NATURAL CURES......EDEMA

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Edema

 

Definition

Edema is a condition characterized by abnormal amounts of excessive

fluid (commonly water and sodium) buildup in the body. Usually the

buildup of fluid occurs in the intercellular spaces, between the

cells.

 

Edema usually occurs in the extremities, but it can also occur (in

very slight amounts) in the brain when it is associated with

allergies that cause the brain to swell and manifest as headaches,

memory problems, learning disorders, or behavioral changes.

 

Symptoms

Symptoms of edema include bloating and swelling of the face, fingers,

hands, legs, and, in its later stages, the abdomen. Symptoms may be

very mild, causing rings on your fingers to feel tight or your face

to feel puffy, or they may be severe enough to cause stretching and

shininess of your skin, as well as overall weight gain.

 

Small amounts of fluid buildup can also occur elsewhere in the body,

such as the spine (causing low back pain), the lungs (mimicking

asthma/bronchitis), and the knees (mimicking arthritis), and should

be a considered in a wide variety of health problems that do not

respond to the normal treatments.

 

Cause

Edema can be caused by allergies, poor kidney excretion or secondary

kidney problems related to protein absorption, vitamin B

deficiencies, heart failure, or other liver and kidney disorders. All

of these factors must be screened for and, if present, addressed,

before long-term healing of edema can occur.

 

Air travel, travel to a new climate, and/or stress can also aggravate

edema symptoms.

 

Caution: If fluid accumulation creates such stretching and bagginess

of your skin that pressure into it creating a " pit " —a condition known

as pitting edema—a doctor should be consulted immediately as this may

be a sign of a very serious health problem.

 

 

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Natural Cures

 

Aromatherapy: Massage juniper, rosemary, geranium, or fennel

essential oils onto the areas of the body that are most affected by

fluid buildup.

 

Diet: Eat an organic, whole foods diet, and avoid foods that tend to

worsen edema symptoms, such as caffeine, alcohol, salt, fried foods,

milk and dairy products, animal protein, sugar, processed grains,

white flour, chocolate, olives, pickles, tobacco, and soy sauce.

Whole grains and watery fruits and vegetables, such as cucumbers,

apples, potatoes, grapes, beets, onions, cabbage, and citrus, should

be a regular part of your diet because these foods can help reduce

fluid buildup and retention.

 

For chronic edema conditions, also be sure to include diuretic foods

in your diet such as celery, carrot, parsley, cilantro, cranberries,

pomegranate, corn, barley, rye, and adzuki beans.

 

Herbs: Diuretic herbs can help alleviate the symptoms of edema. One

such herb is dandelion leaf, which is also a rich source of

potassium. Dandelion helps replace the potassium that is flushed from

the body via diuresis. Take one teaspoon of dandelion tincture three

times a day, or an infusion of the fresh leaves three to five times a

day. Horse-chestnut seed extract can also be helpful.

 

Hydrotherapy: Contrast application (hot and cold water packs, changed

six to eight times during each treatment).

 

Juice Therapy: To help reduce swelling and fluid buildup, drink pear,

pineapple, watermelon, and cranberry juice. Cucumber, parsley,

celery, carrot, and dandelion is another helpful juice combination

for edema.

 

Nutritional Supplementation: The following nutrients are all helpful

when seeking to prevent or reduce edema symptoms: vitamin B complex,

vitamin B6, vitamin C, pantothenic acid, and potassium. Free-form

amino acids and alfalfa tablets can also be helpful.

 

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of

a qualified health professional. The following professional care

therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating and relieving

the symptoms of edema: Ayurveda, Bodywork (Acupressure, Massage,

Reflexology, Shiatsu), Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy,

Detoxification Therapy, Environmental Medicine, Magnetic Field

Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Oxygen Therapy

(Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy), and Traditional .