home Audience 2 What to do when your leg is swollen. Why do my legs swell, and what to do in this case? Cause of leg swelling: renal pathologies

What to do when your leg is swollen. Why do my legs swell, and what to do in this case? Cause of leg swelling: renal pathologies

Edema of the legs is characterized as excess fluid in the tissues and cells of the body. As a rule, such a disease manifests itself along with an increase in the volume of organs and structures, which provokes disruption of work and functioning. This problem occurs quite often in people with pathologies of the heart, kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, lymphatic system or skin. Swelling of the legs can occur in people of different age groups; the symptom is especially common in older people and in women during pregnancy.

Etiology

Many people suffer from swelling of varying severity because they have an imbalance between the physiological mechanisms responsible for regulating fluid exchange and the load on the intercellular space. This problem is normal in relation to provoking factors from the external environment, but swelling can also be a symptom of various diseases.

Leg swelling has interconnected causes and treatment, so until the doctor identifies the etiology of the disease, therapy cannot be prescribed, because it can provoke the development of complications. Quite often, the reason that people’s legs swell is due to pathological changes in the body more and more often and more intensely. The etiology of the symptom lies in the following groups of diseases:

in healthy people it is caused by tension in the limbs throughout the day, hydrostatic effects on the microvasculature;
kidney problems;
pathologies of the venous system of the extremities;
diseases of the lymphatic system of the legs;
disease of the musculoskeletal system;
with inflammation and purulent-infiltrative damage to the skin and soft tissues;
with mechanical damage to the legs;
nutritional exhaustion.

Physiological problems can also cause swelling of the legs:

excessive salt consumption;
when the body overheats;
during pregnancy;
prolonged standing;
wearing uncomfortable shoes or heels.

In men and women, legs swell most often for precisely these reasons. However, in females this symptom can occur much more often. The disease may not be caused by overwork or the listed pathologies, but by pregnancy.

This symptom is very common in pregnant women. It is provoked by a hormonal imbalance. In turn, incorrect hormonal levels lead to vasodilation and sodium retention in the body. Treatment of an unpleasant symptom in women during pregnancy depends on the doctor, and only he can tell you what to do and how to solve such a problem.

Classification

The disease develops according to different etiologies; therefore, clinicians identify several forms of edema in the extremities:

hydremic – characterized by the accumulation of fluid due to kidney pathology;
cachectic – formed due to a disease of the cardiovascular system;
stagnant - manifests itself in problems with blood vessels and capillaries;
mechanical - from damage, tumors or pregnancy;
neuropathic – with alcohol abuse and;
allergic - .

Symptoms

The first signs that a person’s feet are severely swollen will be slight imprints from the elastic bands of socks on the shin, discomfort when moving in usual shoes. As the disease progresses, the swelling of the limbs only becomes more pronounced in patients.

If the causes of swelling are physiological factors, then the patient’s clinical picture begins to worsen in the late afternoon, after eating food or during prolonged exposure to the sun. If the cause is pathological processes, then swelling can manifest itself in the following indicators:

vri - the symptom spreads asymmetrically, the right or left leg swells greatly, pain and heaviness appear in the lower extremities;
when the disease affects only the affected leg, swelling is accompanied by pain, burning when walking and redness of the skin;
renal edema - appears in the eyes, legs, the skin becomes pale;
with thyroid disease, swollen legs become elastic, and rubber bands do not leave marks.

Diagnostics

Self-diagnosis and treatment of swelling can lead to serious complications and serious consequences, especially since the symptom is a sign of pathologies of vital organs. Therefore, if a person feels swelling in the lower extremities, they should seek help from specialized medical specialists.

With a similar problem, the patient needs to go to, and. Before deciding what to do if your legs swell, the doctor needs to determine what caused the ailment. Depending on the current clinical picture, the doctor can suggest the etiology of the pathological process.

As part of the diagnosis, the doctor will definitely do a blood and urine test. Ultrasound, echocardiogram, blood pressure measurement, tomography, radiography and other instrumental diagnostic methods are also performed. The doctor can tell you how to remove swelling in the legs only after identifying the root cause.

Treatment

You need to approach the issue of how to relieve swelling in the legs in a comprehensive manner. You should not take drastic measures of therapy without consulting a doctor. Therefore, first a person needs to undergo a diagnosis, determine the etiology of the symptom, and then treatment is prescribed. However, before consulting a doctor, you are allowed to use some remedies, but they should not be abused either. The main tablets for swelling of the legs are diuretics. They help remove excess fluid from the body, but if consumed in excess, side effects may occur.

Also, doctors, when answering patients’ questions about how to get rid of swelling in the legs, recommend following these simple measures:

reduce the amount of liquid and salt per day;
do foot massage and exercise;
walk on tiptoes;
do dorsiflexion of the legs;
spread and clench the fingers of the lower extremities;
raise and lower your toes and heels in a standing or sitting position;
take multivitamins and dietary supplements;
make aromatic baths.

All of the above treatment measures are excellent if a woman begins to experience swelling in her legs during pregnancy. While carrying a child, you need to be as careful as possible and devote a long period of time to rest so that the fluid can drain from the lower extremities. Also, to relieve swelling, pregnant women must take diuretics prescribed by the doctor.

Treatment of swelling directly depends on the cause of its appearance. When orthostatic symptoms develop, the patient is recommended to take cool foot baths. For cardiac edema, the patient needs complex measures, which include diet, weight adjustment, elimination of negative habits and the use of anti-atherosclerotic drugs.

Relieve swelling in heart failure with drugs from the list of medications below:

medications that improve myocardial contraction;
lowering vascular tone - ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, nitrates;
diuretics;
to reduce the load on the heart.

In case of serious cardiac pathologies, the patient is prescribed surgical intervention.

If doctors have identified why the swelling has developed, and the reasons are related to venous problems, then the patient is recommended to undergo drainage and bandaging of the lower extremities. Often the provoking factor for stagnation in the veins is increased intra-abdominal pressure. Therefore, doctors recommend that patients not lift heavy objects and prevent the appearance of

Among the causes of swelling of the left leg (or right limb) there are both external factors not associated with diseases, and internal malfunctions in the body. However, when you see such a pathology, you should not panic: the problem does not pose a mortal danger, and it is easy to identify the features of its occurrence after a short diagnosis.

Recognizing swelling of the left leg is easier than determining its type. For an experienced therapist, such a process is not difficult. There are several types of edema, the identification of which will help in further identifying the causes of their formation:

mechanical - appear after injuries, as a result of pregnancy, as well as in the case of the formation of tumors in different parts of the body;
hydremic – appear in kidney diseases and are associated with fluid stagnation;
stagnant - arise due to problems in the capillaries and blood vessels;
cachectic - occur due to dehydration or severe exhaustion of the body, as a result of heart disease;
neuropathic – formed as a result of diabetes mellitus or alcoholism;
allergic – characterized by rapid onset and severe severity.

Identifying the causes and prescribing treatment for swelling of the left leg begins with determining the type of swelling. After this, it is easier for the doctor to establish the correct diagnosis. However, edema does not always form as a result of a disease. There are specific causes of swelling of one leg that do not require complex therapy:

increased load – standing work, heavy physical activity;
formed flat feet;
improper drinking regime and excess fluid intake before bedtime;
problems with metabolic processes in the body;
the habit of always sitting with your legs crossed;
sitting too low on a chair while working, or using soft seats;
wrong shoes - too high a heel or flat sole;
excess weight;
ankle or toe injury;
pregnancy (but swelling of one limb rarely spreads without pathological processes).

All causes not related to organ diseases can be easily corrected through lifestyle changes. However, some symptoms may hide serious illnesses, such as diabetes.

