What is edema (also spelled edema), anyway?
Well, it’s an observable swelling that comes from a buildup of fluid in the tissues of the body.
And, the edema most often occurs in the feet and legs, where it is known as peripheral edema.
The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues. We already have fluid in there, the interstitial fluid, but this is more than normal.
Other parts of the body, such as the face and hands, may also be affected.
As many of us know, after a long day of shopping (or walking through an art museum, or just standing), swelling or edema around the ankles etc. can occur. And it can happen to anyone.
At night, the fluid tends to drain from the legs, so foot/ankle edema is usually less obvious when you get up in the morning.
But is it serious?
Well, depending on how extreme it is and how long you’ve been there…it could be!
types of edema
Most of us will have experienced edema in our everyday lives.
We will notice that our rings don’t fit well or that our ankles are a bit swollen. And if you’ve had too much alcohol, you’ll see it in the morning, right before your eyes, on that swollen face of yours.
It comes and goes, but if it stays, well, that could mean something different…
There are 2 main types of edema:
- In non-pitting edema, which usually affects the legs or arms, the pressure applied to the skin does not result in a persistent indentation.
Pitting edema can be demonstrated by applying pressure to the swollen area by pressing on the skin with a finger, and a persistent indentation results. That means the skin doesn’t pop back, but the indentation from finger pressure remains, indicating something more serious.
Edema has been described as a result of venous ulceration, which is often caused by an increase in tissue pressure (increased fluid within the tissue) due to increased capillary permeability.
Some causes of edema
Certainly, there can be many causes for edema. Some are fleeting as I mentioned above, while others are much more serious.
If you have edema (or any swelling) and you don’t know the cause, it’s important to see your doctor. You’ll feel better knowing nothing’s wrong…or if there is, you’ll want to know too.
Swelling of the ankles and lower legs may be mild and transient, or it may accompany other conditions, such as obesity, diseased leg veins, kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver, anemia, and severe malnutrition. It could also be a feature of congestive heart failure.
And there could be other factors that could contribute to its appearance, including:
- Eating a poor diet that is high in salt and carbohydrates.
- Taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome
- sodium retention
- Varicose veins and a history of phlebitis.
- Allergic reactions
- neuromuscular disorders
- Trauma
- drugs abuse
Symptoms:
A symptom is when, initially, the feet and legs look swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling starts first thing in the morning and continues to get worse throughout the day.
There is probably a certain amount of edema we can live with when it is found not to be a problem.
However, it can become serious, particularly if the edema is advanced and has been around for a while, it could cause pitting (as mentioned above, when you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area that continues long after you finger pressure is removed). Continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.
Over time, other symptoms may develop as a result of fluid retention and pressure on the tissue and body:
- Hypertension
- Headaches
- pressure on the skin
- increased urination
- palpitations
- Swollen hands and/or wrists
- swelling of the face around the eyes, in the feet, ankles, and legs
- weight gain
Salt intake and edema
Granted, we know that food tastes better with salt and that is why so many products and restaurants load their food with it.
It is usually found in large amounts in processed foods. Even ‘health foods’ can have lots and lots of salt (it’s a shame that salt, sugar and fat are things that make food taste better and are overused in our culture).
Just about anything can be fine in moderation, but we’re overreacting with these foods.
The body’s salt balance is usually well regulated. A normal person can consume relatively small or large amounts of dietary salt (although extremes are best avoided) without worrying about salt depletion or retention.
The amount of salt excreted by the kidneys is regulated by hormonal and physical factors that indicate whether salt retention or elimination by the kidneys is necessary.
If someone has kidney disease that affects kidney function, the ability to excrete salt in the urine is limited.
In some conditions, the amount of salt in the body increases and this can cause a person to retain water and develop edema.
Common Treatments
Over-the-counter diuretics containing ammonium chloride and caffeine (think Aqua-Ban®) are sold with the promise of relieving edema-related symptoms. The most severe edematous conditions require medical attention.
Treatment of edema with prescription drugs is limited to the use of diuretics, commonly known as “water pills.”
Treatment commonly consists of managing the underlying condition, which may include: inadequate nutrition; liver, heart and kidney disease; or obstruction of blood or lymphatic flow. In some cases, a salt-restricted diet may be recommended.
If the edema is localized and is due to strain or trauma, people report having good results with homeopathic products such as ‘Traumeel’ and ‘Topricene’. I have both on hand.
What could help?
- Diet is always key: watch your salt intake and eat plenty of vegetables
- It is always a good idea to watch your salt intake.
- If your legs or ankles are swollen, it is suggested that you elevate your legs above your heart while lying down.
- Exercise your legs. This could help pump fluid from the legs to the heart.
- Some people find it helpful to wear support stockings (sold at most pharmacies and medical supply stores).
- Reflexology could be a great health support – OR NOT – read on…
What can reflexology do?
The fluid that accumulates and becomes edema normally returns to the heart through the lymphatic system.
Unlike the circulatory system, which has a pump (the heart), the lymphatic system depends on the movements of the body to help drain its fluids.
Since there are no tiny pumps on the tips of the fingers and toes, the gentle movements of our reflexology techniques (thumb and fingers) on the extremities support the natural processes of the whole body.
Once again, I remind you that reflexologists do not treat, diagnose or prescribe.
And I’m not even specifically interested in the movement of local fluids. My attention is focused on the whole body, organs and organ systems.
But another “additional benefit” of my reflexology work is the potential to help smooth tides as well.
Be careful though, there may be some endemic conditions that don’t need this or are too weak to benefit.
Yes, that’s right, if the condition goes undiagnosed, or even if it is diagnosed, and it is advanced edema (pitting edema is advanced), you should always check with your doctor first before working.
Because?
Because unless you’re a doctor, you don’t know if it will help or if it will be too fluid motion for an obviously compromised system to handle.
No guessing here, remember, someone who is sick will have a medical team. It is in everyone’s best interest to consult with the medical team. They won’t care or be surprised, it’s what everyone does.
Now, my guess is almost always that reflexology will help.
But, if someone is very sick, it’s the team MD who needs to know and approve any work before you can be sure to proceed. They know the whole story about their patients’ health and will base their recommendations on the big picture.
You and even the person with the edema may not understand or even know the full implications of your condition.
So it’s easier than you thought, and there’s no guesswork, just make the call to let the team know and get approval to proceed with reflexology.
Easy as pie (is that a prairie expression?).
Some swelling is a fairly common sight. In a healthy person, it is not a problem unless it has lasted too long, has impeded movement, or is cause for concern.
And, yes, there are reflexes in the immune system.
Don’t forget the spleen (the largest lymphoid in the body and reflexes to the thymus too, both are important).
