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Last Reply:

Edema of extremities

kayla_mess posted:

Hi, I am a nursing student and stumbled upon a question regarding edema of the extremities. I would like to know which is the better for treating edema symptoms: warm compress or cold compress. I would think that a warm compress would make symptoms worse b/c of vasodilation, however a textbook says that a warm compress helps edema. Can anyone explain why that is? Thanks!
Kayla

1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Edema of extremitiesHi, I am a nursing student and stumbled upon a question regarding edema of the extremities. I would like to know which is the better for treating edema symptoms: warm compress or cold compress. I would think that a warm compress would make symptoms worse b/c of vasodilation, however a textbook says that a warm compress helps edema. Can anyone explain why that is? Thanks! Kayla

CardiostarUSA1 responded:

Hi Kayla:

I know that when my eldery mom has had occurrences of edema, specifically in the ankle/foot/leg, be it from diastotic dysfunction (diastolic heart failure), cellulitis or venous insufficiency, one of the treatments almost always involved (as recommended by her doctors) was warm compresses, or sometimes, just lightly placing a warm rag over the affected area(s) for about an hour several times a day, and sometimes using a hearting pad.

Leg Swelling

http://www.freemd.com/leg-swelling/overview.htm

Leg Edema

http://www.footsmart.com/leg-circulation-leg-edema.aspx

I hope you go on to become a great nurse.

Take care,

CardioStar*

WebMD member (since 8/99)

-

-

WebMD/WebMD forums does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Report This| Share this:Edema of extremitiesHi Kayla: I know that when my eldery mom has had occurrences of edema, specifically in the ankle/foot/leg, be it from diastotic dysfunction (diastolic heart failure), cellulitis or venous insufficiency, one of the treatments almost always involved (as recommended by her doctors) was warm compresses, or sometimes, just lightly placing a warm rag over the affected area(s) for about an hour several times a day, and sometimes using a hearting pad. Leg Swelling <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.freemd.com/leg-swelling/overview.htm">http://www.freemd.com/leg-swelling/overview.htm</a> Leg Edema <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.footsmart.com/leg-circulation-leg-edema.aspx">http://www.footsmart.com/leg-circulation-leg-edema.aspx</a> I hope you go on to become a great nurse. <img src="http://img.webmd.com/community/images/smile.gif" align="top" border="0"> Take care, CardioStar* WebMD member (since 8/99) - - WebMD/WebMD forums does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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