Treating Edema Through A Change In Diet

Edema is a condition that can affect anyone at anytime. This aliment is brought on by various medical conditions related to the organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys. The only way to cure edema is to treat the primary condition. But that does not mean that you cannot treat the condition, just that it may never go away until the underlying cause goes away, too.

Edema is a result of excess fluid that builds up in the tissues of the body. It can form anywhere on the body, including the face, eyes, hands, arms, legs and feet. As fluid is retained in the body it will cause the infected area to begin to swell up slowly like a balloon filled with water. If left untreated the infected area can continue to grow and causes the skin to stretch out of proportion. It is not uncommon to hear of growths the size of bowling balls on an infected person legs.

One of the easiest ways to treat edema is through changing your diet. Reducing your sodium intake can greatly help reduce the amount of water being retained by the body. You can use potassium chloride as a salt substitute. There are a number of no sodium and reduced sodium products available at your local grocery store. The recommended daily dosage of salt is 2000 mg for the normal person. However, with your condition you should cut this amount in half and not consume more than 1000 mg per day.

You should avoid carbonated beverage. You can drink 100% fruit juices, warm beverages like herbal teas or fresh coffees or water. The caffeine in teas and coffees will act as a diuretic to help remove excess fluid from your body. You should avoid using sugar as a sweetener. Instead you can use a teaspoon of honey.

Fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed in place of canned or frozen. Apples, bananas, grapes, citrus fruits, onions, garlic, cabbage, cucumbers and other green leafy vegetables can all help remove excess fluid from the body. Dairy products should be used in moderation, since they can increase mucus production and increase the amount of fluids being retained.