Swelling of the feet in the elderly - causes and treatment

Since the birth of nature in the body laid all the conditions for its normal functioning. The system of immunity protects it from various external and internal “attacks”. But over time, the body undergoes natural aging, wears out. From this process can not escape. Quite often, when a person’s age exceeds half a century, many people start to swell the legs. This is due to the fact that at this age, for natural reasons, metabolic processes are disturbed.

Fact! Puffiness of legs is characteristic for both sex groups, however women are subject to a similar condition more often than men.

Common causes

The elderly contingent faces a similar condition quite often. Both legs and one lower limb may swell.Why this happens, you can understand if you know the causes of such states.

The causal relationship with swelling of the legs is quite variable in nature. Sometimes these conditions arise from the impact of a whole complex of factors. The situation may be aggravated by the presence of certain conditions. Doctors claim that "even pouring heavy fuel into the fire" can be even banal heavy physical exertion. The body in the presence of conditions of swelling works with a large overload. Intense physical activity is a factor that will lead to increased severity of these manifestations.

The basis of the genesis of edema in the legs is often the chronic pathology of the internal organs. These include the following states:

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. In older people, the movement of blood through the vessels is not proceeding as fast as at a young age. The blood flow slows down, at times, quite significantly. This leads to stagnation of blood in individual tissues. For this reason, swelling may occur. Congestion may well cause varicose veins. This will contribute to the development of venous insufficiency and mayeven lead to thrombosis. The condition is very unpleasant and is often accompanied by severe pain.

If the pain is very intense, you should, without delay, seek medical help. Diseases of the veins lead to increasing edema, and the pain is arching. When walking, the load on the legs increases, the pain becomes more pronounced. Most often, the pain is localized in the ankle and feet.

With thrombosis, the pain is so pronounced that any opportunity for normal movement disappears. In the place where a blood clot forms, the skin becomes dark in color, becoming literally black in color. These conditions require immediate medical attention. Objectively, in such conditions, the legs become strongly swollen.

If the puffiness is associated with heart failure, then the hip area becomes the place of irradiation of pain. In this case, you must consult with a cardiologist. In men, heart failure is the main cause of swelling of the legs. To somehow correct these manifestations,Constant medication, prescribed by a cardiologist, is necessary.

Violations associated with metabolic processes. When they swelling of the legs is observed quite often. In old age, the mechanisms of cell interaction are violated. This leads to an imbalance associated with electrolytes and proteins.

The work of the kidneys in the body is very busy. There is an accumulation of fluid. Along with it, unprocessed harmful substances accumulate. All this leads to nephrosis. There is swelling of the lower extremities. Similar changes can be observed and in violation of the liver. Somewhat improve the work of the kidneys by using diuretic fees.

Swelling of the legs can in diabetics. This picture is observed quite often. In addition, diabetics are often prone to thrombosis.

Traumatic factor. Any, even the smallest injury, leads to puffiness. When it is damaged small vessels and capillaries. Inflammation develops, one of the classic signs of which is swelling. Minor injuries are usually not dangerous for the body, and swelling in them is eliminated by attachment of a cold object to the edematous area.

Wrong diet. In old age, a person, more than ever, needs proper nutrition. Older people often neglect issues related to proper nutrition. They consume everything indiscriminately, not respecting any regime points. Often the "reward" for such carelessness is swelling of the legs.

Overweight. In obese and fat people, leg swelling occurs quite often. Over time, the muscle fibers wear out and cannot bear the increased load on the legs. The legs just get tired of wearing a heavy body. As a consequence, there is a release of fluid from the vascular bed and the development of edema. In summer, this is manifested most pronounced, since it also adds the effect of the thermal factor.

The causes include chronic pathology of the digestive tract. A number of diseases lead to impaired absorption and redistribution of fluid in the body. Help to correct the state of diuretics.

The legs may swell due to hypertension in the vessels of the lungs and increased peripheral blood pressure.

Lead to swelling of the legs may be the influence of external factors.A striking example is the long-term use of drugs due to the presence of any disease. Some drugs can cause swelling of the lower limbs as a side effect.

Treatment of edema

It is necessary to get rid of puffiness not only by local effects on the edematous area, but also by complex therapy on the body.

