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health advisory Hospital Alternative Medicine 2007-11-16 3:12:14

Causes:

Edema can be caused by a serious condition of the kidney, heart, liver or blood vessels, but many other factors can contribute to its onset, including:

Eating a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates

Abusing laxatives

Abusing diuretics

Abusing drugs

Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills

Pregnancy and PMS

Sodium retention

Varicose veins and history of phlebitis

Allergic reactions

Neuromuscular disorders

Trauma

Symptoms:

Initially, the feet and legs will appear swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling will set in first thing in the morning and continue to worsen throughout the day. Long-term edema causes pitting: When you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area. Continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.

Over time, other symptoms will develop:

High blood pressure

Headaches

Increased urination

Palpitations

Swollen hands and/or wrists

Puffy eyes

Weight gain

Relief and Prevention:

The hallmark of treatment is to reduce the swelling, and the first line of defense: leg elevation. Elevate legs above the level of the heart, which puts minimal pressure on the backs of the knees and thighs and lower back. Just sitting in a reclining chair in front of the TV is a great way to elevate your legs. Many products, for use at home or at work, can also help reduce swelling.