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Would you believe that I once suffered from pitting edema so badly that I could press into my ankle and leave a visible dent?
At the time, I wasn’t old. I wasn’t on medication. But something was deeply wrong — and I didn’t know it yet.
In old photos, my face looked round, almost bloated. What I didn’t realize then was that this wasn’t just a cosmetic issue. A round, puffy face can be a sign of underlying blood sugar problems. And in my case, those sugar problems were causing a host of health issues, including chronic swelling in my legs and ankles.
If you’re dealing with swelling in your lower legs, ankles, or feet — also called edema — don’t panic. You may have been told it’s a kidney issue, a heart issue, a liver problem, or that you’re simply eating too much sodium. While those things can be factors, I’ve learned there’s another, far more common cause — and the good news is, it’s easy to fix.
Let me break down exactly what’s going on in your body — and how to reverse it quickly, safely, and without risky medications or diuretics.
First, What Is Edema?
Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by fluid trapped in your body’s tissues — often in the lower legs, feet, or ankles. It can feel tight, heavy, or even painful. And in severe cases, pressing on the skin can leave a lasting dent (pitting).
The causes often listed online include:
