Edema Online Support Group

I am not a doctor or any kind of medical or biological professional! I’m just your basic curious guy who sometimes has too much time on my hands! I like to explore things around me and then try to help out others (after I’ve helped myself) who might also have an interest in the subjects I explore. Here is something I’ve found out about what causes edema. A word of caution: always, always, always check with your doctor before making radical changes in your diet—you could end up in worse shape if you take the wrong actions!

Most, but not all cases of edema are associated with some underlying medical condition such as heart, liver or kidney disease. When a person has a condition that causes a complication called edema, the swelling is often as a result of the body retaining too much salt, which, in turn, causes the body to retain fluids. Usually the body balances and regulates salt very well. A normal person can consume small or large quantities of salt in the diet without concern for their body accumulating too much or too little salt.

Salt comes into our systems through the food and beverages we consume. Salt is removed from our bodies by the kidneys. The kidneys control how much salt is in our system by controlling how much salt to pass in our urine. Hormonal and physical factors indicate to the kidney how much to keep and how much to pass. When our body has other underlying conditions, the blood flow to the kidneys is decreased and more salt is retained so that more fluid is built up to compensate and raise the amount of fluid in the blood. Kidney disease impairs the ability to eliminate salts, causing more salt to be retained, resulting in more fluid buildup in the body and causing edema.

When the body demonstrates that it is not eliminating a sufficient amount of salt, your doctor may place you on a sodium-restricted diet and/or prescribe some type of diuretic medicine. Diuretics work by blocking the reabsorption and retention of salt by the kidneys, thereby increasing the amount of salt and water that is eliminated in the urine.

Just thought you’d like to know! I’m going to look at treating edema next!

Dennis

The other night, being careful how much sodium I absorb...had can of green beans NO SALT ADDED on label to be SHOCKED by reading sodium content-what? 17% eegads

So per day, max should be how much ?

For last month, SUDDENLY feet are swelling-thought maybe 100% humidity and Florida temps been 90 degrees plus since April-

Wondering what else it could maybe be, but nurse friend of mine started poking told me edema.

I can no longer go to my clinic as no more sliding scale fees as i was paying $20 per doctor visit for back, hip, meds every few months-waiting on ssi-as I cannot prove any income-they always took same income verification before PLUS I get food stamps

So max sodium per day so this doesn't happen?

I wear flip flops, am overweight or undertall at 5'4" -thanks , Dennis

When my nurse friend poked me, you could see where she poked

No, my Florida home is NOT air conditioned as i cannot afford such

1 tbls = 2300mg sodium. Some people say that 2000mg sodium should be the max for a low-sodium diet but many people I know are forced to live on 1,200mg sodium. It is really hard to get to 1,200 but it is possible. You hit the nail on the head, canned vegetables and processed meats (like prepackaged sandwich meats) have a lot of sodium added in the preparation process.

Edema is usually an indicator of other issues so keep an eye on your heart and kidney issues.

Dennis

I just posted on compression socks board of what I do NOT have-

In past, I have been a saltaholic but not for the last year...

On aging board,w as told edema is sign for us oldsters and when temps are over 90 degrees

Yeah, I check this board at least daily, sometimes more often. I am a group leader of 3 different groups, including this one, here on MDJ. I do what I can.

Even tho edema may come with the territory of aging (not always true!), I would not just ignore the problem. I know you are concerned just by your posts here. Please continue to follow up with your doctors.

Compression socks are about as opposite of diabetic socks as you can get! Diabetic socks are loose fitting without being "saggy". I wear them myself. Compression socks are just like they sound and are like a very tight, heavier weight pair of woman's hose. They are designed to apply continuous (both in time and linear forms) pressure to the skin of the entire leg, preventing vast accumulation in the extremity.