Prevent Edema:

• Reducing sodium intake
• Maintaining proper weight
• Drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day
• Eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic best)
• Eat, do not skip meals
• Eat nuts, seeds, and whole grains
• Drink fresh juice
• Do a seasonal colon cleanse
• Do not drink or limit coffee, alcohol, soda pop, or other junk food drinks
• Do not eat or limit processed foods, white sugar, white flour, etc.
• Eliminate and/or limit stress
• Avoid or limit red meat and animal fats
• Avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet
• Reduce dairy products, cheese, milk, and other
• Fast a few days a month
• Get at least 8 hours of sleep
• Elevate legs, place legs at least 12in above the level of the heart to 10-15 minutes
• Use support stockings to promote circulation
• Do not smoke and /or avoid second hand smoke
• Exercise light to moderate  to stimulate circulation  

Please be mindful stress and poor nutrition can make you vulnerable to edema.

Remember!
Information is Power

For more information go to www.WebMD.org, www.Ask.com, www.whattoexpect.com, www.encyclopedia.com, www.diethealthclub.com, www.livestrong.com, www.healthy-r-us.co.uk/Health_Center_edema, www.uptodate.com, or www.everydayhealth.com

 

Doc V