What is edema (also spelled edema), anyway?

Well, it is an observable swelling that comes from a buildup of fluid in the body tissues.

And edema occurs most often 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 on your feet), 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 apparent when you get up in the morning.

But it’s 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 or our ankles are a bit swollen. And if you’ve had too much alcohol, you’ll see it in the morning, right in front of your eyes, on that puffy 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, pressure applied to the skin does not result in a persistent cleft.

Pitting edema that can be demonstrated by applying pressure to the inflamed area by pressing against the skin with a finger, resulting in a persistent cleft. That means that the skin does not recede, but the indentation of finger pressure remains, indicating something more serious.

Edema has been described as the 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 swelling) and you don’t know the cause, it’s important to see your doctor. You will feel better knowing that nothing is wrong … or, if there is, you will want to know too.

Edema 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 high in salt and carbohydrates.
• Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills
• Pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome
• Sodium retention
• Varicose veins and history of phlebitis.
• Allergic reactions
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Trauma
• Abusing drugs

Symptoms:

One symptom is when the feet and legs will initially appear swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling will start first thing in the morning and continue to get worse throughout the day.

There is probably a certain amount of edema that we can live with when it is discovered that it is not a problem.

But it can become severe, especially if the edema is advanced and has been present for a while, it can cause pitting (as mentioned above, when you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area). which continues long after the pressure is removed from the fingers). 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
• Swelling of the hands and / or wrists.
• swelling of the face around the eyes, in the feet, ankles, and legs
• weight gain

Salt intake and edema

Well, 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 ‘healthy foods’ can have a lot, a lot of salt (it’s too bad that salt, sugar, and fat are things that make food taste better and are overused in our culture).

Almost anything can be fine in moderation, but we are way above these foods.

The body’s salt balance is usually well regulated. A normal person can consume relatively small or large amounts of salt in the diet (although extremes are best avoided) without worrying about developing salt depletion or retention.

The amount of salt excreted by the kidneys is regulated by hormonal and physical factors that indicate whether the retention or elimination of salt by the kidneys is necessary.

If someone has kidney disease that affects the function of the kidneys, 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 symptoms related to edema. More serious edematous conditions require medical attention.

Treatment of edema with prescription drugs is limited to the use of diuretics, commonly referred to as “water pills.”

Treatment usually 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 stress or trauma, people report that they have had good results with homeopathic products such as ‘Traumeel’ and ‘Topricene’. I have them 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 raise your legs above your heart while lying down.
• Exercise your legs. This may help pump fluid from your legs to your heart.
• Some people find that wearing support stockings (sold in most pharmacies and medical supply stores) helps.
• Reflexology could be a great healthy support, OR NOT, read on …

What can reflexology do?

Fluid that builds up to become edema normally returns to the heart through the lymphatic system.

Unlike the circulatory system that 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 finger walking) in the limbs support natural processes throughout the body.

Again, I will remind you that reflexologists do not treat, diagnose, or prescribe.

And I’m not even specifically interested in local fluid movement. My focus is on the whole body, organs and organ systems.

But another “added benefit” of my reflexology work is the potential to help fluid tides as well.

Be careful though, there may be some endemic conditions that don’t need it or are too weak to benefit.

Yes, it is, if the condition is undiagnosed, or even diagnosed, and 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 a movement for an obviously compromised system to handle.

No guessing here: remember, someone who is sick will have a medical team. It is best for everyone to consult with the medical team. They won’t care or be surprised, it’s what everyone does.

Now my guess is that reflexology will almost always help.

But, if someone is very ill, it is the team doctor who must know and approve any work before you can be sure to proceed. They know the whole story about the health of their patients 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 no guesswork, just make the call to brief the team and get the go-ahead to proceed with reflexology.

Easy as pie (is that a prairie expression?).

A little swelling is quite common. 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).