Water Retention (Edema): Therapy

Therapy for edema (water retention) depends on the cause.

General measures

  • Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on existing disease.

Medical aids

  • Compression stockings have the effect of reducing the cross-section of the veins and accelerating venous return, while improving the function of the venous valves. Important. Compression stockings must be put on before getting up. Compression stockings can be used to treat the following forms of edema:
    • Lymphedema
    • Edema during pregnancy
    • Posttraumatic edema
    • Edema after surgery
    • Idiopathic edema
    • Eyelid edema, from stage II
    • Congestion states

Regular checkups

  • Regular medical checkups

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
    • Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits).
    • Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
    • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
  • Observance of the following special dietary recommendations:
    • In case of cardiac edema:
      • Reduce salt intake (< 6 g of table salt per day) and fluid intake.
    • In hypoproteinemic edema:
      • Moderate low-sodium (salt) diet (< 6 g table salt per day).
      • Ample protein intake (protein), taking into account a high biological value of proteins (1.2-1.3 g per kilogram of body weight per day).
  • Other specific dietary recommendations depending on the cause of edema (water retention).
  • Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis.
  • See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
  • Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)

  • By means of manual lymphatic drainage, the fluid accumulated in the tissue is shifted into the lymphatic system by moving the tissue in a circular motion under slight pressure and thus removed.

Training

  • Daily rest in a lying position