The accumulation of excess fluid in any part of the body is referred to as edema. When water gets retained in the lower legs it causes the swelling of tissues, mainly in the ankles, calves and feet, and this is called peripheral edema. This condition is caused when the blood vessels and capillaries that are present in a specific area, are unable to pump the fluid back into the blood stream. As a result, the fluids start collecting around the surrounding tissues and joints. One of the most common reasons that this happens is due to a completely sedentary lifestyle. However medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, heart and lung disorders and kidney disorders could also cause peripheral edema.
Here are a few things you could try out to deal with the problem. Reduce your salt intake by avoiding foods that are rich in it - hotdogs, pizzas, burgers and other such fast foods. Due to their high salt content, the fluid released, remains in the body till the kidneys get a chance to flush them out, which is usually at least 24 hours. Exercise religiously as it has been proven to reduce water retention. This is because the body flushes out water and salt, through sweat when you exercise. Exercise also increases circulation and thereby prevents water retention. Swimming is also recommended as a cure for peripheral edema. The water pressure in the pool forces out the extra water present in the tissues and these fluids are then transported to the kidneys for excretion.
Start drinking a lot of water. The movement of water through the bladder and kidneys helps in diluting the urine. It is much easier for our kidneys to get rid of diluted urine and the salt in it. However stick to just plain water as juices and sodas have a high salt content. Herbal teas in addition, are also a good remedy due to their slightly diuretic nature (increases the rate of urination). Parsley for example is a good natural diuretic. Add 2 teaspoons of dried parsley leaves to a cup of boiling water and let it sit for a few minutes. This can be had 2-3 times a day. Mustard oil too is an excellent solution for edema. Warm a little mustard oil and massage it gently on your legs. Alternately you could soak mustard seeds in water for half an hour, followed by an application of the solution to your legs and feet. If you do not have mustard oil then apple cider vinegar can be used as a supplement. This will also help in getting rid of the excess fluid.