Edema
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- edema,
- lymphedema,
- water retention
About this treatment
Also indexed as:
Bloating, Fluid Retention, Lymphedema, Water Retention
What you need to know
Puffiness in your legs or other limbs may be caused by a buildup of excess fluid underneath the skin. What can you do to remedy water retention? According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful:
- Try a diuretic
- Pick up an herbal diuretic containing goldenrod, corn silk, horsetail, juniper, or dandelion
- Fill up on flavonoids
- Try these natural plant pigment supplements to reduce symptoms of edema associated with venous or lymphatic conditions; take 2,000 mg a day of hydroxyethylrutosides or a daily combination of diosmin (900 mg) and hesperidin (100 mg)
- Check out butcher's broom
- For edema caused by venous or lymphatic disorders, take 300 to 450 mg a day of this plant extract in combination with hesperidin and vitamin C
- Take time for a checkup
- Visit your healthcare practitioner to determine whether your edema is caused by a treatable medical condition
These recommendations are not comprehensive and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or pharmacist. Continue reading the full edema article for more in-depth, fully-referenced information on medicines, vitamins, herbs, and dietary and lifestyle changes that may be helpful.
About edema
Abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin is known as edema. This leads to a puffy appearance, often in a limb, most commonly a leg.
There are many causes of edema. In some cases, the underlying problem (for example, congestive heart failure or preeclampsia of pregnancy) must be medically treated in order for the edema to resolve. In other cases (such as chronic venous insufficiency, edema following minor trauma, or lymphedema resulting from damage to lymphatic vessels caused by surgery and other medical treatments), it is possible with both conventional and natural approaches to focus specifically on the edema. Unless edema is clearly due to minor trauma, it should never be treated until the underlying cause has been properly diagnosed by a healthcare professional. The discussion below deals only with situations in which it is safe to focus on the edema itself and not the underlying cause.
Last Review: 01-21-2009
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires February 2010.
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