Diseases that cause swelling of one limb

Among the causes of swelling of the right or left leg, there are also more serious components - diseases. The most common of them:

varicose veins, swelling is at first barely noticeable, then intensifies with prolonged standing on the legs;
pathologies of the cardiovascular system - any problems with the heart and blood vessels, including hypertension, can lead to sudden swelling of one limb;
kidney disease - swelling can be very severe, often affecting both limbs. However, in some cases, swelling of one leg may occur, accompanied by darkening of the skin around the eyes and a change in urine character;
intestinal diseases - swelling is accompanied by diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms;
“elephantitis” disease – lymphatic drainage in the epidermis worsens, metabolism is disrupted;
diseases of the thyroid gland - swelling can be elastic, affecting the lower parts of the legs. Additional swelling of the body, lethargy and drowsiness are possible;
thrombophlebitis - unlike varicose veins, it is always accompanied by a feeling of heat in the veins, redness and pain along its location;
blood clots in the veins - clogged ducts prevent the heart from receiving the required amount of blood, its circulation is disrupted;
osteomyelitis is a disease of bones and joints in which an acute inflammatory process occurs.

If, for example, your right leg is swollen, its color has changed greatly and sensitivity is impaired, you need to consult a doctor. Some diseases involve the presence of several complications at once, which leads to severe edema and even gangrene of the lower extremities.

Associated symptoms and diagnosis of pathology

If one leg is swollen, but additional symptoms appear, this almost always requires contacting a doctor:

pain and shortness of breath – possible heart failure;
temperature above 39 degrees is a sign of the onset of inflammation;
high blood pressure in a pregnant woman;
severe joint pain;
convulsions.

Severe morning swelling of the face and eyes can indicate kidney problems.

Diagnostic stages

Diagnosis of diseases begins in the therapist's office. Then, based on the results of the examination, he will give a referral to one of the highly specialized specialists. To identify the problem, you need to undergo an ultrasound, x-ray, lymphoscintigraphy (examination of blood vessels and nodes), and in some cases you need to undergo an MRI. Additionally, blood and urine tests are prescribed. If heart disease is suspected, a cardiogram is performed.

What is the danger of swelling in one leg?

The reasons why swelling of one leg can be so dangerous are hidden in possible diseases of the heart, kidneys, and endocrine system. If one leg swells constantly, you should consult a doctor. Otherwise, the person will experience progression of the disease that caused the pathology.

Signs of deterioration include: weight gain, swelling under the eyes, frequent attacks of hypertension, severe pain and inability to move normally.

Even the simplest swelling caused by injury, if left untreated, can become chronic. Sometimes swelling develops into elephantiasis, lymphatic drainage is impaired and varicose veins develop.

First aid for detecting edema

Before using remedies to relieve swelling, you must provide first aid to the patient (or yourself). However, they are effective only in the absence of serious illnesses - due to heat, in the morning, due to stress.

First you need to free your feet from clothes and shoes, wash them with cool water and try to relax. You can then use a relaxing cream to relieve swelling in your right or left leg. Apply it with massage movements. After this, you need to rest for about 20 minutes, placing your feet slightly above head level.

After the first procedures, more serious treatment begins - the use of compresses and baths, as well as other traditional medicine recipes. If there are diseases, the doctor prescribes medications to relieve pathological swelling.

Which doctor should I contact?

If swelling appears on one leg, you can first consult a therapist. Then they will give a referral to a cardiologist, nephrologist or phlebologist, depending on the type of edema and accompanying symptoms. If thyroid disease is suspected, they are referred to an endocrinologist.

Treatment methods

There is no single option when it comes to treating edema. Therapy should be approached comprehensively, including all the remedies recommended by the doctor:

Massotherapy. The therapist will show you how to do it correctly to relieve swelling.
Gymnastics. A specialist will select a set of exercises.
Baths and rubbing. Mainly folk recipes, herbal decoctions, and sea salt are used.
Complete rest. Without this component, quick and high-quality treatment is impossible.

After determining the cause of swelling of the left or right leg, the doctor will prescribe treatment. In complex therapy, medications are necessarily used. To help cope with swelling:

phlebotonics are prescribed - drugs that strengthen veins and blood vessels (Eskuzan, Venarus, Detralex, Troxevasin);
use anticoagulants - blood thinners (Aspirin, Lyoton);
in some cases, medications are prescribed to improve heart function by stimulating pumping function;
diuretics are prescribed as part of the complex treatment of edema and varicose veins;
antiplatelet agents - used to cleanse the blood of cholesterol and plaques - are prescribed as needed.

Additionally, compression garments are used to retain fluid. For swelling caused by joint diseases, orthopedic shoes or insoles are selected.

Alternative remedies for relieving swelling in the left leg

The use of traditional medicine in the treatment of swelling of one limb is effective and appropriate. The methods can be used both in combination with the main therapy and as maintenance treatment:

Birch leaf wraps. You need to take cotton rags - old sheets or towels, pieces of fabric - they are used to form bags. You can use old pillowcases. Birch leaves are poured into them and placed on the feet. They wrap themselves well and wait for their limbs to start sweating. After about 2-3 hours, the pillowcases are removed.
Compress and light massage. You can use a decoction of any suitable herb for a compress. Soak cotton paper in it and wrap it around the problematic leg. Then they put on the bag and wrap it up. You need to leave it on all night.
Turpentine. Pure turpentine mixed with 2 parts of warm castor oil will help with swelling on one leg. Wipe the skin, put on high socks and leave overnight. Any swelling should go down overnight.
Sea salt. Pour warm water into a basin and add about 30-40 g of sea salt. The foot is placed for 30 minutes, the procedure is completed with rinsing and a light massage.
Peppermint. Add 3-4 drops of mint ether into cool water and place your foot in the bath.

A separate group includes medicinal herbs for eliminating edema. They can be taken both internally and externally in the form of compresses.

Herbs to treat swelling

Among the popular herbs for relieving swelling caused by poor lifestyle, injuries and other factors not related to severe diseases of the internal organs are:

Cornflower. Use 1 tsp. blue cornflower and 1 cup boiling water. You need to infuse the product all night, strain in the morning and 2 tbsp. l. taken before every meal. Not suitable for pregnant women!
Linen. Seeds and inflorescences are used - a mixture of 3 tbsp. l. pour 1 liter of boiling water and cool. You need to take 2 tbsp. l. You can add a little honey, as the product is bitter.
Cherry. Use stalks that you harvest yourself. Take 2 tbsp of boiling water for 250 ml. l. dry legs and leave for 40-60 minutes. When the mixture has cooled, take 1-2 spoons. You should not drink if you have liver disease!
Pharmaceutical chamomile. A sedative that, in the form of a strong decoction, relieves swelling well. Pour 250 ml of boiling water over 12 inflorescences and cool. You need to take 1 tbsp. l. before eating.
Calendula. A well-known medicinal herb that relieves swelling well. Take 2 tsp. for 500 ml of boiling water, you can add 1 tsp. cornflower flowers. Taken during sedentary work, wearing high heels. You can drink before every meal.

Treatment with medicinal herbs should not last longer than 1 month, as addiction may occur. If folk remedies are used as part of complex therapy, alternate them with each other.

Elimination of edema due to varicose veins

If swelling on the right or left leg appears as a result of varicose veins, then you can get rid of it using additional methods and medications. The key recommendation is to use moderate physical activity without much involvement of the legs. Yoga asanas are ideal for combating varicose veins.

You cannot engage in power sports with sudden jumps and jerks.

Swimming and water sports are great for reducing swelling caused by varicose veins. However, you can’t do without drugs to relieve pathology. In general, they are similar to what is used to treat edema from other diseases.

All medications are taken strictly according to the course, and the results of treatment are assessed by the doctor after repeated examinations and tests.

