Swelling of the legs - symptoms, causes and treatment

Swelling of the legs - a phenomenon quite common. This is an increase in tissue volume due to the accumulation of fluid in the extracellular space. Edema can be localized in any part of the body, but most often it is formed on the legs - the legs and the ankle. This is due to the maximum load on the legs and the lowest position of the feet relative to the rest of the body. Puffiness of the feet always speaks of malfunctions in the body Often this can be a sign of temporary discomfort - malnutrition, pregnancy, etc. But if the swelling appears regularly and does not depend on the impact of the external environment, it is necessary to consult with a doctor. Perhaps puffiness is a symptom of a more serious illness.

How are swelling of the legs

As a rule, swelling of the legs is visible visually. First, it will be traces of the socks gums on the shin. Then the patient may feel a sense of constriction and discomfort in the usual shoes. If a woman wears sandals, she will definitely notice traces of the straps, which, as it were, have fallen into loose and soft fabric. Puffiness increases in the evening, after hard physical work or, on the contrary, after a long stay in a fixed form. Edema of the legs has recently become an office disease, because people have to sit at the computer in the same position throughout the entire working day. Puffiness also increases after sun exposure. If you have noticed swelling of the limbs, you need to follow the symptom for several days. With physiological changes, the swelling will pass in a few days. If your condition does not change, you need as soon as possible to find out the cause of the resulting edema.

Why legs swell

Swelling of the legs can be different, ranging from moderate changes in tissues, ending with serious pathologies, when the skin stretched from the edema begins to literally burst.Swelling of the legs can be caused by minor changes in lifestyle or a serious diagnosis. Let's talk about the causes of the swelling of the legs in more detail, let's start with the physiological reasons that are not associated with disruption of the organs and body systems.

1. Salt. If you ate a couple of pickles the night before, ate some salt herring, then it’s quite difficult to avoid edema. As you know, salt attracts water in large quantities. Salty food leads to swelling of the legs and arms, puffiness, bags under the eyes. As a rule, swelling in this case manifests itself in the morning.
2. Alcohol. Alcohol, as well as salt, attract and retain fluid in the body. That is why the next day after the “spree” the human face and limbs look swollen.
3. Heat. Remember that in the summer time, swelling of the legs increases. This is due to the expansion of blood vessels, when the body tries to normalize heat metabolism and does not overheat.
4. Seated and standing work. The constant presence of the legs in the same position reduces the intensity of blood circulation. As a result, the blood circulates through the body very slowly and for a long time, and the lower limbs stagnate at all. This leads to swelling of the lower leg.As noted, the legs swell from office workers who are forced to constantly work in a sitting position. Especially often the legs swell in those who like to sit cross-legged. However, even the “standing” professions also have swollen legs, because the load on the foot in this case is constant and continuous. Feet swell from hairdressers, vendors, cooks, etc.
5. Pregnancy. Edemas very often accompany pregnancy. There are several reasons for this. First, it is a hormonal adjustment of the body. During pregnancy, a huge amount of progesterone is produced, which reduces the muscular muscles of the uterus and reduces the vascular tone. The second reason for swelling of the legs during pregnancy is squeezing of large arteries and veins by the growing fetus. That is why edema most often occurs at a later stage of pregnancy. Another reason for swelling during gestation of the baby is late gestosis of pregnant women. The development of the diagnosis is fraught with proeclampsia - pathological changes in the work of the vessels. This condition is very dangerous for both women and their children.
6. PMS. Many women notice that before the start of the menstrual cycle, their weight increases slightly.This is due to the production of hormones that begin to retain fluid in the body. Before menstruation, swelling of the legs appears.
7. Footwear. Another reason for the swelling of the legs is wearing the wrong and uncomfortable shoes. High heels, too narrow vault, tugging straps can lead to compression and squeezing of important arteries and veins. This leads to stagnant processes and swelling of the legs.

As a rule, physiological edema is symmetrical and soft. Both legs and feet swell the same. If you press on the soft swollen tissue and remove your finger, then there will be a trace in the place of pressure. As a rule, some time after the rest, such swelling of the legs disappears. If they do not pass, then they are most likely associated with pathological changes in the body and indicate a medical diagnosis.

