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Why Can't I Get Rid Of Pedal Edema Despite Changing My Diet?
Question: I had a swollen ankle (Edema) problem, I went to my Dr (my lab tests blood, urine & liver tests all came clean) & he told me to eat less salt & exercise. and i still have the problem, i recently read online that consuming a lot of raw fruit & vegetables also could cause edema & i do eat a lot of raw fruits & vegetables could that be the reason why i didn't got rid of the edema?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be related to fruits
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Its unlikely to be related to fruits, as these do not have very striking effect on edema. This usually occurs due to excess salt retention by kidneys which is the most common reason in most of the patients, but other causes should be ruled out. Now, since your blood tests are normal, you should get one echo done to rule out heart as a cause for edema.
I guess you don't have any prominent veins over legs and you don't have job which needs prolonged standing. If yes, then you should also get venous Doppler of lower limb done to rule out venous insufficiency.
In treatment, along with low salt diet, you should have low diuretics like torsemide 5 mg which will remove excessive salt and water from the body out. Also, keep legs elevated as much as possible. Also, get bp checked once if not done.
Hope this helps you and get back if you have any doubts.
Unlikely to be related to fruits
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Its unlikely to be related to fruits, as these do not have very striking effect on edema. This usually occurs due to excess salt retention by kidneys which is the most common reason in most of the patients, but other causes should be ruled out. Now, since your blood tests are normal, you should get one echo done to rule out heart as a cause for edema.
I guess you don't have any prominent veins over legs and you don't have job which needs prolonged standing. If yes, then you should also get venous Doppler of lower limb done to rule out venous insufficiency.
In treatment, along with low salt diet, you should have low diuretics like torsemide 5 mg which will remove excessive salt and water from the body out. Also, keep legs elevated as much as possible. Also, get bp checked once if not done.
Hope this helps you and get back if you have any doubts.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I tried your theory on standing for too long, during my metro ride from work to home i stand close to 40 minutes and both my ankles and upper part of my legs were swollen, come to think of it it may have triggered it in the first place. What is the diagnosis & is it serious? what o you recommend i should do next to get rid of the swelling?
And it went away once i get home and took some rest.
Sorry once again i have my bp checked & it's 129/77.
Thank you!
And it went away once i get home and took some rest.
Sorry once again i have my bp checked & it's 129/77.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
No, usually not serious
Detailed Answer:
okay. Usually, any kind of edema may worsens with standing, but in such case we have to rule out venous insufficiency as well.
Initially, you should get it echo done to rule out cardiac dysfunction then venous Doppler of lower limb for venous insufficiency. Initially, in all types of edema, we start on medicins like torsemide which respond to this. In later stages of venous insufficiency, patients may need minor surgery.
So discuss with your doctor regarding echo, venous Doppler and torsemide. All the best.
No, usually not serious
Detailed Answer:
okay. Usually, any kind of edema may worsens with standing, but in such case we have to rule out venous insufficiency as well.
Initially, you should get it echo done to rule out cardiac dysfunction then venous Doppler of lower limb for venous insufficiency. Initially, in all types of edema, we start on medicins like torsemide which respond to this. In later stages of venous insufficiency, patients may need minor surgery.
So discuss with your doctor regarding echo, venous Doppler and torsemide. All the best.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
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