What is edema (also spelled edema), anyway?
Well, it’s an observable swelling that comes from a buildup of fluid in the body’s tissues.
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 there, the interstitial fluid, but this is more than usual.
Other parts of the body, such as the face and hands, can 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, fluid tends to drain from the legs, so foot/ankle swelling is usually less noticeable when you wake up in the morning.
But is it serious?
Well, depending on how extreme it is and how long it’s been there… it could be!
Types of edema
Most of us will have experienced edema in our daily lives.
We will notice that our rings do not fit us well or that our ankles are a little swollen. And if you’ve had too much alcohol, you’ll see it in the morning, right before your eyes, on that puffy face of yours.
It comes and goes, but if it stays, well, that could mean something else…
There are 2 main types of edema:
- In nonpitting edema, which usually affects the legs or arms, the pressure applied to the skin does not result in a persistent indentation.
Pitting edema which can be demonstrated by applying pressure to the swollen area by pressing on the skin with a finger, resulting in a persistent indentation. That means the skin doesn’t spring 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 increased 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 earlier, 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 can be mild and transient, or it can accompany other conditions, such as obesity, diseased leg veins, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, 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:
One symptom is when the feet and legs initially look swollen as the day goes on, but after a period of time the swelling begins first thing in the morning and continues to worsen throughout the day.
There is probably a certain amount of edema we can live with when it is found to be not a problem.
However, it can become serious, especially if the edema is advanced and has been around for a while, it can cause pitting (as mentioned above, when you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you’ll notice an indentation in that area that continues long after 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:
- high blood pressure
- 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
Okay, we know that food tastes better with salt and that’s why so many produce and restaurants load their food with it.
It is usually found in high amounts in processed foods. Even ‘healthy 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 going overboard 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 retention or elimination of salt 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. More 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 due to strain or trauma, people report 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’s always a good idea to monitor 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 support for health – 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 that has a pump (the heart), the lymphatic system relies on the body’s movements to help drain its fluids.
Since there are no little pumps at the tips of your fingers and toes, the gentle movements of our (thumb and finger) reflexology techniques on the extremities support natural processes throughout the body.
Once again, I remind you that reflexologists do not treat, diagnose or prescribe.
And I’m not even specifically interested in local fluid motion. My focus is on the entire body, the organs and organ systems.
But another “added benefit” of my reflexology work is the potential to help flow 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 is 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.
Why?
Because, unless you’re a doctor, you don’t know if it will help or 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 really sick, it’s the team MD who has to know about 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?).
A little 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 a cause for concern.
And, yes, there are reflexes in the immune system.
Don’t forget the spleen (the largest lymphoid in the body and thymus reflexes too, both are important).