1. A heart. If the heart does not work fully, it is not able to pump a huge amount of blood in the body efficiently and in a timely manner. This leads to stagnant processes in the veins and arteries in the legs. Heart edema is symmetrical, especially manifested in the morning.
2. Buds. Direct kidney function is the elimination of excess fluid from the body.If the kidneys do not cope with this function, various renal pathologies occur, accompanied by swelling of the limbs and the whole body. The characteristic difference between renal edema and cardiological edema is that not only the legs, but also the face, the skin becomes pale in case of kidney diseases.
3. Varicose veins, thrombophlebitis. In diseases of the veins, swelling of the legs is asymmetric, as a rule, swelling is more pronounced on one leg. The tissues are quite elastic and firm, the swelling increases after standing, and weakens after raising the legs above the level of the body. Together with the swelling, the patient feels pain in the legs, a burning sensation, heaviness, and the skin may redden.
4. Diseases of the lymphatic system. Various diseases of the lymphatic system (including erysipelas) are accompanied by dense and persistent edema, which is difficult to get rid of. For such a violation, edema of the back of the foot is characteristic - that is, a kind of pillow is formed from above.
5. Damage to the joints, bones, ligaments. Various injuries, sprains, bruises and fractures of bones, joints and ligaments necessarily lead to edema. As a rule, in this case, the edema is located only on the affected leg, accompanied by pain when walking.

These are the main diagnoses, a symptom of which may be swelling of the legs.But is it always worth to see a doctor with similar signs?

When to see a doctor

If you notice a slight leg swelling after evening drinking beer with salted nuts, the reason for this swelling is obvious. In this case, the swelling after a while will pass by itself, you should not even worry about it. If the puffiness does not pass longer than a week or only increases each time, it is necessary to go to an appointment with a doctor. As a rule, at first it will be a therapist who can refer you to narrower specialists - a cardiologist, phlebologist, traumatologist, nephrologist, etc. depending on the cause of the swelling.

You should immediately see a doctor if the swelling is accompanied by redness and stretching of the skin, the appearance of ulcers or dark areas on the epidermis. Of particular concern is the presence of pastoznost. This means you need to press down on the soft tissue and see if there are traces left. If so, the visit to the doctor should not be postponed. If the swelling has formed on one leg or has risen above the knee, this also indicates the need for urgent professional help.

Drug treatment of leg edema

As noted, puffiness is only a symptom. Disposal of edema depends on the underlying disease and is aimed at its treatment. Here are a few medication groups of drugs that can be useful for swelling of the legs.

1. Diuretic drugs. They will help remove excess fluid from the body, which is “stuck” in the intercellular space. Such therapy is effective for cardiac and renal edema. Among the most effective can be identified Furosemide, Trifas, Lasix, Uregit, etc.
2. Potassium. The drug is prescribed for cardiac disorders. Potassium is needed to restore the deficiency after leaching by diuretic drugs. Among such funds can be distinguished Asparks and Panangin. In general, potassium preparations are very useful for the work of the heart muscle. However, they are contraindicated in renal failure.
3. Cardioprotectors. They do not act directly on the swelling, but they perfectly improve the functioning of the heart so that it better pumps blood in the veins and arteries. The group of cardioprotective drugs is very large, a specific tool is selected depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.
4. Phlebotonics are needed for vein diseases. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve blood circulation. Among such means - Troxevasin, Detralex, Normen, etc.
5. Blood thinners. They are also necessary for the complex treatment of veins and heart pathologies. If the blood is viscous, it is more difficult to pump through the arteries and veins. But a more fluid consistency moves along the arteries much easier. Among such drugs can be distinguished Aspekard, Cardiomagnyl, Lospirin, etc.
6. Local ointments and gels. Local effects are effective for varicose veins and even for simple overstrain. Such means increase blood circulation, the severity of edema decreases in just a few minutes. Among these products are Troxevasin, Heparin ointment, Lioton, Venarus, etc. In case of erysipelas, local antibacterial therapy is used - Levomekol is applied to the skin.

This is just a rough designation of groups of drugs that can help you get rid of edema. Remember that only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe medications.

How to get rid of leg swelling

Here are some tips and advice to help you get rid of swelling in the legs.

