Swelling ( Edema ) Symptoms, Causes, Natural Treatment

Water and swelling

Did you know that 55 to 60 percent of your body weight is water? Water moves throughout the body from one point to another. It moisturizes your tissues and exists inside and outside your cells. Water is also vital for your bones, joints, spinal cord, and brain. Sometimes, however, too much water builds up in the tissues and causes swelling in the arms and legs. This is referred to as peripheral edema. It arises from different elements with varying degrees of importance. In some people, peripheral edema will go away on its own; It’s just passing. For others, however, a serious – sometimes deadly – medical condition is a cause for great concern.

What is peripheral edema?

Peripheral edema describes swelling of the legs and arms. This is the result of fluid buildup in your tissues creating a heavy, bloated, even painful area of the body. Your body works to ensure that your cells retain adequate water content. Automatically matches water loss with intake. It helps keep the total electrolyte and water content in the blood stable. But certain medical disorders or circumstances can lead to the accumulation of too much fluid in the tissues and obvious edema. Usually in your lower limbs, because there is more pressure in these places, there is swelling and tightness of the skin when the capillaries in your blood vessels begin to release fluid into your tissues.

Signs and symptoms of edema

The cause of your swelling determines what symptoms you will have. You will usually feel warmth to the touch and swelling that stretches your skin. You might find that the swelling varies with gravity. Therefore, it might seem heavier while standing than when you hold your legs or other limb in an elevated position. You may have swelling that leaves holes or no holes. If you have edema that leaves a hole when pressing on the swollen area,it is perforated edema. It is usually due to too much sodium in the body, standing or sitting for too long, or the pressure of your body weight. On the contrary, edema without dimples does not leave any trace when you press your finger into it. Problems with the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys can lead to this more serious disorder.

Usually, the most common indicators and symptoms of peripheral edema consist of two:
feeling of heaviness in your limb, either arm or leg
dent—that is, swelling and puffiness—leaving a dent with your finger when you press on the area.
skin that seems warm and tight
difficulty moving the joints surrounding the affected area
Tension and discomfort around the affected area
a feeling of pressure around the affected area that could be related to pressure on the veins of your legs

What are the causes of swelling?

Many disorders or circumstances can lead to edema. Sometimes the cause is a benign case of water retention. It can also arise from a chronic, severe illness that must be treated immediately. Several causes and risk factors for the occurrence of peripheral edema are separated here:

Water retention: Temporary swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, and face is the result of water retention or storage in the body and accumulation in the tissues. You can get this due to too much sodium intake. Sodium remains in the body and binds to water. Sitting or standing in one position for too long and hormonal changes during a woman’s menstrual cycle or pregnancy also affect water retention. The uterus of a pregnant woman strains the main blood vessel in charge of returning blood from the legs to the heart. This pressure can allow fluids to enter her tissue, leading to edema of the feet, ankles, and legs.

Inflammation of the tissues in the legs can lead to swelling. Allergies, trauma (such as a broken bone or ankle sprain), infection or wound on the leg, arthritis, gout, or cellulitis can all be responses to inflammation.

Some medications can trigger edema either by disrupting the body’s salt-water balance or worsening kidney failure. Medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), insulin, steroid treatment, high blood pressure medications, all of which can cause this problem.

Low levels of protein in the blood:
When the blood lacks albumin — a protein produced by the liver — fluid escapes more easily from the blood vessels. Low levels of protein in your blood can be caused by malnutrition or health disorders such as liver and kidney diseases that affect protein synthesis in the body.

Vein problems
Your ankles and feet swell when venous insufficiency occurs – a condition in which the veins do not carry enough blood to the feet and then back to the heart. Blood collects in your legs and forces fluid from your blood vessels into nearby tissue. In people over 50 years of age, especially women, this is the most common reason for leg edema. Thrombosis may be indicated by edema. The slowness of blood flow leads to its development and results in a blood clot. Varicose veins can also lead to peripheral edema. These follow due to blood clumps in the legs or slow blood flow.

Kidney disease
Peripheral edema can be due to the inability of the kidneys to eliminate enough sodium and water from the body, thus putting a strain on the blood vessels.

Congestive heart failure
If the heart weakens to pump blood throughout the body, it will accumulate in front of the heart and put a strain on your veins. This can allow fluid to leak into nearby tissue. Either the abdomen or legs expand from that leaking fluid.

Lung diseases

Your legs and feet can swell if your body reacts to a certain medical condition, and the pressure in your lungs and heart rises a lot. Major lung diseases include emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis can cause this. Alternatively, it can happen if you have congestive heart failure and your heart lacks the strength to pump back blood from your lungs. While the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain work together to control body fluid levels, hormones are often released to retain or supply more fluid when one organ is forced to work harder due to a medical condition. Pulmonary edema is a condition of fluid accumulation in the lungs. Water is thus collected inside the air sacs of the lungs. Breathing can be quite difficult when pulmonary edema occurs.

Lymphedema is a condition in which the lymphatic system suffers damage and the body cannot adequately remove fluids. This could produce edema without holes in the legs or arms. After surgeries, including lymph node surgery, mastectomy, and radiation treatment, lymphatic system disorders can occur. It can also be caused by obesity or venous insufficiency.

Liver diseases
Ascites can be a consequence of these. This results in gastric edema. Ascites is a consequence of liver diseases such as cirrhosis that causes excessively low protein levels and liver congestion. This allows fluid to leak into the abdomen and puts a strain on the blood vessels.

What are the most important minerals and vitamins to eliminate swelling?

1.Potassium

Potassium is one of the most important elements in the body. As an electrolyte, it has the task of maintaining the correct voltage on cell membranes and transmitting electrical impulses between cells. This means that it controls the work of muscles, including the heart, and is responsible for every heartbeat. By participating in the process of building amino acids and proteins, it is also responsible for the proper process of building muscle and muscle mass, and due to magnesium antagonism, for proper muscle tone.

Potassium also helps eliminate excess fluid from the body, which is especially important when sodium intake is too high (as it is in modern society), since one of the causes of excessive sodium intake is fluid retention and edema of the limbs. As a sodium antagonist, potassium regulates the amount of water, reduces swelling and at the same time lowers blood pressure. By controlling the balance of water and acid-base balance, it helps maintain homeostasis throughout the body.

Hypokalemia and swelling

The absorption of potassium occurs in the small intestine, and the main organs that maintain a constant concentration are the kidneys. Only 8% of potassium is excreted through the digestive tract. However, this value increases in patients with renal failure. Too much potassium that is eliminated from the body causes a deficiency, i.e. hypokalemia. Hypokalemia is the main indication for potassium supplementation. However, people with other diseases may also benefit from adding this element. Swollen legs, constant sleepiness, headaches, tremors in the calves or thighs, mood swings, and irregular heartbeats can mean that you are not getting enough potassium in your diet.

What are the health benefits of potassium and what problems can arise?

• IT WORKS TOGETHER WITH SALTS IN THE REGULATION OF SALTS IN THE BODY (POTASSIUM ACTS INSIDE THE CELLS WHILE SODIUM ACTS OUTSIDE THE CELLS)
  -IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF THE HEART
  -NERVE AND MUSCLE FUNCTION SUFFERS IF THE RATIO OF SALT AND POTASSIUM IN THE BODY IS NOT NORMAL
• DIABETES (HIGH BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS) CAUSES THE LOSS OF POTASSIUM FROM THE BODY
• MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STRESS, DIARRHEA CAUSES THE LOSS OF POTASSIUM FROM THE BODY
  -STIMULATES THE FLOW OF OXYGEN TO THE BRAIN
  -REDUCES THE RISK OF HEART AND BRAIN DISEASE
  -DETOXIFIES THE BODY
  -REDUCES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
  -REDUCES ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
  -ALCOHOL, COFFEE, SUGARS, DIURETICS REMOVE POTASSIUM FROM THE BODY
  -DIURETICS, CORTICOSTEROIDS, ANTACIDS, INSULIN, LAXATIVES… REDUCE POTASSIUM LEVELS

