Edema

Edema also known as oedema means swelling of body parts due to fluid retention . It is the accumulation of excessive serous fluids in cells or cavities of the body. It mainly affects lower body parts, mostly foot and ankles. It can slow down the healing process,increase the chances of developing skin infection, affect blood circulation and can be painful. Edema is not a disease, it only indicates that something is wrong in the body. Edema is due to an underlying in the body.

Symptoms of Edema :

• Swelling in the legs, arms, calves, ankles, feet etc.
• Slight color changes on the skin.
• Skin on the affected area stretch and shine.
• Cramps, pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Puffiness

Causes of Edema : Heart failure,anemia, kidney disease, low protein level in the blood, liver disease, malnutrition, starvation for long time,thyroid disease,weak veins, medication, pregnancy, menstrual cycles, immobility, heat and hot weather, diabetes, vena cava syndrome, prolonged bed rest, allergies.

Types of Edema :

1. According to Allopathy :  (1) Pitting edema (2) Non pitting edema
2. According to Ayurvedic : (1) Vataj edema (2) Pittaj edema (3) Kaphaj edema

Home remedies :

• Mustard oil : warm a little of mustard oil in a pan and apply on the affected part. Soak 2-3 tsp mustard seed in water and apply this solution on that area.
• Apple cider vinegar : It can removes excess fluid from our body can treat edema.
• Neem and Tea tree oil : Make a mixture  by blending some amount of tea tree oil and neem oil. The mixture can neutralize the toxicity of insect venom and can reduce edema.
• Alfalfa is a good source of important minerals, take 2000-3000 milligrams daily, in divided dose.
• Consume small amounts of buttermilk, cottage cheese and low fat yogurt.
• Flax seed oil : sprinkle this oil on your food before eating it. Very effective in facial edema.
• Keep cucumber slice on the swelling of the foot and then keep potato slice on the cucumber slice and tie the foot with a cloth. This will reduce the swelling.
• "Punarnava" ayurvedic drug which has good diuretic property that also helps reducing the edema.
• Coriander seeds : boil few tsp of coriander seeds in 2 cups of water on medium heat. Continue this on fire till it becomes half in quantity. consume the whole at a time. 
• In pregnancy related edema, you can keep your feet under the running cold water for 15 min before resting.

Do's and Don't :

• Avoid salt intake. Avoid eating packaged food.
• Carbohydrate intake per day should also be bought in control.
• Include protein rich and fat rich food in your diet.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• Avoid vegetables and fruits : They are rich in water content, so reduce the intake of it.
• Take fiber rich food more.

  Exercising : Make exercising apart of your daily routine. The morning walks are also effective as it will give you fresh air.

Some Ayurvedic Preparations :

• Punarnavasava                                
• Kumariasava
• Dashmoola kwatha
• Prisniparanyadi kashaya
• Navyasa choorna
• Punarnavadi choorna
• Sunthi ghrita
• Punarnavadi ghrita
• Chitraka ghrita
• Punarnava mandoor
• Gokshuradi guggulu
• Liv-52