Edema: Natural remedies

Symptoms vary depending on the cause of edema. In general, weight gain, puffy eyelids, and swelling of the legs may occur as a result of excess fluid volume. Pulse rate and blood pressure may be elevated. Hand and neck veins may be observed as fuller.

Here are some tips that you may find useful in treating your edema.

Edema cannot be cured. The only way to treat edema is to treat the condition that is causing it. The following are some remedies you can do to keep the swelling down:

• Put a pillow under your legs when you are lying down.
• Wear support stockings, which you can buy at most drugstores. Support stockings put pressure on your legs and keep water from collecting in your legs and ankles.
• Do not sit or stand for too long without moving.
• Follow your doctor's orders about limiting how much salt you eat.

It is important to see your doctor if you have edema. If it is not treated, your skin may keep stretching, which can lead to other problems. Call your doctor right away if have edema and you start to have trouble breathing. If you are pregnant and you notice edema, call your doctor as soon as you can.

Nutritional therapy

A naturopath or a nutritionist may recommend the following dietary changes:

• Reduction of salt intake, including salty foods such as olives, soy sauce, or pickles. Cutting back the amount of sodium eaten may help reduce edema.
• Limited use of alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and dairy products.
• Increased consumption of whole grain foods, cucumbers, apples, potatoes, grapes, onions, cabbage, and oranges.
• Daily vitamin and mineral supplements.

Herbal Remedy

Diuretic herbs can also help relieve edema. One of the best herbs for this purpose is dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum), since, in addition to its diuretic action, it is a rich source of potassium. (Diuretics flush potassium from the body, and it must be replaced to avoid potassium deficiency.)

Hydrotherapy

Hydortherapy using daily contrast applications of hot and cold (either compresses or immersion) may also be helpful.

Other alternative treatments

Other alternative solutions may also reduce edema. They include traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, juice therapy, and bodywork. Traditional Chinese medicine and acupunture have an elaborate diagnostic system to determine the pattern causing the edema. Thus treatment, if done correctly, results not only in the removal of fluid, but also with the correction of the problem.

Allopathic treatment

The three "Ds"--diuretics, digitalis, and diet--are frequently prescribed for medical conditions that result in excess fluid volume. Diuretics are medications that promote urination of sodium and water. Digoxin is a digitalis preparation that is sometimes needed to decrease heart rate and increase the strength of the heart's contractions. One dietary recommendation includes less sodium in order to decrease fluid retention. Consideration of adequate protein intake is also made.

For patients with lymphedema, a combination of therapies may prove effective. Combined decongestive therapy includes the use of manual lymph drainage (MLD), compression bandaging, garments and pumps, and physical therapy.

Capisette - Natural Edema Remedy from Home

Our product Capisette is a natural remedy that can help reduce the swelling. By including Progressive Health's edema formula into your current dietary and lifestyle changes, you may see a pronounced improvement in the abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin.