Edema

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Hey all......I promised someone.....can't remember who that I would do some

research on this and get back to them.....well.....this is what I came up

with...if I can help with anything else......please let me know and let me

know if you want something more specific....I hope this finds you and yours

well.....Nothing like a vacation to get a person back in the right frame of

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soon......Mark

What should I know about Edema?

Doctors define edema as an increase in the volume of fluid in the spaces

between the body's cells. Depending on its cause, edema-related swelling may

occur in a specific area or it may be distributed throughout the body.

There are many forms of edema. One type, known as anasarca, may be

characterized by puffiness in the face. Other common signs of anasarca

include rings that fit more snugly, or shoes that become uncomfortably

tight, particularly in the evening. Another form of edema, ascites, is

characterized by an excess of fluid in the lining of the abdomen and is

usually associated with liver disease. Hydrothorax is yet another type of

edema in which fluid accumulates in the space surrounding the lungs.

Finally, idiopathic edema is a syndrome that occurs almost exclusively in

women. It involves the retention of water and the accumulation of " water

weight " as a part of premenstrual syndrome.

The causes of edema are related to the way fluids are distributed and

transported throughout the body. Much of the fluid in the body is exchanged

between the capillaries and the spaces that surround the cells. In a healthy

state, a balance of pressure is maintained between the fluid in the

capillaries and the fluid outside the capillaries, which is referred to as

interstitial fluid. The development of edema occurs when this delicate

balance of pressure is disrupted and an excess of fluid flows out of the

capillaries and into the interstitial space.

Edema can also be caused by trauma to the systems that maintain a healthy

balance of fluids in the body. For instance, burns, cuts, bumps, and bruises

can damage the sensitive capillary tissues that control the flow of pressure

into and out of the spaces between cells. The swelling that occurs as a

result of these wounds is a form of edema. Chemical and bacterial invaders

can damage the capillaries and trigger edema as well.

Other forms of edema are often caused by a reduction in the total volume of

blood in the body. In this situation, the body compensates for the lower

blood volume by retaining more water and salt. If, however, this response is

insufficient to restore a proper blood volume, the retention of water and

salt increases and edema can develop. This cycle is often seen in patients

with congestive heart failure. In this case, the heart is unable to pump

enough blood out of the heart and fill the circulatory system. The body then

responds to the reduction in blood volume by retaining more and more water.

Edema often follows.

Still more causes of edema include kidney failure, protein deficiency, and

pregnancy, as well as the use of certain estrogen therapies and

vasodilators.

Edema or swelling in the tissues is a symptom that the fluids in your body

are out of balance. The location of the swelling is often helpful in

understanding the underlying problem.

Edema in one specific area is often due to injury or infection. The edema

that happens with bumps, bruises, burns, or infections to certain areas of

the body are usually seen along with redness, heat, and tenderness in the

affected area. They are a result of injury to the capillaries (very small

blood vessels that supply tissues with blood).

Edema in one arm or leg may be due to a blockage of the blood supply or

lymph to the affected limb.

Edema that is generalized (not limited to one certain area of the body) may

be a symptom of many different disorders and your physician may do lab tests

to check kidney function, liver function, heart function, and nutritional

status (blood tests for the amount of protein, and other vitamins and

minerals present). This type of edema is usually recognized by puffiness in

the face, especially around the eyes. Rings may fit more snugly on fingers

and shoes seem to be tighter, especially in the evening, or when you have

been standing for a long time. When you push on the skin with your thumb,

the imprint remains indented. This is known as pitting edema.

Liver disease may cause edema in the abdomen called ascites.

Changes in blood pressure or heart problems may cause edema in the legs and

ankles, or in the lungs. If the heart cannot pump all the blood that is sent

to it, fluid backs up in either the lungs or tissues to cause the swelling.

Kidney problems usually cause the body to save up salt (sodium) and water.

This may also be a cause of edema.

Edema is often seen in pregnancy, and sometimes as a side effect if you are

taking estrogens or some types of blood pressure or heart medication.

Edema in the face is sometimes seen in severe allergic reactions or if a

patient has severe lack of thyroid hormone.

Signs and Symptoms

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The following list does not insure the presence of this health condition.

Please see the text and your healthcare professional for more information.

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Edema or swelling in the tissues may be a symptom of many different

disorders, from heart disease to blood clots to liver disease. Please

contact your healthcare professional if you have any of the following

symptoms

Redness, heat, and tenderness in an affected area

Swelling in a single entire arm or leg

Puffiness in the face, especially around the eyes

Rings may fit more snugly on fingers

Shoes seem to be tighter

Swelling and fluid in the abdomen (ascites)

Swelling in the legs and ankles, or in the lungs

Treatment Options Back to Top

Conventional

When determining a treatment for edema, physicians first try to

ascertain the underlying cause. In most cases, doctors will try determine if

the edema is localized to a specific region of the body or if it is present

throughout the body. In many situations where edema is present, the

restriction of sodium intake is the first choice in treatment, either

through diet or by means of prescription diuretic drugs. Often, bedrest or

elevation of legs for a period each day is also recommended. In the case of

edema associated with heart failure, doctors often prescribe diuretics and

other drugs to manage the circulatory system. In the case of idiopathic

edema, doctors may recommend that women wear elastic stockings in addition

to extended periods of bedrest.

Nutritional Supplementation

Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)

Research suggests that this important fatty acid may be therapeutically

effective in reducing fluid retention and numerous other symptoms in women

with premenstrual syndrome.(1) Studies have also suggested that evening

primrose oil, which is a rich source of GLA, is a highly effective treatment

for fluid retention in addition to the depression, irritability, breast

pain, and tenderness that is associated with premenstrual syndrome. Other

research may point to the effectiveness of using GLA during pregnancy in

combination with fish oils containing two other fatty acids,

eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Researchers think this

combination may ease the edema that can occur as a result of

pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.(2)

Magnesium

One study has looked at the effectiveness of this mineral in treating edema

associated with premenstrual syndrome. During the second month of taking

magnesium, women in the study reported a greater reduction of symptoms of

swelling of extremities, weight gain, breast tenderness, and abdominal

bloating compared to women taking a placebo.(3)

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Herbal Supplementation

Dandelion Leaf

Dandelion leaf has historically been used as a valuable food and medicinal

agent. The leaf contains a high content of vitamins and minerals, including

vitamin A and potassium. It is also commonly used as a diuretic. Because of

its diuretic properties, it may be of use in the treatment of edema.

Dandelion leaf is unique in that it is one of the few diuretics that does

not rob the body of valuable potassium, as is often the case with

prescription diuretic drugs.(4)

Ginkgo

Ginkgo is among the oldest living species on earth and has been used

extensively as a medicinal agent worldwide for centuries. Today, it is the

most frequently prescribed medicinal herb in Europe. Ginkgo has been the

subject of hundreds of scientific studies that have reported positive

effects in a wide range of health areas. Its application in the treatment of

edema centers on its potential ability to enhance the circulatory system and

improve blood flow.(5)

Horse Chestnut

Horse Chestnut is best known for its use in the treatment of edema, as well

as a disorder known as venous insufficiency. In the case of edema support,

studies suggest that horse chestnut may reduce leakage of fluids from the

capillaries while promoting overall circulatory health.(6, 7) What's more,

the key compounds present in horse chestnut may act as an anti-inflammatory.