Edema vs Dehydration

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

This was very interesting. I suffer from bouts of edema; mainly my legs and feet. A fellow poster Vic; suggested the usual thing (like salt reduction but I use next to none and I eat very little processed food). He then suggested drinking more water to “flush” the system. Well Vic I think you were onto something.

From the May; Cdn version of Reader’s Digest (Pg 112)

“…..tones muscles and gets rid of toxins. Drink like a fish and detox at the same time. Plus, water is energizing, making you want to move. When you’re dehydrated you feel sluggish and tired…… [A water shortage makes the body cling to every last drop, and that shows up as swollen fee, legs, hands and eyelids, inflating your weight by as much as 5 to 15 pounds! Ironically you should drink more water, not less, to beat the bloat".

Cheers e’one!

[Vic]

Jackie -- Thanks for the research post. That's a very interesting blurb from RD. It sure is good to hear it confirmed and now I can drink like a fish. This should be a big help to our fellow COPD'rs since we are quite prone to edema. I'm having a bout of it right now as Isit here and type this. I had Virginia Ham last night for dinner and had some this morning for breakfast, ergo...ballooned feet. Must drink more water and stay close to the loo all day. -- Vic

[John]

that makes scence thank you Jackie

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Hey Guys....gotta tell ya though....I think "cheating" re: your love for Viginia Ham Vic; ....is exactly that "cheating!!!!

[Kath]

Hey Jackie, I too will try getting on the water train. My edema has been worse the past few days. I know the pred. causes it but don't know why it would all of a sudden get worse. I'm bad to not drink enough water and drink too many cokes.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

I think we all forget how much fluid we can loose simply by breathing and the "old school" of thinking is to drink less, or add a diuretic.

[maryaz]

Good timing for this one. I am going to have to watch this closer. In our heat we have to really watch dehydration. I always have water but often may not drink enough. I felt swollen recently but eat lil salt, almost none extra. Thanks,

[Luke]

Thanks for that information Jackie and Vic. It was not in the U.S. version of RD that I could find.

I have the very same problem. Even if I am very careful w/ sodium intake my feet swell every few days and I have to take lasix. I don't drink enough water by a long shot, but I am going to drink more. It makes sense to me.

It would be a big service if you posted that in COPD information and the other COPD boards.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Sounds like a good idea Luke; and I will....we can all benefit when we learn new things worthy of sharing.

BTW; have you taken the poll here? If not; please do; and thanks.....Jackie NS

[the bear]

Because I have lived through about 5 or 6 hospitalizations for conjestive heart failure I know first hand just how dangerous bad habits are for anyone. I used to drink beer, smoke, loved sweet stuff and salt. Heavy on salt. After diagnosis of COPD, a heart bypass (they only did one artery) and only had a 15% chance of coming out alive. That was in November 2005. I am still here. Salt intake almost nil, sugar nil, diabetes was a factor but blood sugar levels are good now. I also have trouble with fluid retention and am on laxix daily 1 and a half 40 mgs daily.
But in spite of water retention it is said that every cell in your body requires water and you should drink one half (!/2) of your weight in ounces daily. For me tipping the scales at 200 #'s (two hundred pounds) I should drink about 100 ounces of water daily.
I try to make sure I get to 10 eight ounce glasses daily 80 oz.
This is an easy way to figure how much water you should ingest.
If you weigh 150 lbs 75 oz etc. 100 lbs 50 oz. As ever, hugz, bear.

[cocojax]

If we start the exercise thing, we should make that part of it, start maybe with one bottle of water a day and work up. I tried a lot of different types of water, as I used to take a bottle to rehab with me. The nestle water for me tastes the best, and often comes on sale..