Regardless of the reasons for the accumulation of fluid, doctors recommend treating swelling of one leg using light physical activity. All exercises can be done directly on the bed or on the floor at home:

“scissors” - perfectly stimulate blood flow - straight leg swings;
“bicycle” - lying on a hard sofa, legs make movements as if riding a bicycle;
“birch” - the legs rise up, you can start with the support against the wall, the back is supported by the hands in the lumbar region;
skiing, running and cycling are the maximum permissible sports with high activity.

Prevention of swelling

To prevent your right or left leg from swelling and swelling from time to time, you need to follow simple rules of prevention. They will not help get rid of kidney disease, heart disease and varicose veins, but they will facilitate the process of possible treatment.

You should wear comfortable low-heeled shoes and avoid putting excessive strain on your feet.

Doctors advise normalizing your diet, eliminating large amounts of sweets, fats and salty foods. It is also useful for prevention to engage in moderate physical activity, perform therapeutic exercises and foot massage.

If swelling occurs in the morning, then in the evening you need to prevent excessive fluid intake. A cup of coffee, one of the best diuretic products, will help remove excess water.

Many adults from time to time experience such an unpleasant phenomenon as foot swelling. It is not difficult to determine leg swelling in the foot area: shoes of the usual size begin to compress the leg, and a feeling of heaviness and fullness appears in the limb itself. As for the nature of the swelling, it directly depends on the cause of this condition.

Why can my feet swell?

In healthy people, swelling of the legs around the feet can occur for the following reasons:

Load on the legs: intense physical activity leads to disruption of venous circulation, which is why the foot gradually increases in size and hurts.
Salt abuse: swelling is observed on the dorsum of the foot and on the toes.
Heat: When the temperature is high, the legs often swell around the feet.
PMS in women.
Alcohol consumption.

It has been noted that in healthy people, swelling of the legs lasts only for a while and disappears when the influence of a negative factor (heat, for example) stops. However, it happens that swelling of the feet is permanent, so in this case the swelling is considered as a sign of some disease.

Most often, the legs become swollen due to the following diseases:

Heart failure: The legs swell symmetrically around the feet and ankles, but as the disease progresses and if left untreated, the swelling spreads to the lower legs. A symptom such as cold feet may also occur. Edema in heart failure is dense, but decreases after resting in a horizontal position.
Vein thrombosis of the lower extremities: with this disease, different areas of the extremities (foot, ankle, lower leg) may swell, but the swelling is asymmetrical. With vein thrombosis, the limb can increase several times in size. The swelling is accompanied by a feeling of stiffness and pain in the leg.
Varicose veins: The feet swell with this disease mainly in the evening, after a person has been walking or standing for a long time.
Kidney disease: swelling is localized on the top of the feet and on the toes. Swelling is observed mainly in the morning.
Disorders of the lymphatic system of the legs: lymphostasis, lymphovenous insufficiency. The top of the foot swells greatly, and the swelling itself resembles an elastic pillow to the touch.
Thyroid diseases: hypothyroidism causes uniform swelling of both legs in a person.
Arthritis of the foot: with this disease, there is mobility of the foot, pain and swelling in the joints, deformation of the foot itself and its toes.
Injuries: with bruises and fractures of the bones of the feet, a person develops swelling, which is localized at the site of the bruise (fracture).
Diabetic arthropathy: When the joints of the legs are affected, diabetics develop swelling and redness of the feet. As arthropathy progresses, it can cause deformation of the toes and shortening of the foot.

There are other causes of swollen feet:

taking hormonal medications;
bites of poisonous insects and snakes;
pregnancy.

What to do if your feet are swollen?

First of all, a person who notices constant swelling of his legs should consult a doctor and undergo all the necessary tests in order to find out the cause of the deviation. Usually, in the process of treating the root cause of leg swelling, their condition gradually returns to normal.

1) For cardiac swelling of the feet, the patient is prescribed loop diuretics, which quickly remove excess water from the body, which is why the swelling quickly decreases. To normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system in order to prevent blood stagnation, cardiac glycosides are used. To treat swelling of the feet, herbal remedies with diuretic herbs can be taken (after consultation with the doctor).

2) For thrombosis of the leg veins, the patient is prescribed blood thinners (anticoagulants). Wearing elastic bandages and compression stockings can prevent swelling of the feet and legs, which is characteristic of vein thrombosis.

3) In case of varicose veins, the use of ointments and creams for the treatment of this disease can relieve swelling of the legs. Venotonics (Troxevasin, Troxerutin) help strengthen the walls of the veins and relieve swelling. To prevent swelling of the feet in this disease, it is necessary to wear comfortable shoes and compression garments.

4) For kidney diseases, to relieve swelling in the legs, in addition to the main treatment, the patient is prescribed diuretics. These herbal remedies not only treat inflammatory processes in the kidneys and urinary tract, but also help remove excess fluid from the body.

5) For swelling of the feet caused by stagnation of lymph in the extremities, a diet enriched with protein, vegetable fats and vitamins is prescribed. The consumption of salt, smoked meats, animal fat, baked goods, sugar and preservatives is limited during lymph stagnation. The patient is also prescribed physiotherapy (hydromassage, lymphatic drainage massage, laser therapy and magnetic therapy) and medications (venotonics, homeopathic medicines and vitamins).

6) Arthritis of the foot is treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and chondroprotectors. Physical therapy, exercise therapy, and the use of orthopedic devices also help improve the well-being of a patient with swollen foot joints.

7) For diseases of the thyroid gland that cause swelling of the legs, hormonal drugs and diuretics are prescribed.

8) As for leg injuries, treatment and recovery period in this case will depend on the severity of the injury. Typically, swelling of the foot goes away with the restoration of soft tissues after a bruise (fusion of bones during a fracture). If a person has suffered a bruise to his leg, then to prevent the development of swelling, a cold compress should be applied to the foot as soon as possible.

9) If a pregnant woman’s legs swell, she should tell the doctor who is caring for the pregnancy about this. To treat swelling on the feet in pregnant women, a salt-free diet is prescribed, as well as taking some herbal remedies.

If a healthy person has swollen feet and toes, then you can take note of some methods that will help cope with the problem:

Proper nutrition: limiting salt intake and introducing foods with a diuretic effect into the diet helps prevent fluid retention in the body. It is also important to maintain a drinking regime.
If your feet are prone to swelling, then a person should choose the most comfortable shoes for himself.
To improve the condition of your feet, you can take cool baths with sea salt. However, this treatment method is not suitable for patients with vascular diseases of the legs.
To strengthen blood vessels and normalize lymph flow, it is useful to do special exercises every day.
Special tonic and decongestant ointments (Lioton 1000, Troxevasin, Heparin ointment, etc.) are excellent for removing swelling, but these drugs can only be used if they have been prescribed by a doctor.
For swelling, it is useful to make tonic compresses for the legs. An application of fresh cabbage leaves perfectly relieves heaviness in the legs. To perform the procedure, take 2 large leaves, beat them to release the juice and place them on top of the affected areas for 20 minutes.
A ten-minute ice massage on your feet will also help relieve swelling and fatigue.
Herbal baths also help relieve swelling of the fingers and feet. To prepare the bath, take equal proportions of rowan, wormwood and calendula leaves. A tablespoon of herbs is poured into a glass of boiling water. Then the infusion must be poured into a basin and the required volume of water added. Place your feet in the basin and take a bath for 10 minutes.
Large beets are grated on a fine grater, then the resulting mass is laid out on 2 pieces of gauze and compresses are applied to both ankles. The duration of the procedure is 30 minutes.
Mix 2 parts castor oil with 1 part turpentine. At night, rub your fingers and feet with the resulting product, then put on socks all night.

Often, to treat edema caused by certain diseases, doctors prescribe diuretics to patients. You cannot choose and take such drugs on your own, as they can cause damage to your health. As for the use of folk remedies for swelling on the legs, the advisability of such treatment should be discussed with a doctor in advance.

When a person first sees swelling in his legs, the first thing he experiences is fear and a desire to get rid of it quickly.

Of course, edema often indicates severe heart or kidney disease, but before you grab medications or folk remedies for edema, you need to find out as accurately as possible why your legs swell, and for this it is wise to consult a doctor, and not rush to the Internet with a request “swelling of the legs, what to do.”

All edema is divided into several groups depending on the reasons that cause them (see details). The main approaches to treatment depend on this.

Orthostatic edema due to forced positions.
Edema in nephrotic syndrome due to renal pathologies (glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis) or systemic diseases (amyloidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, lymphogranulomatosis, diabetes), as well as nephropathy in pregnant women.
Cardiac edema with circulatory failure (with heart defects, heart rhythm disturbances and coronary heart disease, decompensation of the pulmonary heart).
Venous edema with thrombosis of the veins of the lower extremities.
Lymphatic edema.
Idiopathic edema in women.

What to do with swollen legs before going to the doctor?

Until the moment when a person manages to get an appointment with a specialist, it is inappropriate to leave swelling unattended. However, this does not mean that you should immediately start taking diuretics, since uncontrolled use of these drugs is fraught with a number of side effects that are not inferior in severity to the edema itself.

But the simplest measures that help reduce or relieve swelling of the legs will not cause harm to health.

First, leg swelling can be reduced by positional drainage

This method is good for eliminating edema resulting from venous stagnation or positional edema, when a person spends a long period of time in a forced position with his legs down or stands for a long time. To carry out drainage correctly, you need to raise your leg from heel to hip above the level of the body at an angle of thirty to forty-five degrees. To do this, you can lie down with a rolled-up blanket under your feet (this way, by the way, you can sleep all night without any problems) or sit down with pillows under your feet. Any amount of time, starting from half an hour, spent in this position can reduce swelling of the legs.

Limiting fluid and salt intake

Another factor that can help in the fight against swelling in the legs is limiting the liquid you drink during the day (up to two and a half liters, including soup), not drinking at night and reducing salt intake. The fact is that table salt (sodium chloride) contains sodium, which, when retained in the body, draws water into the tissue and provokes swelling. It is enough to start by refusing to add salt to ready-made dishes, and gradually reducing the addition of salt when cooking.

Simple exercises and foot massage

Also, simple physical exercises can help with swelling of the legs:

tiptoe walking
alternately raising your toes and heels while standing or sitting
dorsiflexion of the foot
splaying and curling of toes
foot massage

Self-massage of the feet and legs can also be effective, which should be started from the tips of the fingers, kneading the soles of the feet, and done for 2-5 minutes, alternating stroking, rubbing and kneading. Yoga classes are also very effective, as they help improve blood circulation and massage internal organs, which has a positive effect on metabolism and the general condition of the body.

If there is a deficiency of magnesium in the body, take dietary supplements and multivitamins

A lack of magnesium can lead to swelling of the legs, especially during pregnancy. Therefore, taking Magne B6, Magnelis B6, Magnerot, and multivitamins can significantly reduce swelling of the lower extremities. During pregnancy, you should not take magnesium supplements on your own; the dosage and course of treatment should only be prescribed by a doctor.

Taking aromatic baths or foot baths

As a solution for baths, you can use mineral water or tonic, which is used to dilute alcoholic drinks; the components contained in soda and quinine reduce swelling. Baths with drops of essential oils or Epsom salts or foot soaks with sea salt also provide relief. Any water procedures, bathing, swimming give rest and relaxation to the legs, since water pressure prevents the dilation of blood vessels and helps reduce swelling of the legs.

How to reduce leg swelling depending on the cause?

After a thorough diagnosis of edema has been carried out and its true cause has been identified, the doctor prescribes one or another treatment regimen. The duration of treatment directly depends on the origin of edema:

Orthostatic edema

Such swelling is treated with postural drainage. Cold foot baths may also be effective. To do this, immerse your legs up to your knees in a container of cool water for fifteen to thirty minutes.

Nephrotic edema

This is a more serious situation that requires a systematic approach. Since in this case the cause of swelling of the legs is a violation of renal filtration, the first step is to reduce the load on the kidneys. For this purpose, a diet is prescribed:

limiting fluid to 2 liters per day
salt up to 3 grams per day
protein up to 90-60 grams

Thus, for glomerulonephritis, glucocorticoids (prednisolone), cytostatics (cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, cyclosporine, azathioprine), and penicillin antibiotics are prescribed.
In case of post-streptococcal process and ACE inhibitors in case of arterial hypertension (enalapril, ramipril).
Systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis are also treated with hormones and cytostatics.
Nephropathy due to diabetes requires the use of insulins or hypoglycemic drugs such as sulfonylureas (glibenclamide, gliclazide, gliquidone, glimeprimidone), biguanides (metformin), thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone), alpha-glycoidase blockers (acarbol).

The swelling itself is resolved by prescribing diuretics (furosemide, indapamide). If conservative measures are ineffective, dialysis is prescribed, that is, hardware blood purification, which replaces the natural function of the kidneys.

Cardiac edema

Cardiac pathologies that lead to swelling of the legs also require complex treatment. Treatment begins with a diet (restriction of water and salt load). You also need to adjust your weight and reduce the risk of developing atherosclerosis by balancing vegetable and animal fats in your diet and taking anti-atherosclerotic medications (see: vasilip, simvastatin, astorvostatin, rosuvostatin). Smoking, which constricts blood vessels, and alcohol, which has a direct toxic effect on the heart, are contraindicated.

Chronic heart failure is treated using:

drugs that increase myocardial contractility - cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, strophanthin
drugs that reduce vascular tone:
- ACE inhibitors - berlipril, enalapril, diroton, ramipril
- angiotensin receptor blockers - losartan, valsartan
- nitrates - nitrosorbide
diuretics - hypothiazide, spironolactone, indapamide, furosemide
drugs that reduce the load on the heart: beta blockers - metoprolol, betaloc ZOK, bisoprolol, carvedilol, nebivalol

Heart defects are subject to surgical correction; in case of weakness of the sinus node, artificial pacemakers are installed, and in case of ischemic disease and after heart attacks, coronary artery bypass grafting is used.

Venous edema

Venous edema is one of the most common types of leg swelling. Their cause may be hidden in varicose veins or vein thrombosis (see).

In case of venous insufficiency, the first measures that help eliminate swelling are positional drainage and compression bandaging of the legs. Today, instead of bandages, specialized compression stockings are often used (see). Both bandaging and stockings should be applied in the morning, without getting out of bed in a lying position, while the blood has not yet stagnated in the veins against the background of the day's load.

Since venous stagnation can be caused by increased intra-abdominal pressure, you should avoid lifting heavy objects and combat constipation. The diet for vein pathology should not contain spices, pepper, it is advisable to give up alcohol and smoking (see).

Venotonics (venitan, antistax, troxevasin), rutosides (venolan, venoruton, ginkor forte), saponins (escusan), diosmin, .
If the veins are completely incompetent, they are switched off from the bloodstream with the help of venous sclerosing drugs (hepatrombin or ethoxysclerol), which are injected into the veins or removed surgically.
Even in case of venous pathologies, it is recommended to improve capillary blood flow with the help of pentoxifylline and low molecular weight dextrans.
Thrombotic complications are treated with direct (heparin) or indirect (phenindione, coumarin derivatives) anticoagulants.
In case of acute thrombosis in a surgical hospital, heparins are administered followed by a switch to warfarin or surgery is performed.

Lymphedema

Lymphatic edema (lymphedema) is the result of impaired drainage through the lymph vessels. They accompany congenital anomalies or blockage of lymphatic vessels, malignant tumors. In this case, as a rule, one leg swells.

