Edema Home Remedies

Edema occurs when an excess of fluid from the capillaries flows on to the surrounding tissues, which leads to a swelling. The fluid can leak when there is excess pressure on the capillaries or the capillaries are damaged. Edema can affect any part of the body, but is more common in the ankles, legs and feet. When the body senses that the fluid is leaking, the kidneys try to compensate, for the loss of fluid and begin to retain higher amounts of sodium and water in the body than is normal. This causes the capillaries to leak even more, spilling on to the surrounding tissue.

Edema causes are pregnancy, using certain medicines, certain medical conditions, excess of salt, lack of activity.

Edema Treatment

Edema treatment usually requires treating the underlying cause of edema. The patient may be required to take medication to increase the output of sodium and water of the kidneys. The intake of salt in the diet should be decreased to retain fluid. In addition to medication, there are other home remedies and lifestyle changes that would help decrease edema and prevent it from recurring –

• Movement: Moving about to use the muscles, especially those that are in the part of the body that are affected by edema could help to pump the excess fluid back to the heart. A doctor may be able to recommend some exercises that can help reduce swelling.
• Massage: Massage the affected area, towards the direction of the heart, to move the excess fluid away from the area. The pressure applied for the massage should be firm, but not painful.
• Elevation: It is also recommended that the swollen or affected part of the body be raised above the level of the heart for about thirty minutes or so, approximately three or four times a day. The affected part should be elevated while the patient sleeps, for it to be more helpful.
• Comprehension: In case the edema affects the hands or the feet, it may be helpful to wear sleeves, gloves and stockings, as they apply pressure on the limbs and prevent the fluid from collecting in the tissue.
• Avoiding high temperatures: Sudden changes in temperature or temperatures that are extremely hot or cold can aggravate edema and therefore hot or cold baths, saunas and hot tubs should be avoided. Proper measures should also be taken to protect the body from factors like sunburn, frostbites, and similar other conditions.