[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Recs for swollen feet remedies?

[Perdita Granger]

On Sat, 19 Feb 2005 23:12:33 -0000, Bunniqula Mail <bunniqula at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thanks for the various suggestions!  I'll look into them.  It seems a
> soft wrap, massaging, and elevating the feet has helped a little over
> the days, but I'd like to apply this during working hours as well.  As
> for seeing a doctor, I'm not about to keel over (cranky folk take
> longer to kill), so I'm still okay for now. {g}

Juli already mentioned heart failure...the longer that goes untreated,
the more the heart loses contractility, and we're talking *permanent*
change here, not just something that will recover as soon as you go on
meds.  The other major differential here is that it's due to diabetes.
 That's also one that can cause permanent long-term damage, moreso the
longer it goes untreated, including stuff like nerve damage and
cataracts.

That said, one of the best ways to prevent or treat early diabetes,
albeit the one most people hate the most to hear, is the dreaded "diet
and exercise."  It's about the only thing that's actually *proven* to
work, again and again, consistently.  If your situation isn't likely
to change in the near future, and you're not likely to be able to see
a doctor in the next few months, then please keep that in mind. 
*hugs*  Try checking out "The South Beach Diet" from the library, that
does a good job explaining what's good and bad to eat.  When my sister
had edema in her feet, she found swimming was great exercise, so if
you can find a pool you can get access to, I'd recommend that; if not,
leg weights were her second choice.

I've had two family members with that kind of problem, so if you'd
like to discuss this more in email, feel free!  I'm a vet so I'm good
at interpreting technical medical stuff for friends and relations when
they get into researching their conditions, too, even if I'm not
allowed to diagnose or treat humans. ;-)  Just let me know if I can
help.


-Hermione's Sister
Art is not necessary, but it's indispensable.