Facial Edema -- is it pretty common?

[maxwells]

For as long as I can remember, I have always awakened in the morning with a terribly puffy face. My eyes are especially puffy but it is not just limited to that area. My face actually feels heavy and I feel so tired. Normally it disappears after a few hours, and cardio in the morning certainly helps. This week I have had a miserable couple of days and people have actually commented on how I look (mostly just saying I look like something is wrong/tired/upset). Does anyone else have this problem on a consistent basis?

Of course it is effected greatly by my diet. When it is not so good (ie, lots of carbs for me), I blow up like a puffer fish ;-( I'm sure it probably has something to do with sodium intake too (I'm SO bad about relying on pre-packaged/processed foods). And I guess it didn't help that this week is the dreaded TOM. But I know I must have a better diet that lots of other people and I just never see them walking around looking like a puffed-up version of themselves. Am I just really sensitive to diet and hydration levels?

I guess what I'm looking for is some advice from someone who has had this problem and who has figured out how to fix it!

Thanks,
Shonie

 

[sher]

I find when I consume alot of sodium, I wake up terribly puffy. There is a ton of sodium in prepackaged/procssed foods. Check your labels and limit or exclude table salt from your diet. Also watch alcohol intake, that really puffs me up as well! Here's a tip: if your wake up puffy squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon into a glass of water. I don't know how it works, but it seems to help. I hope these suggestions are helpful-Sher

 

[starlight6]

Had to jump in & say I agree with Sher...salt makes me puffy. Another thought...allergies. A couple of my friends have really huge problems with this & that is what their doctors are thinking.

Ruth

 

[maxwells]

Thanks Sher and Ruth --

I've decided to cut out processed foods having a high sodium content and see if that makes a difference. I never add salt to my food (don't think I own a salt shaker) and I only drink on occasion so those 2 things can't be the culprit.

I'm just so frustrated because my diet is already so limited! It seems that I keep cutting out foods because my body won't tolerate them. Can't eat dairy (hurts my stomach). Can't eat bread/pasta/rice (makes me bloated). Can't eat peanut butter (see dairy problems). Can't eat beans (I think you know why). Can't eat too many potatoes (same problem as beans). Can't eat fried foods (which works out pretty well, I guess). Don't like beef or pork. ARGGG! Pretty soon I'll just be outside munching on the lawn because that's all I can eat without having some major side-effect.

I guess I just need to accept the fact that my body wants fruits, vegetables, and lean meats in their "closest-to-natural" form. Guess that means I should probably learn how to cook...

Thanks for your advice!
Shonie

 

[starlight6]

I have to tell you Shonie, you brightened my day with a good laugh...I had a mental picture of you out on the lawn grazing! LOL

One positive aspect of your diet...the things you tolerate are not only the healthiest, but also the easiest to prepare.

If you tell me you can't eat chocolate every so often, my heart will break for you!

Ruth;-)

 

[wutherhi]

No advice, just sympathy. I'm very affected by this problem. I eat almost no processed food, veeeerrrry low sodium, and exercise regularly, but I still have it. It's much, much better, but I still have it. Now, if I were to splurge (yeah, it has happened) and eat a couple of slices of pizza and a diet 7-up, I'd be hard pressed to find my eyes before 10:00 A.M. And the worst part is trying to put makeup on puffy eyes!

Shari