1. IT WORKS TOGETHER WITH SALT IN THE REGULATION OF SALTS IN THE BODY (POTASSIUM ACTS INSIDE THE CELLS WHILE SODIUM ACTS OUTSIDE THE CELLS)

2. STIMULATES THE WORK OF THE HEART

Potassium is absolutely essential for heart health and plays a central role in regulating your heart rate to ensure that your heart is working efficiently. In fact, if you have heart rhythm problems, potassium deficiency could easily play a role. Studies show that even minute changes in potassium levels may be associated with a higher risk of slow or fast heart rate, which can increase the risk of even more serious heart problems.

3. PREVENTS MUSCLE CRAMPS

One of the main benefits of eating foods high in potassium is the reduction of muscle cramps and improved muscle strength. Muscle weakness, muscle pain, and muscle cramps are common side effects of low potassium levels. This is especially common when athletes are dehydrated and don’t consume enough potassium-rich foods before and after exercise. Not only that, potassium can also be especially useful for treating PMS cramps.

4. LOWERS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

According to a recently updated publication from Harvard Medical School, “the average American diet brings in too much sodium and too little potassium,” which is highly counterproductive when it comes to discouraging high blood pressure. This is because potassium, combined with other minerals such as calcium and magnesium, prevents fluid from accumulating in cells. The accumulation of fluid inside the cells is what raises blood pressure and can result in heart palpitations, narrowed arteries, scarring and poor circulation. Studies show that a diet rich in potassium, especially potassium from fruits and vegetables, may help lower blood pressure. This is especially true if an increase in potassium foods is not accompanied by an increase in foods high in sodium.

5. REDUCES THE RISK OF STROKE

One of the main benefits of potassium is its ability to promote heart health and reduce the risk of stroke. Several observational studies have actually revealed that those with high potassium levels experience a lower risk of stroke. The risk of ischemic stroke is especially lower in consumers with high potassium. Interestingly, a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association even showed that consuming at least 3,500 milligrams of potassium each day was associated with a lower risk of stroke.

6. REDUCES CELLULITE

Fluid retention is one of the main potential causes of cellulite. Unfortunately, most people consume too much sodium and not nearly enough potassium. Sodium brings nutrients to your cells, while potassium helps flush excess waste out of your cells. For this reason, if you reduce your sodium intake and start consuming potassium-rich foods, you could potentially help reduce the appearance of cellulite.

7.PROTECTS AGAINST OSTEOPOROSIS

Research has found a direct link between bone density and increased dietary potassium intake. Potassium citrate and bicarbonate in particular are two potassium salts found naturally in potassium-rich foods, and a recent study reveals that these potassium salts may actually improve your bone health and ward off osteoporosis. A 2015 study published in the journal Osteoporosis International found that high consumption of potassium salts significantly reduced urinary excretion of both acid and calcium. Why is this significant? Because potassium salts actually help the bones not to reabsorb acid and also to maintain the vital mineral content. This means that eating more high-potassium foods can potentially help preserve bones and prevent serious bone-related health problems like osteoporosis.

7. PROMOTES MUSCLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Your body actually requires potassium in order to process and use the carbohydrates you consume. As a child or adult, you also need potassium to build protein and muscle. If you’re younger in age and your body is still growing, potassium helps ensure that your growth continues at a normal, healthy rate.

8.PROMOTES KIDNEY HEALTH

In healthy individuals, low potassium levels can inhibit the ability of the kidneys to reabsorb calcium. High levels of calcium in the kidneys can result in kidney stones.
However, people with kidney failure should not consume too much potassium, as this could have a negative impact. In this case, the doctor will recommend how much potassium to include in the diet.