1. If you work in a standing or sitting position, you need to change your position every hour.If you are sitting at the computer, take breaks, walk around the room, go up and down the stairs, take lunch walks. This will help you to disperse stagnant blood. If, on the contrary, you are on your feet, you need to look for time to rest, sit at least 5 minutes every hour. Only in this way you can reduce the load on the precious legs.
2. If edema occurs in the legs, regularly raise the legs above the level of the body, at least for 10-15 minutes. That is, you need to lie on the bed, and substitute a pillow under your feet. So you will increase the outflow of blood from the lower extremities.
3. Be sure to do gymnastics, especially when sitting and standing work. It can be done even while sitting on a chair - twist your toes in one and the other side, make up, down, right and left movements, squeeze and unclasp your toes.
4. Very effective massage. During pregnancy and other manifestations of edema massage should be done twice a day. This will help to normalize blood circulation in the lower extremities, to disperse the blood. You can do massage with local gels and ointments to enhance the effect of the procedure.
5. Be sure to wear compression stockings, pantyhose and socks. They gently squeeze the legs below the knee and do not allow blood and fluid to stagnate in the soft tissues of the indicated areas.
6. To make the vessels more elastic, contrast baths can be made. Put two cups in front of you - with cold and hot water. Lower the legs in the bath alternately.
7. Exclude from the diet salted, smoked and pickled foods, give up alcohol and nicotine, try not to drink at night. But in the heat try to drink more, to sweat and stabilize the heat exchange. Generally, if the swelling is not associated with temperature indicators, the amount of fluid consumed should be reduced, so as not to provoke even greater swelling.
8. Choose shoes carefully - they should be comfortable and comfortable, the heel should not be higher than 4 cm, straps and straps should not compress the foot. It is best to choose shoes in the evening, as the foot at this time of day is the largest.

These simple tips and advice will help you get rid of the physiological edema, without the use of medicines. However, the swelling of the legs can be won with home remedies.

Folk recipes against leg swelling

Here are some effective and popular recipes that will help you get rid of leg swelling.

1. Mint decoction. Prepare a decoction from the calculation - one tablespoon of dried plant per liter of boiling water. Drink a liter of broth during the day, the next morning, swelling will become much less pronounced.
2. Lemon, cucumber and carrot. To get rid of edema, we will prepare a diuretic cocktail. Juice should be squeezed out of cucumber, lemon and carrots - about half a glass. Mix the ingredients and dilute the juice in half with water. Drink the composition in small portions throughout the day.
3. Corn silk. A decoction of them is very useful, especially in the pathologies of the kidneys. You need to pour a liter of boiling water over the corn stigmas and insist in a thermos for at least 24 hours. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day for half an hour before meals.
4. Birch leaves. Birch leaves, too, perfectly relieve excess fluid in the body. A handful of dried or fresh leaves need to be filled with boiling water and infused in a warm place for about three hours. Drink 200 ml in the morning and evening.
5. Parsley. This plant is great fights with swelling of the legs.Parsley should be actively consumed, to cook broths on its basis, to make local compresses.
6. Hawthorn. This decoction will help you get rid of edema, if they arise because of heart problems. Dried fruits and leaves of hawthorn need to pour boiling water and infuse for 5-6 hours. At the exit should get a strong decoction that you need to take half a glass three times a day.
7. Raw Potatoes Compresses based on it are effective against leg swelling. Potatoes should be grated, put the pulp on the swollen tissue, cover with foil and leave for 20-30 minutes. Then remove the compress, wipe your feet with a dry towel, but do not wash! After a while, the swelling will subside.
8. Pumpkin. Eat pumpkin as much as possible to get rid of kidney and heart disease. Pure pumpkin juice is very useful.

Perhaps, not all recipes will suit you, each organism is individual and sensitive to certain therapeutic components. Try folk remedies, change and alternate between them to find what helps you.

Puffiness of the legs is a serious pathology that should not be neglected. Timely causes of edema can save you from heart attack and stroke, kidney failure, and blood clots.One of the most serious complications of edema is a violation of the integrity of the skin, the appearance of ulcers and open wounds, including gangrene and amputation of the leg. If you suffer from edema that is not related to nutrition and lifestyle, be sure to see a doctor. In time, the disease is the key to quick and effective recovery!

Video: what to do if legs are swollen