Peripheral edema is a condition which causes swelling in the lower limbs as ankles, legs and feet and it usually appears due to fluid accumulation in those parts. These condition is not painful if is not caused by some injury. The swelling mostly appears in lower body areas because of gravitation.
Elderly people are more prone to this condition and because sometimes it can be linked with some serious diseases, you need to know whether you should visit a doctor. But do not panic because most of the times it is not life-threatening.
This condition can appear due to several causes. Mostly appears due to some medications or some specific conditions like;
- standing for prolonged period of time
- being overweight
- being narrowed for long periods of time, mostly during flights or car rides
- taking some antidepressants, as MAO inhibitors or tricyclics
- taking testosterone or estrogen
- usingsome blood pressure medications
- using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- taking steroids
Some other changes in the body or usage of certain medical conditions can also cause your ankles, feet, and legs to swell.
- They are: pregnancy
- blood clot and infection of the leg
- changes during a menstrual cycle
- preeclampsia that is a condition during the pregnancy which causes high blood pressure
- injury
- venous insufficiency
- recent pelvic surgery
- organ failure (especially in the kidney, liver, or heart
- lymphedema that is a condition which causes blockages in the lymph system
- pericarditis which is a swelling of the membrane over the heart
- scarring on the liver (cirrhosis)
Apply 2 drops each of grapefruits, cypress and lemongrass essential oils diluted into 1 T. fractionated coconut oil, then massage into ankles, leg or feet and calves up to the heart. It would be much better if someone else can do this for you.
You just need 1 dozen of smooth stones that you can find at your local nursery. You can also find them in the craft and candle section in Walmart.
Take some large and shallow bowl that will be big enough for the stones and your feet as well, and put warm water and 2 drops of cypress and 2 drops of lavender essential oils. Also, you can put flower petals if you want.
After that, roll the soles of the feet very slowly over the pebbles for a couple of minutes. The feeling is like you are in heaven! Wonderful!
Reflexology is a great science that found this simple and effective remedy with stones that will not just relieve swelling, but will also benefit you in many other parts of your body.
For commonly poor circulation, particularly for the elderly and thin skin, the Geranium essential oil it fits perfectly, and can show amazing improvement if you use it regularly. Geranium will make your skin brighten and shiny as an extra bonus.
Put 10 drops Geranium to 2 T. fractionated coconut oil, and make gentle massages from your hands to your elbows, and from your feet to your knees. Geranium is considerate as one of the finest revitalizing oils that will make your skin smoother and softer.
Geranium is many times chosen as an oil of the year in many medicinal and pharmaceutic companies all over the world.