Puffiness of the legs is an unattractive phenomenon, which also causes certain inconveniences. Favorite shoes flatly refuse to serve faithfully, and the swelling of the legs causes understandable concerns. Of course, you can blame the herring eaten on the eve and drunk liters of water, but if the swelling of your feet constantly occurs, you should look for a reliable explanation of this fact.
Why legs swell - causes and symptoms
Even completely healthy people can at least once in their life experience all the “delights” of edema of the legs. This can happen after being in the same position for a long time, a long walk, or too close shoes, an exhausting flight in an airplane. In addition, one-time swelling of the feet may occur:
- from a large amount of fluid consumed after too salty food;
- in hot summer, when there is a violation of microcirculatory processes and accumulation of fluid in the tissues;
- during pregnancy - possible severe swelling of the legs due to sodium retention in the future mom's body.
However, most often, sadly, swelling indicates the presence of various diseases.
1. Heart swelling of the legs
The culprit is usually heart failure. Heart edema of the legs may occur with various heart defects, vascular aneurysm, after myocardial infarction. As a rule, they are symmetrical, begin with edema of the leg in the ankle and extend upward into the region of the thigh and tibia. To the touch, they are soft and cold, bluish skin tense skin. Closer to the night, the swelling of the feet of the legs becomes even more noticeable; when you press a finger over them, the fossa remains for a long time. If a person with such edema is forced to be constantly in bed, they decrease on the legs, but “move” to the lumbar region.
2. Violation of lymphatic drainage
Lymphedema is an increasing swelling of the tissues of the affected area, usually of the lower limbs. Severe swelling of the legs occurs due to a violation of the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels. It is accompanied by general weakness, a feeling of heaviness and an unpleasant tearing in the limb (usually one). Edema occurs when deep vessels are involved in the pathological process. First, the changes are noticeable in the ankle, gradually swelling rises higher. The most noticeable swelling of the legs in the evening, and after a night's rest, it does not disappear. The last stage of the disease is elephantiasis.
3. Kidney problems
Impaired renal filtration leads to persistent fluid retention and, as a result, edema. Initially, they are noticeable under the eyes, then, against the background of pronounced pain in the lumbar region, legs and arms swell. The most pronounced swelling in the morning, in the evening they become less.
4. Why legs swell in pregnant women - the reasons are not always harmless
If the future mommy does not have any concomitant diseases, then the swelling may appear after the thirtieth week of pregnancy. Even if her legs and arms are swollen, this is not always a pathology. The accumulation of sodium makes it difficult to remove the liquid, the use of salty and fried foods aggravates the situation. Edemae may not be in the morning, or they are insignificant, but in the evening the legs mercilessly pour again. If the weekly weighing does not determine an increase in weight, and the swelling does not bother you after resting, the condition is not considered pathological.
Gestosis - the so-called complication of pregnancy, in which the legs and arms, face and lower back of the expectant mother swell. Rapidly gaining weight, and severe swelling of the legs and other parts of the body does not pass even after a long rest. Pathology is accompanied by increased pressure, protein content in the urine and is dangerous for mummies and babies. A serious cause of strong leg edema in a pregnant woman is nephropathy of pregnant women.
Attention! Do not refuse hospitalization if the doctor finds you have preeclampsia! You risk the life of an unborn baby!
5. Swelling of the legs often occur due to impaired venous outflow. In various diseases, edema has its own characteristics:
- varicose veins disease - the onset of the disease is characterized by swelling of the feet and legs, more pronounced in the evening;
- thrombophlebitis - swelling of the left leg and swelling of the right leg in the area of the ankles are different, asymmetry is clearly observed. Concomitant symptoms - pain in the calf muscles, local fever and some pain in the lower legs;
- postthrombotic syndrome - significant swelling on the legs, less pronounced - on the hips. Usually present on one side only - swelling of the right leg or the left. By evening, the manifestations increase, and after a night's rest they become less noticeable;
- syndrome of the inferior vena cava - severe swelling of the legs spreads to the buttocks, abdominal wall, and genitals. An extremely unpleasant additional symptom are numerous trophic ulcers on the legs.