9. BOOSTS METABOLISM

Potassium helps in the metabolic processing of various nutrients such as fats and carbohydrates. Thus, it is of great value in extracting energy from the nutrients that are consumed. Detailed studies conducted in Denmark have shown that this mineral is also an integral part of protein synthesis, which affects tissue regeneration, cell growth and overall balanced metabolism.

10.REDUCES ANXIETY AND STRESS

Potassium is of great importance for people suffering from undesirable mental conditions such as anxiety and stress. It is considered a powerful stress breaker and therefore ensures effective mental performance. Anxiety and stress are very detrimental to other parts of health, and any bonus from things like potassium is considered a good idea if you suffer from chronic stress. This mineral can help regulate various hormones in your body, including stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, excessive amounts of which can be harmful to the body.

11.HELPS DETOXIFY THE BODY

12.REDUCES ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

What foods are high in potassium?

These are: BEETROOT, BLACK BEANS, EDAMAME, BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CHARD, ORGANIC TOMATO SAUCE, WATERMELON, SPINACH, BROCCOLI, SWEET POTATOES, BANANAS, SALMON, PEAS, SARDINES, GRAPEFRUIT, ORGANIC MILK, ORGANIC BEEF

2.B vitamins

If you are deficient in B vitamins in your body, especially b1, b5, b6. You are at risk of developing swelling. Vitamin B5 is directly related to edema. One of the primary functions of this vitamin is to excrete excess fluid. Deficiency also results in symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, and muscle cramps. B6 is another vitamin linked directly to heart and circulatory health. The failure of the walls of the heart and blood vessels to maintain the right amount of pressure results in fluid retention.

3.Vitamin C and swelling

Vitamin C – Contains many antioxidants that fight free radicals and reduce swollen feet and other types of swelling of edema. Researchers say that people who take or ingest a higher amount of vitamin C can reduce inflammation by 45%. The best foods for vitamin C include oranges, grapefruit, broccoli, brussel sprouts, green and red bell peppers, potatoes, lemons, papayas, strawberries, and kiwi.

4. Vitamin D and swelling

Vitamin D – Vitamin D, B6 and Calcium help in the excretion of fluid that the body retains. Insufficiency levels of vitamin D can cause inflammation and swelling. The best way to get vitamin D. to the beach! Other ways to get vitamin D include eating sardines, salmon, cod, tuna, mushrooms, oysters, milk, or other fortified beverages (orange juice, soy milk, almond milk), shellfish, mussels, and egg yolks.

Tea to remove swelling

Parsley leaf tea
Parsley is a good source of flavonoids, carotenoids, ascorbic acid and tocopherols
-prevents kidney stones
Apigenin, a flavonoid in parsley, has been shown to block the growth and spread of cancer cells
-helps regulate menstruation
-prevents diabetes

PARSLEY TEA RECIPE:

250 ML BOILED WATER
1/4 CUP DRIED PARSLEY LEAF

Boil water. Bring 1 cup (250 ml) of purified water to a boil using a teapot or small skillet. Rinse 1/4 cup (60 ml) of fresh parsley leaves under cold, running water. Pat the sheet dry with clean paper towels. Either roughly chop the parsley or leave it whole. Chopping or gently crushing parsley in your hand can help release some of its natural oils, so it can result in a stronger tea.
Steep the parsley for 5 to 10 minutes. Place parsley leaves on the bottom of one cup. Pour hot water over the leaves, then let the tea steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
Change the steep weather according to your personal taste. Parsley tea may seem very bitter, and the flavor becomes stronger as you steep it longer.
Strain the leaves. Pour the tea through a fine mesh tea strainer. Collect the liquid tea in a separate cup of tea and discard the leaves.
Enjoy. Drink parsley tea immediately to enjoy the best taste. You can sweeten the tea or leave it unsweetened.
Consider using raw sugar or locally sourced honey if you decide to sweeten your tea.

This is my information about swelling… Visit the mariolab youtube channel and find dozens of my more videos about swelling and natural healing!
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