Edema

31 yr old healthy female, very active.  In nursing school.  Develop lower leg edma about a year ago.  Had a doppler done EKG, as well as Lasix given.  Im average weight, I eat healthy I dont add any salt to my diet. I run, walk and do pilates.  I do all the things I can at home and still no improvement.  Im concerned when I start working as a Nurse 12 hours on my feet.  No family hx of heart disease.  At times my leg feels heavy and I get a little tired, it tingles when I elevate my foot.  I cant see my doctor until mid June.   Any feedback would be great.

[leti324]

I have had edema for about 6 years and was actually just diagnosis with it.  I have brown spots on the front of my lower legs and I am about 50 pounds over weight.  What is your suggestion on how I can get the swelling down so that the brown sopts can go away.  The brown spots come and go only on my left leg but on my right leg the brown spots never go away.  I also feel some pain some times on the bottom of my feet what do you think that is from?

[SassyLassie]

Is it regular edema or pitting edema? Pitting is when you press on an area and it stays depressed for a few minutes.

In non-pitting edema, which usually affects the legs or arms, pressure that is applied to the skin does not result in a persistent indentation. Non-pitting edema can occur in certain disorders of the lymphatic system such as lymphedema, which is a disturbance of the lymphatic circulation that may occur after a mastectomy, lymph node surgery, or congenitally. Another cause of non-pitting edema of the legs is called pretibial myxedema, which is a swelling over the shin that occurs in some patients with hyperthyroidism. Non-pitting edema of the legs is difficult to treat. Diuretic medications are generally not effective, although elevation of the legs periodically during the day and compressive devices may reduce the swelling.

Some things that might cause edema are:

Eating too much salt
Sunburn
Some medicines
Standing or walking a lot when the weather is warm
Prolonged standing
Long airplane flights or automobile rides
Menstrual periods (for some women)
Injury or trauma to your ankle or foot