With this form of edema, the condition is somewhat alleviated with the help of:
- positional drainage
- compression bandages or garments
- foot massage

Physical therapy and physiotherapeutic methods are also prescribed:
- Pneumatic massage boils down to the fact that with the help of a special apparatus, a rising wave of increased pressure is formed over the area of influence, which acts for 1 to 7 minutes and drives lymph from the periphery of the limb to the central ducts.
- With kinesiology taping A network of adhesive tape is applied in the projection of the lymphatic vessels. Which lifts areas of soft tissue, stimulating the outflow of lymph.

Contraindications to physical therapy are acute infectious and skin processes, tumors,. There are also surgical techniques for restoring lymphatic drainage pathways by creating anastomoses between the lymphatic and venous systems.

Swelling of the legs in pregnant women

The legs of a pregnant woman bear a double load, so all the conditions are created for venous stagnation. The situation is aggravated by compression of the inferior vena cava by the pregnant uterus, as well as difficult ventilation of the lungs and increased demands on the heart. Therefore, often in healthy pregnant women, after a whole day, especially if it is spent on feet shod in narrow shoes, the feet or ankles of the feet swell. It is usually enough to lie down for a while with a blanket under your feet to let the swelling go down.

The situation becomes more serious when swelling in a pregnant woman is the result of gestosis or nephropathy (see). These situations require observation by a doctor and timely medication correction. Often such women are offered hospitalization in an obstetric hospital, which should not be neglected in order to maintain the pregnancy. After all, if a future mother’s legs swell, what to do should be decided by a competent doctor, who will be responsible for the baby’s health.

How are diuretics selected?

The basis of the kidney is the nephron, which contains the vascular glomerulus, its capsule and a system of afferent and efferent tubules connected by a loop. The efferent tubule passes into the collecting duct, which flows into the renal pelvis. The glomerulus filters blood plasma and turns it into primary urine. Along the tubules, some of the water, as well as sodium, potassium and chloride ions, are partially reabsorbed.

Different classes of diuretics are preferred for different causes of leg swelling.

Saluretics are diuretics whose effect is based on the removal of potassium and magnesium ions. These include:
- thiazide (hypothiazide, cyclomethiazide)
- sulfonamides (indapamide, chlorthalidone, clopamide)
- loop (furosemide, lasix, torasemide, ethacrynic acid, bumetanide)
- carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (diacarb, acetazolamide).
Osmotic diuretics (urea, beckons) work due to the difference in osmotic pressure in the tubules, which prevents the reabsorption of water.
Potassium-sparing diuretics (amiloride, triamterene, spironolactone, veroshpirone, eplerenone) work in the efferent tubule, interfering with potassium loss.

By efficiency	Diuretics are strong - furosemide, lasix, tripas, uregit, brinaldix, clopamd, ethacrynic acid medium strength - hypothiazide, hygroton, cyclomethiazide, oxodoline weak - veroshpiron, diacarb, triamterene
By duration of action	Eplerenone, chlorthalidone, veroshpiron work for a long time (up to four days) Medium-term (up to 14 hours) are diacarb, hypothiazide, clopamide, triamterene, indapamide Short-acting diuretics (up to 8 hours) are beckons, lasix, furosemide. Torsemide, ethacrynic acid
According to the speed of onset of action	secrete fast diuretics (begin to act after half an hour): furosemide, ethacrynic acid, torasemide, triamterene medium (after 2 hours): amiloride, diacarb slow (after 2 days): veroshpirone, eplerenone

Diuretics are selected as follows:

For chronic heart failure and nephrotic syndrome, loop diuretics are preferred.
Osteoporosis requires the use of thiazides.
Indapamide is used for metabolic disorders and diabetes.
Spironolactone is indicated for increased secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal glands.
Arterial hypertension is treated with thiazides and indapamide.
Severe swelling of the legs due to heart failure requires parenteral administration of Lasix or furosemide.

It should be remembered that treatment of edema should begin not with taking diuretics, but with a trip to the doctor, in order to establish the true cause of edema as early as possible and receive adequate advice on what to do when the legs swell.

Edema of the lower extremities is an unpleasant condition that affects women and men. The appearance of swelling of the legs indicates pathological changes in the body; in a healthy person, a similar nuisance is not excluded. Pregnant women often suffer from swelling; the condition becomes a real torment for expectant mothers.

Edema refers to the accumulation of fluid that is unnecessary for the body in tissues. Small capillaries located throughout the body absorb processed excess fluid and transport it through the vessels of the venous system for further use or removal from the body. The following factors can disrupt the natural course of the process:

Deterioration of the throughput of vessel walls;
Changes in pressure in peripheral vessels;
Increased protein or sodium content in the blood.

When the described mechanism fails, swelling appears on the feet and other parts of the body.

Leg swelling

Wrong diet. Stagnation of fluid in the tissues causes eating food with large amounts of liquid and drinking too much. Adjust the menu.
Swelling occurs in hot weather, when the body activates protective reactions, trying to prevent the body from overheating. The process consists of dilating peripheral vessels, leading to a decrease in pressure and disruption of the removal of unnecessary fluid remaining in the tissues.
Swelling often occurs in pregnant women. The longer the pregnancy, the higher the likelihood of swelling of the feet and other parts of the body. Under the influence of hormones, blood vessels dilate and sodium is retained.
Sometimes microcirculation of fluid in tissues is disrupted due to constant wearing of uncomfortable, tight shoes, high-heeled shoes, which compress the feet, disrupting the normal circulation of blood and fluid in the lower extremities.

Malfunction of the body

These reasons provoke the occurrence of swelling of the legs in people who do not have health problems. But there is a category of the population that is susceptible to swelling due to the development of pathologies of blood vessels and veins (inflammation, thrombosis or varicose veins), diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, and lymph stagnation in the lower extremities. Swelling of the feet and parts of the body are constant companions of gestosis, problems with the thyroid gland and diabetes.

The first signs of stagnation in the tissues appear in the form of marks from the elastic of socks, a feeling of discomfort when wearing shoes that were previously perceived as convenient and comfortable.

A change in the shape of the foot is a sure sign of swelling. If regular swelling of the legs is caused by physiological reasons, symptoms appear at the end of a busy day. This condition is caused by eating food that contributes to the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues, and prolonged exposure to the street during the heat. Such swelling will not spread above the level of the shin; after resting in a horizontal position, it will gradually disappear. Doctors recommend lying down more often with your legs above body level, placing a pillow or small ottoman under your limbs.

Edema caused by pathologies and developing diseases is not easy to relieve without the use of medications.

Each type of disease has an individual type of edema:

The swelling caused by varicose veins is located asymmetrically and is accompanied by pain and heaviness in the legs.
If the edema is the result of thrombosis, one limb swells. Moreover, a constant burning sensation is felt along the length of the inflamed vein, and the skin around it turns red.
With diseases of the cardiovascular system, both legs swell; when you press on the affected area, marks remain that do not immediately disappear.
Kidney diseases lead to swelling of the eyes, and in case of complications - to swelling of the legs. A sign of kidney disease is increased pallor of the patient's skin.
Dense swelling, which leaves no trace when pressed, is caused by problems in the thyroid gland.

Taking care of your feet

Basic principles of treatment

To determine the cause of swelling, consult a doctor. It is impossible to cure swelling without treating the underlying disease; deal with problems related to fluid stagnation in the tissues. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe a diuretic medicine, in the form of tablets, injections or droppers, selected for a specific case.

The steps described below will help you improve your well-being, reduce or completely eliminate swelling of your legs at home.

Regularly perform a light foot massage, with movements directed from bottom to top.
Squeeze and unclench your toes, rotate your feet, roll a small ball on the floor. Simple exercises will help reduce fluid stagnation in tissues.

