Oedema (Edema)

What is oedema?

Causes of oedema

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for oedema

References

What is oedema?

Oedema (edema) is a swelling in parts of the body caused by a build-up of fluid in that area. Fluid can accumulate unnaturally in many parts of the body and in several organs, but most commonly occurs in the feet, ankles and lower legs. It is not uncommon in the hands and arms.

"Pitting edema" is when a dent remains in the swelling for minutes after pressing a finger into the swollen tissue.

Causes of oedema

• Oedema is primarily caused by a low level of potassium. A diet high in sugar depletes potassium and raises sodium. Diabetics and those with metabolic syndrome have high blood sugar levels, potassium deficiency, sodium overload, and oedema. Oedema is a classic diabetic symptom.
• Diabetes or metabolic syndrome (early diabetes).
• Heart disease.
• Kidney disease.
• Liver disease.
• Several pharmaceutical medications.
• Low-salt diet is a cause of edema, not a cure for it. (1, 2, 3)
• Pregnancy.

Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for oedema

• Eliminate sugar from your diet. For some people, this means a radical change in food purchasing habits. No more ready-made food, no fast food, no food that comes in tins, packets and boxes. They all have added sugar. It means going back to real food prepared at home with real ingredients. No sugar whatsoever in the kitchen. Also avoid all sweet fruits, and especially avoid dried fruits. You need a diet high in vegetables and low in fruits, refined grains (flour) and starches (and of course, no added sugar). No cakes, sweets, cookies and so on - just real food.
• Potassium. Fresh green vegetables are an excellent source of potassium, and the above diet of fresh no-sugar foods will help get your potassium level back to normal.
• Salt sufficiency of unrefined natural sea, rock and pan salt. Eliminate refined table salt. Use natural salts to taste.
• Citrus (lemon) bioflavonoids.

References

1. 10. Cara DC, Malucelli BE. Effect of hyperosmotic sodium chloride solution on vascular permeability and inflammatory edema in rats. Braz J Med Biol Res. 1988;21(2):281-3.

2. Worthley LI, Thomas PD. Treatment of hyponatraemic seizures with intravenous 29.2% saline. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed). 1986 Jan 18;292(6514):168-70.

3. Tarazi RC. Plasma volume is usually lower in patients with essential hypertension than in normal subjects. Hemodynamic role of extracellular fluid in hypertension. Circ Res. 1976 Jun;38(6 Suppl 2):73-83.