Edema or Water Retention Facts:
What is Edema?
It is the retention of liquid or water under the skin or any cavities of the human body that is beyond the normal level. It is also known as dropsy or hydropsy. There are two types: the generalized edema and organ-specific edema.
- The generalized edema affects the whole body and could be attributed to cardiac arrest or liver failure. The failure of the heart leads to the bloating of the lungs and the inability of the liver to function leads to non-release of protein through urine.
- Organ-specific edemas are inflammations of specific organs like the lymphatic system, lungs, and even the brain. The most common is the inflammation of the feet and fingers, which is brought about by problems related to the heart, endocrine system, and hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries.
What are the contributory conditions to this water retention problem?
Five medical conditions are said to contribute to this inflammation:
- Increase in hydrostatic pressure
- Lowering in oncotic pressure in the blood vessels
- Rise in the permeability of blood vessels
- Lymphatic abnormalities
- Change in water retention capacity of the tissues
Causes of water retention:
- Poor diet that is composed of either too much salt or too much sugar ushers this aberration.Individuals who eat food with too much salt such as hot dogs, pizza, and pickles have higher water retention. Over consumption of sugar raises the level of hormone insulin.
- Medication for hypertension and constipation could also result to it. There are even cases where oral contraceptives such as birth control pills and medicines that are part of menopausal hormonal therapy end have edema as side effect.
- The hot weather also contributes to water retention because the body tissues are slow in removing fluids. Women, with decreased progesterone and those who are in their menopause, have high water retention. Pregnant females too are prone to edema.
Other Causes:
- Those affecting the kidneys
- Weak vein valves of the legs
- Gout where joints swell
- Heart failures
- Liver diseases such as cirrhosis
- Malignant lymph edema
- Hypothyroidism
- Arthritis
Prevention or remedy water retention
- Move a lot. It would be most beneficial to go swimming because water pressure forces liquid to flow out of the body. Exercise daily with specific routines and walk a lot while doing chores. This will help the lungs, liver, and kidney too.
- Modify the daily diet to include more water intake, drinking of herbal tea, and elimination of the foods that are high in salt or sugar. Prefer to eat fruits, vegetables, and as much as possible control the intake of carbohydrates.
Seemingly harmless and often neglected edema can be a debilitating condition if not tackled at the onset. The complexity of this condition, demands prompt evaluation and effective management. Advances in the science of healing with natural medicines have now made it possible to manage this condition and its underlying causes effectively and safely. Biogetica offers effective combination of homeopathic remedies, herbs and sarcodes (LHD Pro, T13) that have natural diuretic properties, which help maintain the fluid balance in the system. The excretory organs like the kidneys are coaxed by them into optimal functioning to maintain an electrolyte balance. Adequate lymphatic drainage is ensured to avoid any unwanted accumulation in the body. Lasting relief with safe natural therapies is one of the most effective ways of edema treatment.