A relaxing cool bath will relieve tired legs after a working day. Add sea salt, herbal infusions or essential oils to the water.

Legs above heart level

Home medicine

Diuretic infusions of birch buds, horsetail or knotweed, decoctions of flaxseed and elderberries taken at night help in the fight against swelling. An effective folk medicine made from black radish juice with the addition of bee honey. Parsley (greens and roots) has a healing effect.

The products are safe for health. However, before using, consult your doctor about the consequences of folk remedies!

By following simple tips to prevent the appearance of edema, a person will protect his legs from unpleasant and painful sensations.

Choose comfortable shoes. If a woman prefers high heels, it is recommended to take off her shoes several times during the day and give her feet a rest.
Watch your diet, trying to minimize salt intake.
During the workday, during breaks, try to perform simple exercises that will help relax your lower limbs. It is better to perform the complex without shoes. Walk around the room, jump a little, stand on your toes, roll from heels to toes.

Do not limit your fluid intake unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Depriving the body of the usual volume of fluid sometimes leads to greater accumulation in the tissues, and the body begins to stock up for future use. It is recommended for an adult to consume 1.5 - 2 liters of fluid per day, the volume can be increased if desired.

Many people, including completely healthy people, are faced with the problem of swelling of the legs. This disease is more relevant for the fair half of humanity. This phenomenon may indicate the presence of a disease in the body. Therefore, it is worth knowing the main reasons why leg swelling occurs in order to prevent adverse consequences and provide timely treatment, including folk remedies. And today’s article will be devoted precisely to this topic.

Edema of the lower extremities cannot be called a disease. But it is worth noting that it is a symptom of a possible illness and a cause for concern.

Swelling of the legs or arms is an expansion of tissues due to fluid retention in them. Edema of the lower extremities occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the soft tissue space. This happens because the body cannot cope with the entire volume of fluid and is not able to eliminate the excess. There is swelling not only of the upper and lower extremities, but also of individual parts of the body. For example, fingers, toes and even organs often also swell.

In simple terms, a phenomenon such as edema can occur due to the action of ordinary gravity.

That is, when a person remains in a standing (sitting) position for a long time, fluid tends to flow to the feet. And if the special valves in the arteries of the legs that counteract gravity are weakened, swelling may occur. The problem that arises can lead not only to the accumulation of water in the tissues, but also to varicose veins.

Swelling of the legs, the causes of which in most cases are harmless, can become harbingers of serious diseases. And the factors that provoke stagnation of fluid in tissues include:

excess weight;
flat feet;
impaired metabolism;
malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;
regular loads on the legs.

There are also more serious causes of swelling in the legs. You can combine them into a whole list.

This reason, which results in swelling of the lower extremities, is the most common. In this case, the phenomenon of swelling indicates that the flow of blood is impaired, and the hydrostatic pressure in the veins increases. As a rule, external changes are impermanent. Legs swell mainly in the evening. Especially if a person spends almost the whole day standing.

In the morning, swelling may not be observed, but it may return again in the evening. Such manifestations often occur only on one limb. Signs of edema become more noticeable after a certain period if timely treatment is not carried out.

Among the large number of factors that make up the causes of swelling in the feet, incorrectly selected shoes are far from the last place. Very high heels, as well as flat soles, when worn for a long time, may well provoke the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues. Therefore, experts recommend wearing the most comfortable shoes so that they are spacious for the foot, and so that the toes are in a natural position when walking. As a preventive measure, it is better to wear shoes, boots and other footwear with a small wedge (heel).

Those who suffer from serious kidney disease experience severe swelling in their legs. Swelling can spread to both legs. Its localization sites are the dorsal parts of the limbs. At the same time, there may be accumulations of excess water in the form of dark circles under the eyes. Swelling is accompanied by a change in the color of urine.

This disease causes disturbances in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the lymph flow, leading to its stagnation. Due to changes in the processes of water metabolism, swelling occurs, which makes the limbs look like “elephant” ones.

Another reason on this list is problems with the thyroid gland. As a result of this disease, swelling occurs in the legs, which are characterized by an elastic structure and are accompanied by a lethargic state, constant drowsiness, chills and constipation. In addition, you can observe the accumulation of fluids on the shoulders and tongue.

With thrombophlebitis of the superficial and deep veins, the legs often swell. These phenomena are accompanied by heat, redness and pain along the vein.

Neurological and endocrine diseases

These causes of edema that require treatment are also not uncommon. In neurological diseases (syringomyelia, poliomyelitis, stroke with consequences in the form of paralysis of the legs), swelling in the legs occurs against the background of impaired capillary permeability. They are usually of moderate size.

With diseases of the endocrine system, dense swelling occurs. Over such areas of accumulation of excess fluid, the skin does not fold, and when pressing on the swelling, no trace remains.

Heart diseases

Heart failure, thrombophlebitis, etc. are common causes of excess fluid accumulation in tissues. Cardiac edema of the lower extremities occurs against the background of a variety of diseases of the cardiovascular system, which include vascular aneurysm, heart defects, cardiomyopathy and previous myocardial infarction. Concomitant factors for swelling of the legs are: arrhythmia, shortness of breath, an increase in the size of the heart.

You can determine when the lower extremities swell due to cardiac dysfunction by characteristic signs:

symmetrical location on both limbs;
areas of fluid accumulation become soft;
when pressed, the consistency of the tissue resembles dough, leaving a fingerprint;
blue areas of the skin above the swelling;
skin is cold.

An increase in the size of swelling is observed in the late afternoon. Prolonged existence of swelling can provoke the appearance of dermatitis and cracks.

At the slightest manifestation of cardiac edema in the legs, it is worth contacting a specialist so that, based on the results of the examination and diagnosis, he can prescribe adequate treatment.

A very common phenomenon is swelling in the legs (in the ankle area) in the last weeks of pregnancy. Such changes in the body are not critical. In this case, the accumulation of excess fluid in the lower extremities, the causes of which are associated with changes in the hormonal levels of the expectant mother, can be determined by a noticeable weight gain. If it is normal for a woman in the “position” to gain about 300 grams of weight per week, then if edema forms, the weight can immediately increase by 1.5-2 kg.

The legs of expectant mothers also swell if nephropathy occurs. Kidney pathology in pregnant women can be detected by swelling in the legs, test results (there will be an increased level of protein in the urine) and arterial hypertension.

In addition, women's legs swell with premenstrual syndrome. Such changes are caused by hormonal imbalance in the female body in the 2nd half of the cycle. In this case, treatment, including folk remedies, does not need to be carried out - after the discharge stops, the swelling of the legs and feet disappears.

https://youtu.be/z0IT_HrcfSw

Treatment of edema of the lower extremities can be carried out using both traditional methods and folk remedies. In addition, there is a special set of exercises that help get rid of accumulated excess fluid in the tissues of the lower extremities.

Before you begin treating edema, you must consult a doctor. He will help determine the reasons that caused the accumulation of fluid and prescribe the correct treatment.

Medications that relieve symptoms and relieve swelling include:

Essaven Gel ointment, which helps improve blood circulation by eliminating microthrombi in blood vessels and strengthening capillaries.
Heparin ointment, which has a similar effect to the previous drug and, in addition, relieves inflammation.
"Troxevasin", which has a cooling, analgesic effect, and also strengthens the walls of veins and blood vessels.
"Venitan" and other ointments that contain horse chestnut.
"Lyoton."

All of the above products contain heparin and rutin. These substances have a beneficial effect on the capillary system, strengthening the walls of blood vessels, veins, capillaries and relieving swelling.