6. Causes of leg swelling can be neurological diseases, polio or stroke with paralysis of the lower limbs. Increased capillary permeability causes moderate leg swelling. Similar phenomena can be observed in diseases of the endocrine system.
7. Traumatic injury
Edema is a frequent satellite of various injuries, accompanies bruises, sprains and fractures over several days. Gradually fading away in the treatment of the underlying disease.
Why do leg swelling occur in older people?
Separately it is worthwhile to dwell on the consideration of the reasons for the swelling of the legs in the elderly. This is a natural and fairly common phenomenon, age-related changes in the body, alas, are irreversible. Due to the slowing down of the metabolism and insufficient functioning of the internal organs, tissues accumulate fluid, as a result of which the legs and arms and face swell. However, these symptoms are able to signal a serious disruption in the body, the presence of various diseases. For example, swelling of the feet in the ankles can tell about heart failure, and swelling of the left leg or just the right leg can tell about deep vein thrombosis. Liver cirrhosis or lung disease can also cause leg edema in the elderly.
Causes of edema in men and women
Venous insufficiency is most often the cause of swelling of the legs in men. Representatives of a strong article sometimes choose a profession associated with increased physical activity, weightlifting. In addition, intense sports training can lead to stagnant fluids, due to heavy sweating and lack of fluid replenishment. Legs of men are swelling due to their taste preferences - fatty and spicy foods, excess salt. In an effort to get rid of extra pounds, some expose themselves to the merciless torment of diets, and in this case, the legs of men are swollen due to the lack of protein intake in the body.
In the beautiful half of humanity, leg edema is often associated with hormonal changes. It happens:
- during menopause;
- before menstruation;
- after childbirth.
This is usually a fairly normal physiological phenomena that do not require special treatment. If the swelling is constant, or annoying too often, you should consult a doctor.
Legs swelling - diagnostic methods
Why legs swell - the reasons, as is clear from the above, can be very diverse. If swelling of the legs in the ankles or feet is a short-term phenomenon associated with heat or an abundance of drunk fluids, a visit to the doctor is not necessary. If there are accompanying symptoms, especially signs of allergy, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and sharp pain, a visit to the doctor is indispensable. You should not make a diagnosis yourself and resort to the help of diuretics. In some cases, this is fraught with side effects and exacerbation of the existing problem.
If you want to know why the legs swell up - therapist, a specialist in all sorts of ailments, will call the reasons. After a visual inspection and detailed familiarization with the circumstances of the occurrence of unpleasant symptoms, the doctor, depending on the need, prescribes certain studies. Legs swell - diagnostic methods:
- blood tests - expanded and clotting;
- ultrasound examination of the vessels, organs of the small pelvis, abdominal cavity;
- electrocardiogram;
- check the level of hormones;
- radiography;
- tomography, and other important for diagnosing research.
If necessary, consult other specialists - a cardiologist, gynecologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist, angiologist or phlebologist.
Any diagnosis requires a certain time, and swelling of the feet or ankles significantly complicates life. Some common methods to alleviate the condition and reduce edema, which are not capable of harm, can be tried already at this stage.
Attention! Do not get carried away with diuretics and other medicines, if the cause of edema has not yet been established!
Legs swelling - treatment of external manifestations
1. Limit salt intake, do not pour salt in handfuls in ready-made meals!
2. The total amount of fluid consumed per day should not exceed 2-2.5 liters. It is advisable not to drink at night.
3. Water treatments are an excellent tool for dilating blood vessels and reducing swelling. Bathing and swimming in the pool or pond, a contrast shower and just foot baths with mineral water, essential oils, sea salt. Excellent helps douche.
4. Swelling of the feet in the ankle or lower leg decreases after resting in a horizontal position. Under the legs you need to put a roller or pad, so that they are raised 35-40 degrees above the torso.