Local treatment
It should be applied immediately, when the exact cause of the edema has not been established.

1. Apply various external means in the form of ointments, gels. Some of them eliminate the signs of inflammation, and help prevent the formation of blood clots or their resorption. Typically, these funds are prepared on the basis of horse chestnut or heparin.
2. The use of diuretics is shown. As a result of their action, a uniform distribution of fluid throughout the body will occur.
3. Often resorted to the use of badyagi. Add vegetable oil to it in the ratio 1: 1. Stir the composition until a homogeneous slurry is formed. She and applied to the problem site. It is better if this is done at night.
4. A good result can be obtained from wearing compression socks and stockings. They cannot constrain movements, but their legs “rest” and prevent the possibility of blood clots. Such underwear is suitable not only for women, but also for men.

Comprehensive correction
Its main focus is the elimination of factors contributing to the occurrence of puffiness. Correction is aimed at treating the underlying disease. At the same time do not forget about the use of local funds.

• If you have high blood pressure, use antihypertensive drugs.
• If there is a pathology of the heart, a cardiologist will help.
• In chronic pathology, actions are aimed at prolonging the period of remission and preventing exacerbations.

Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine operates in its arsenal with many means of combating edema:

1. Popular tincture of horse chestnut. To do this, chopped chestnut is filled with vodka. It is necessary to insist 10 days. Reception is carried out several times a day, 10 drops. This tool is very effectively struggling with varicose veins.
2. Well corrects the swollen state of parsley root.It takes 50 g of chopped parsley root and boiling water in a volume of 500 ml. Infusion is left overnight. In the morning it is necessary to filter and drink the entire volume during the day.
3. You can fight swelling with flax seed. 100 g of seeds are added to a liter of boiling water. In a water bath, the composition costs half an hour. Insist a few hours in a warm place. During the day, take multiple times in half a glass. Course duration is 3 weeks.
4. If kidney activity is impaired, green tea will be helpful. As a diuretic, you can use infusion of horsetail, sage, oregano, linden, milk thistle. From their use will accelerate the processes of filtration and liquid processing.
5. Contrast foot baths will be a good tool in the fight against edema. The alternation of warm and cold water will lead to the disappearance of edema. After such water procedures, it is useful to rub your feet with olive oil. Camphor oil is also suitable for this purpose. Rubbing is carried out until the product is completely absorbed into the skin of the feet. The procedure is carried out regularly in the evenings.
6. The use of phyto-compresses is effective.For them, you can use raw potatoes, birch buds, a mixture of yogurt and wormwood in a 1: 1 ratio. You can apply for this decoction made from birch leaves.
7. Foot baths can be made with sea salt, juniper berries, chamomile decoction. Removal of excess fluid will contribute to the drink from dried apricots. An excellent tool in this regard is a decoction of radish.
8. It is useful for older people to eat watermelons, cucumbers, melons, carrots in any form. All of them contribute to the removal of excess fluid from the body and are not inferior in effectiveness to diuretics.

Lifestyle Recommendations

Whatever the cause of the formation of edema, a lifestyle correction is required to ensure that the causes contributing to the edema are eliminated.

1. The main requirement in old age is to maintain a measured lifestyle. No excesses at this age can not afford. This applies to both nutrition and exercise.
2. A foot massage will be helpful. It is reasonable to combine active load with rest.
3. If possible, avoid stressful situations.In case of sleep disorders, you can take valerian tincture, infusions of sedative charges.

Prevention

Preventive measures are simple, but effectively help prevent the development of edema. These include:

Restriction in the diet of salt. It contributes to the retention of fluid in the body and the development of edema. Of course, you should exclude alcohol and water with gas.

• For drinking, it is better to stop the choice with ordinary liquid.
• Abandon foods that contribute to the emergence of thirst.
• Shoes for everyday wear should not squeeze the foot.
• Massage localization of edema.
• Daily feasible exercise.
• Active life position in all respects.
• More movements, including aerobics.
• If possible, walk more barefoot.
• It will be useful to perform exercises related to rolling a looming or ball with your feet.

All these measures are simple for their implementation, but the effect of them in terms of prevention of edema will be noticeable.

Video: treatment of edema of the legs folk remedies