Physical exercises for swelling of the lower extremities

To relieve swelling in the legs, you can perform a complex consisting of the following exercises:

Tighten and splay your toes throughout the day.
Walk on your toes for 2-3 minutes.
After taking off your shoes and socks, try to get a pen or a small ball from the floor.
Rotate your feet alternately counterclockwise and clockwise.
Standing on your toes, stand for a few seconds, then perform 5 light jumps.
For those who have a sedentary job, the following exercise for swelling is suitable: you need to alternately raise your toe throughout the day, meanwhile pressing your heel to the floor and vice versa.

Both drug treatment and alternative medicine methods require a preliminary examination of the edema by a doctor. Having found out the reasons why your legs swell and fluid accumulates in the tissues, you can turn to proven methods. These include:

A diuretic consisting of equal parts of freshly squeezed beet, carrot and cucumber juice. 80 ml of this “cocktail” acts like 1 diuretic tablet and helps relieve swelling.
Medicine for swelling of the legs resulting from kidney pathology and heart disease, in the form of a powder (infusion) from garden parsley. It should be consumed three to five times a day before meals. The dose for one dose is 0.5-1 g. You need to take the medicine with warm water, boiled in advance.
A decoction of astragalus for swelling. It is prepared from 10 gr. plants steamed in 250 ml of boiling water. The infusion, cooled to room temperature, should be filtered and taken 2-3 times a day, 2.5 tbsp. l. within 14 days. Then take a three-day break and continue the course. In total, treatment with this remedy can last from 4 months to six months.

Also, treatment of edema of the lower extremities with folk remedies includes making ointments at home. We offer 2 options for preparing such products:

Add 1 part turpentine to 2 parts of heated castor oil. Rub the resulting mixture onto the areas of your legs where excess fluid has accumulated. It is advisable to wear simple cotton socks after the procedure.
The yolk of one egg must be mixed with 1 tbsp. l. apple cider vinegar and 1 tsp. turpentine. The resulting mixture should be rubbed vigorously into the swollen areas of the legs.
Elderberry leaves, which must be steamed before application, will help with swelling and varicose veins. Cabbage leaves will also save you from discomfort and swelling. To do this, they should be washed and applied to areas that swell.

Before starting treatment, you should definitely find the reasons that provoked the phenomenon of edema. Only a complete examination by a doctor and diagnosis can help get rid of the accumulation of fluids in the soft tissues. Based on the recommendations of specialists, you can avoid adverse consequences and maintain your health.

Swelling of the legs is a consequence of many diseases. One of the main reasons for the development of edema is a violation of the venous system (CVI, varicose veins, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis). The progression of any of the diseases of blood vessels and veins can lead to serious consequences (disability, death).

Treatment of leg swelling should begin with identifying the cause of the swelling. Since edema can be a sign of many diseases, cases of errors in prescribing treatment are not uncommon.

For example, a patient (complaining of edema) with obvious symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency is prescribed treatment to eliminate them. Meanwhile, the patient developed other pathologies that could cause swelling (kidney disease, circulatory failure). Therefore, it is very important to conduct a thorough diagnosis to establish a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Isolated manifestations of edema can occur in cases of: prolonged periods without movement, heavy load on the legs, excess weight, pregnancy, uncomfortable shoes, etc.

If swelling of the lower extremities often occurs, the reasons that provoked its appearance may be:

Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins;
Poor circulation in the venous system (deep vein thrombosis);
Lymphedema (lymphostasis);
Heart diseases (myocardium, ischemic attacks, heart disease);
Kidney diseases (glomerulonephritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic kidney disease);
Cirrhosis of the liver;
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the lower extremities.

Among the factors that contribute to the development of the disease are:

Disorders of lymph outflow.
Increased pressure in the capillaries;
Decreased blood plasma pressure;
Permeability of blood vessels and capillaries.

Edema of the lower extremities can be of two types:

Localized. This swelling is caused by the accumulation of fluid in a certain area of the body or organ. Occurs in cases of disturbances in the venous system (deformation of capillaries and blood vessels, disturbances in the outflow of lymph).
Generalized. Edema occurs against the background of water imbalance in the body. More often occurs against the background of chronic heart failure, liver disease, and pregnancy. There are frequent cases of generalized swelling in the legs as a result of taking laxatives, which cause a loss of potassium in the body.

The most common cause of leg swelling is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Such swelling occurs due to increased pressure in the venous system, which contributes to deformation of the walls of veins and blood vessels. The venous wall becomes thinner, large molecular proteins (hemoglobin, blood elements, fibrinogen) begin to enter the fibrous connective tissue.

In the first stages of venous insufficiency, excess fluid is removed using lymphatic drainage. Such moments are clearly noticeable - swelling of the leg forms in the evening, and goes away in the morning. Subsequently, the pressure on the veins increases more strongly. The lymphatic system can no longer cope with the rapid removal of fluid. If you do not take measures for prompt treatment, you can provoke the development of a serious disease - lymphedema.

Swelling can occur on both legs or on one limb. If only one leg swells, in most cases, such swelling is a consequence of the development of diseases: chronic venous insufficiency, lymphedema, venous thrombosis, osteoarthritis. Cases of swelling of both extremities indicate problems: kidneys, liver, heart. Cases of swelling of both legs due to medications (for example, hormonal) are not uncommon.

In the initial stages of venous insufficiency, patients complain of swelling in the lower extremities, which is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the legs, numbness of the calf muscles, and general weakness. As the disease progresses, in addition to swelling, severe pain, discoloration of the skin on the legs, and the appearance of trophic ulcers may occur.

With kidney disease, swelling can appear in the anterior abdominal cavity, on the face and even on the genitals. From alcohol or vitamin deficiencies, swelling occurs in the foot and lower leg. At the same time, the face becomes swollen.

With heart disease, swelling increases gradually. Diagnosis reveals an enlarged liver. Thickening of the veins in the neck appears.

Diagnostics

If swelling of the lower extremities does not appear in isolated cases, it is time to visit a doctor. If there are signs of CVI, you need to visit a phlebologist. The doctor will conduct a visual examination and prescribe a diagnostic examination (duplex scanning of veins, X-ray contrast venography, tomography, etc.).

It is important to measure venous pressure in case of edema. In addition, the doctor visually analyzes the affected areas and takes a medical history.

If, in addition to the legs, swelling appears on the face or lower back, you need to contact a nephrologist.

Treatment of leg swelling in chronic venous insufficiency should begin with the patient limiting long-term stress on the lower extremities.

With severe swelling, the patient needs complete rest. He is recommended to lie down more, with his legs elevated. You can place a bolster under your feet.

After examination, patients are prescribed compression therapy, which consists of wearing compression stockings or bandages. Compression garments are selected individually for each patient. In addition, swelling is relieved using hardware pneumocompression (20 procedures of 40 minutes each).

An addition to the treatment of edema of the lower extremities is the use of phlebotropic drugs (Phlebodia 600, Anistax, Detralex). Such drugs improve venous tone, strengthen vascular walls, and relieve inflammatory processes. Also, phlebotonics improves lymphatic drainage, reduces the distensibility of veins, and eliminates venous congestion. To get rid of heaviness in the legs and restore skin function, ointments, creams and gels are used.

Surgical interventions for edema depend on the form and stage of the disease. For example, surgery is prescribed when conservative treatment does not have a positive effect and swelling continues to increase. Trophic ulcers on the skin begin to appear. The choice of surgery in such cases depends on the general condition of the patient and the cause of the disease. Most often, the affected veins are removed.

If swelling occurs due to the progression of varicose veins, then the patient is prescribed a 3-month course of conservative treatment (therapeutic knitwear, medications, pneumocompression). Only after conservative treatment, which eliminates swelling, are operations (phlebectomy, laser coagulation) performed to remove varicose veins.