5. Swelling of the feet in the elderly helps to remove or reduce light massage. Movement should be directed upwards.
6. Simple gymnastic exercises - walking on tiptoes, rolling the ball with the feet on the floor, flexing and extending the fingers, rotational movements with the feet.
Legs are swollen - the doctor prescribes the treatment.
After successful diagnosis, the doctor offers a comprehensive treatment of the underlying disease, his successful therapy will help to eliminate the annoying edema. Depending on the cause of the swelling of the legs, the following methods are commonly used:
- A special diet - most often with the restriction of salt and water;
- compression underwear - stockings, stockings and tights;
Attention! Preventive compression knitwear can and should be applied to all those who have to stand on their feet for a long time. But the doctor selects the medical underwear individually, depending on the evidence, and it can be purchased only at the pharmacy!
- various ointments and gels to relieve inflammation, improve blood circulation, eliminate microthrombus, strengthen the walls of capillaries and veins;
- diuretic drugs, including the gathering of herbs - only as directed by the doctor and courses. Constant use of “harmless herbs” can cause dehydration, sudden jumps in blood pressure and a host of other side effects;
- apparatus lymphatic drainage massage not only successfully helps when the legs swell - a treatment of this kind restores the former attractiveness of the legs, relieves fatigue, restores the lymph flow. However, this method of treating edema has many contraindications - various skin diseases, pregnancy, cancers, renal failure, vascular lesions in diabetes;
- heart edema of the legs is also treated only in the complex, with the use of drugs that increase myocardial contractility, means that reduce vascular tone, and medicines that reduce the load on the heart.
Swelling of the legs often indicates a very serious ailments. Therefore, experts do not get tired to warn again and again: legs are swollen - treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, even if these are recipes of traditional medicine.
Feet swelling - treatment of folk remedies
The focus, when the legs swell, should be given to medical treatment. However, other methods are also important in improving the condition. If the legs are swollen, treatment with folk remedies will help to quickly return to a full life, remove the cosmetic defect, successfully remove excess fluid from the body. Check with your doctor, and choose the appropriate method for yourself:
- One tablespoon of ordinary parsley need to pour two cups of boiling water. Drink a little during the day.
- on a half cup of fresh carrot juice, add lemon juice and cucumber. Divide the mixture three times, adding water as desired;
- 4 tablespoons of flaxseed pour 1 liter of water, boil for about 15 minutes and insist. Drink 1/2 cup several times a day. Syrup or juice can be added to taste. The course of treatment is 3 weeks;
- if the legs swell in men, decoction of radish helps very effectively. To do this, the root (about 400 grams) is cut into pieces, poured boiling water and kept on the fire for 10 minutes. Insist about three hours and drink instead of water;
- 50 g of dried chamomile flowers pour boiling water, insist and use for foot baths;
- 2 tablespoons of birch leaves pour half a liter of boiling water and insist. Drink half a cup 4-5 times during the day.
When the legs swell - treatment of folk remedies is a good support. But even better - do not allow your body to a state during which legs and arms are swollen, and a visit to the doctor is necessary. The best treatment is prevention!
Preventive measures of leg edema - expert advice
- vitamins B, C, E improve blood circulation and perfectly strengthen blood vessels, do not forget about their reception;
- movement is life, and regular walks will reliably protect against the occurrence of edema;
- from the menu should be excluded: fried and salty foods, alcohol;
- do not be lazy at the time of rest to put a small pad under the legs;
- leg to leg posture - the right way to varicose veins;
- with long sitting, take short breaks every half hour;
- watch the weight;
- tight tights and narrow shoes interfere with normal blood flow;
- high heels - not for many hours of use, do not scoff at the legs;
- if possible, let your legs take a periodic rest - take off your shoes for a few minutes, move your fingers, massage your feet;
- Smoking or beautiful and healthy legs - you choose.
Take care of your legs, pay attention to them, and they will keep their perfect look for a long time.
