Medicine for Foot or Ankle Edema

When your capillaries, or small blood vessels, leak fluid into the tissue surrounding them, an abnormal buildup of fluid occurs in the body, known as edema. This swelling in your feet, ankles and legs is known as peripheral edema. Standing for a long period of time leads to edema--more so in overweight people. An injury, such as a sprained ankle, also leads to edema. Pregnant women also commonly experience edema since their blood volume and fluid retention increase.

Medications

• Diuretics help your kidneys expel excess fluid from your body, reducing overall fluid volume. However, keep in mind diuretics may cause you to become dehydrated.

  Herbal diuretics can also reduce water retention. Green tea, for example, encourages urine excretion. At the same time, linden increases the production of urine. Dandelion, another natural diuretic, cleanses both the liver and the bloodstream and improves kidney function.

  Certain foods act as natural diuretics, including onions, celery, garlic, peppermint and fish oil.

  Keep in mind that as you lose fluid, you may lose essential nutrients. Ask your doctor to recommend a supplement.

  If you suffer from a nutritional deficiency, increasing the protein level in your blood will encourage your blood vessels to retain rather than leak fluid. Insulin, for example, can increase the protein level.

Home Treatment

• Wearing compression stockings, available at your local pharmacy, will help your vessels resist leaking fluid. Elevating and exercising your legs will also minimize swelling.

  Limiting your salt intake will reduce water retention.

Seek Medical Care

• If you experience edema and your legs or feet feel warm to the touch, see your doctor immediately. Additionally, see your doctor if edema presents with a fever, or if you are not excreting as much urine as you regularly do. Your doctor may take blood, perform an electrocardiogram, a chest x-ray and a urinalysis.