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Meg Mangin R.N.
Research Team
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Posted: Mon Sep 25th, 2006 23:44 |
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What causes swelling?
Edema (American English) or oedema (British English), formerly known as dropsy or hydropsy, is swelling of any organ or tissue due to accumulation of excess lymph fluid, without an increase of the number of cells in the affected tissue. Edema can accumulate in almost any location in the body, but the most common sites are the feet and ankles.
Causes
This website lists the causes and home treatment of edema.
Inflammation causes edema due to increased membrane permeability by inflammatory mediators.
Swelling may be a result of changing hormones. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a hormone system that works to regulate the BP and extracellular volume in the body. Aldosterone, released by the adrenals acts on tubules in the kidneys causing them to reabsorb more sodium and H2O from urine rather than excrete it. This will cause more retention of fluid. (increase in circulating volume in the vascular system).
Fluid retention will level off as homone balance is reached. It just takes time; the amount of time depends on numerous factors ie. health, diet, ongoing bacterial die off (immunopathology directly related to function of the immune system etc).
Some medications may cause fluid retention. These include anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, (Motrin, Advil), some blood pressure medications, estrogen, and medications for diabetes called thiazolidinediones.
There are many medical conditions that can cause edema. These should not be confused with lymphedema. Lymphedema is caused by damage to the lymphatic system.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema (click here)
Th1 inflammation can damage the lymphatic system. This article from Lymphoedema Association of Australia states:
"...if the lymphatic system is damaged or blocked, protein continues to enter the tissues from the blood capillaries in the normal way, and a build-up occurs in the tissues the lymphatics should be draining....
To some extent, the protein is also removed by some of the cells in the tissues (e.g. the macrophages). These assist the lymphatic system and can partly take over its role if it is blocked. However in lymphoedema, the chronic excess protein causes these cells also to cease to function...."
The excess protein also acts as a stimulus for chronic inflammation. One of the results of this is the formation of much excess fibrous tissue. The chronic inflammation causes more blood capillaries to form and to be dilated. This makes the limb feel hot.
Waking with pins/needles or numbness in extremities is thought to be due lymphatic system inflammation and reduced lymph circulation when in a prone position. Movement resolves the sensation quickly.
http://www.lymphoedema.org.au/lymphoed.html
When lymphoedema first occurs it will pit if pressed with a thumb. It gradually becomes larger and harder; it no longer pits. If lymphoedema lasts for some years, the swelling gets worse, and skin changes occur. There is loss of hair and alterations to the nails.
Angioedema
Swelling around the eyes and eyelids (periorbital edema) may be due to hypothryoidism. Facial puffiness may be due to angioedema which may occur after infections or illness (including autoimmune disorders).
Congestive Heart Failure
If you have any sudden and unexplained edema, it is imperative that you consult your physician and have the specific cause diagnosed and treated. This website describes the difference between lymphedema and edema caused by Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
Edema due to CHF is often treated with diuretics. Folks on the MP should avoid diuretics that cause potassium retention or are hard on the kidneys. For that reason, we suggest the use of furosemide (Lasix) as needed.
Treatment
Be mindful, that increased swelling may be due to the immunopathology of recovery from Th1 inflammatory disease. Any symptom that correlates with MP therapy may be due to immunopathology. Reducing IP should be your first response. To reduce IP symptoms, please see My immune system reaction is too strong. What should I do?
It's also okay to use the home remedies described in the first link. If you are concerned about increased swelling at any time, consult your doctor as soon as possible, especially if it is accompanied by a sudden increase in shortness of breath and/or weight gain.
If you have been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, follow your doctor's instructions for palliative treatment. If your doctor prescribes a diuretic, remind him/her that thiazides are contraindicated.
Elevating your legs as high as your heart will reduce leg edema. Support hose may prevent leg edema. Here is one type.
Members' experiences
Inversion table
-I use an Inversion table periodically which seems to help me. It both moves lymph and helps aline the spine. I do not go all the way back with the movements, just a rocking and then lay at an angle comfy to me. ~Pat
Massage
-I am understand what you are describing: dry heaves in the morning after throwing up mucous, swelling in ankles and legs and more difficulty breathing in warm, humid air.
The swollen lymph node on the back of your ear may be a clue that your lymphatic system is struggling. When my lymphatic system was dealing with immunopathology, my ankle and leg would swell. Sometimes even my abdomen. And I would have more trouble breathing.
Manual lymphatic drainage is something that helped me. You may want to look into it and discuss it with your doctor. Here is information on manual lymph drainage of the leg and chest.
My experience was that the having my husband do the manual chest drainage technique made it easier for me to breathe and could stop coughing at times. It's a good one to do before going to bed and on getting up in the morning. ~Belinda
Sagging skin
-I thought I would comment on my sagging skin improvement: After two airline flights and a week of over-exertion and lots of light exposure in Nov of 2006, my legs had a lot of edema. As the swelling reduced gradually, I was left with sagging skin on my thighs. The skin was extra dry also. It drank up the regular moisturizers I applied. When talking to one of my black friends, she told me that Afro-Americans have extra dry skin normally and get ashey skin quickly if don't pay daily attention to it. I asked her what products were best and she told me to use body butter. Of course, I had to try it. There are many different products available here with 'body butter' in the name. I picked one out and began using it. Shea Body Butter, an intense moisturizer by Tree Hut.
I noticed my skin didn't need repeated applications throughout the day as I was used to doing with lotions and creams. After a couple of weeks, the strangest thing happened. When rubbing the body butter on my legs, sheets of skins began to roll off as I rubbed. Gradually, the amount of sloughing is decreasing and my saggy thighs are looking tighter too. (I don't exercise.) Still a bit loose and also note that the skin seems thickened in the thigh area above knees where the saggy skin had been the worst. ~coolbeans
Last edited on Mon Aug 25th, 2008 01:26 by Meg Mangin R.N.
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