In conclusion, it should be noted that if sudden swelling of the legs is often detected, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is impossible to start the development of pathology. Progression of the disease can cause long-term treatment, and sometimes disability for life.

Phleboprotectors are used to prevent and treat swelling of the legs during CVI. Preparations containing diosmin very quickly relieve inflammation and eliminate venous congestion.

Edema syndrome (swelling of the legs) is an accumulation of fluid in some tissues and the intercellular space of the lower extremities, in which they increase in volume against the background of changes in elasticity and turgor.

Such pathological changes occur most often in the legs due to the heavy load on them during the day. The possibility and degree of edema growth depend on the balance of fluid in the body between the vessels and the intercellular space.

Why the legs swell, the causes of swelling of the lower extremities and signs of what diseases this condition may be - we will consider in the article.

Edema syndrome is differentiated primarily by appearance:

local (local) edema is usually associated with impaired fluid circulation in a certain area;
general edema is a manifestation of fluid imbalance in the patient’s body.

Why do my legs swell? This question worries even absolutely healthy people when, in a hot climate or rich salty food, they experience swelling of the legs

Note! To find out the origin of edema, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination and determine the causes of the painful condition.

Slight swelling of the legs, most often, is a temporary phenomenon and appears for several reasons:

swelling in the evening can be a consequence of fatigue, suffered a high load on the legs during the day, but it is better to consult a therapist to prevent varicose veins, which affect the veins of the legs;
drinking plenty of fluids in the evening or before bed is often the driving factor behind swollen feet;
the causes of swelling of the lower extremities may be hidden in prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position (crossed legs, on a low or too high chair);
leg injuries can often cause a local form of swelling along with pain in the affected area (bruises, sprains, fractures);
allergic diseases, as a rule, they are manifested not only by swelling, but also by a rash, sneezing, coughing and shortness of breath, increased lacrimation and dizziness - they will go away on their own after taking anti-allergen drugs and stopping contact with the allergen that caused it;

slight swelling of the legs in the last trimester of pregnancy is a reason to consult with a women's doctor to rule out gestosis(late toxicosis during pregnancy);
side effect of taking medications(hormonal, antihypertensive, etc.);
swelling after illness caused by acute infection, may be an indicator of kidney complications.

With prolonged swelling of the lower extremities, it is necessary to find out why the legs are swollen, and you should undergo a medical examination to determine the causes of this symptom. Such swelling of the legs most often indicates a serious chronic illness.

There is a classification of edema according to the systemic diseases that accompany it:

1. Heartfelt- appear in heart disease, also manifest as symptoms of cardiac disorders (palpitations, shortness of breath, chest pain), which develop gradually.

Location: symmetrical swelling of the ankles, legs (if the patient walks), in the lumbar region (for bedridden patients).

2. Renal edema appears gradually or quickly, are localized on the face, legs, lower back, etc., sometimes accompanied by increased pressure, they are symptoms of glomerulonephritis and nephropathy.

An ultrasound examination reveals an increased size of the kidneys, as well as other signs of the disease: lower back pain, blood in the urine, increased blood pressure, anemia.

3. Edema in liver diseases inherent in patients with severe pathologies, manifested by the following symptoms: yellowness of the skin, swelling in the abdominal area, various digestive disorders (diarrhea, constipation, flatulence), a state of general weakness, weight loss, high temperature, deterioration of memory and time orientation (encephalopathy), hepatic coma .

4. Venous diseases of the legs(thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, etc.) - the cause is often a blockage of a vein with a blood clot, when one leg swells (which turns blue and hurts), or in a chronic form, when swelling in the lower third of the leg disappears in the morning and increases in the afternoon due to vertical body position;

5. Inflammatory joint diseases(arthrosis, etc.) - manifested by local swelling over the affected joint, and this area is characterized by increased temperature and pain when moving.

6. Lymphostasis- impaired circulation of lymph in the body, which causes symmetrical swelling of the legs from bottom to top; with secondary lymphodema, deformation of the leg and the development of elephantiasis are possible.

The pathological causes of edema are varied, so you should not make a diagnosis yourself 7. Endocrine edema possible with hypothyroidism, accompanied by other symptoms of thyroid disease: bradycardia, decreased metabolism, depression, deep voice, etc.

To diagnose the cause of edematous syndrome, a comprehensive examination is carried out, including:

visual examination and questioning of the patient by a doctor;
blood tests (general and biochemical), urine tests;
Ultrasound examination of organs;
tests for hormones and blood sugar;
electrocardiogram.

Table. Diseases whose symptoms are swelling of the legs

Types of diseases	Names of diseases	Symptoms and consequences
Heartfelt	Arterial hypertension	High blood pressure
	Lung diseases	Accompanied by high pressure in their vessels
	Heart defects	They can be congenital or appear after diseases such as rheumatism, etc.
	Angina pectoris	Lack of blood flowing to the heart, which impairs its function
	Myocarditis	Inflammation in the heart muscle
	Cardiomyopathy	Heart disease due to metabolic disorders and changes
	Arrhythmias	Abnormal contraction of the heart muscle due to rhythm disturbances, which reduces blood flow
Venous diseases	Varicose veins of the legs	Increased varicose pressure in the legs and veins
Venous diseases	Thrombophlebitis	Damage to the deep veins of the legs
Lung diseases	Chronic obstructive pulmonary lesions	Bronchitis in smokers, etc.
	Defects in the development of the pulmonary respiratory system	Congenital diseases
	Infectious diseases	Sarcoidosis
	Bronchial asthma in severe form
	Frequent inflammatory diseases in the lungs	Pneumonia
Kidney diseases	Pyelonephritis	Inflammatory disease of the renal pelvis
	Glomerulonephritis	Inflammation of kidney tissue
	Tumors	Benign and malignant
	Kidney injuries	They have symptoms such as swelling of the legs, which is why they require timely assistance from a doctor
Liver diseases	Chronic hepatitis, tumors and cirrhosis of the liver	Severe types of pathologies that cause swelling of the lower extremities
Allergic edema	Quincke	Swelling of the face and other parts of the body, severe reaction after contact with an allergen
Swelling due to joint diseases	Rheumatoid arthritis	The limbs swell in the areas of large joints, movements are difficult and painful, often occurring 2-3 weeks after acute tonsillitis
	Reactive arthritis	Damage to the knee joints and genitourinary system, fever, accompanied by conjunctivitis, lacrimation, discharge from the genitals
	Rheumatoid arthritis	It is of an autoimmune nature, affecting small joints in the foot area of the lower extremities and hands
	Infectious arthritis	Caused by the penetration of infection into the joint cavity after injury through the blood and lymphatic vessels
	Gouty arthritis	Expressed in swelling of the joints of the limbs and severe excruciating pain, most often in the area of the big toe, the pain goes away after a few days
Infectious diseases (purulent-inflammatory)	Erysipelas	Damage to the skin by streptococci, red spots with swelling appear, accompanied by general malaise
	Lymphadenitis	Inflammatory process in the lymph node under the skin
	Boils (boils)	An inflamed abscess with surrounding swelling of the skin and tissue underneath it
	Osteomyelitis	A purulent inflammatory process in the bone, accompanied by swelling, malaise and pain with impaired movement

Some medications causeswelling of the lower extremities. Why is this happening? Chemicals promote fluid retention in the human body, and excess fluid forms into edema.

The most common causes of swelling in the legs are with regular use of the following medications:

Groups of glucocorticosteroids, which are prescribed by a doctor for allergic diseases, bronchial asthma, inflammation of the joints and the treatment of malignant tumors (Prednisolone, Dexamethasone, etc.).

Contraceptives, containing sex hormones that women take; similarly, in men, medications containing testosterone are prescribed for the treatment of diseases of the reproductive system and obesity; all of these drugs can also cause edema syndrome.
Drugs included in the complex for the treatment and normalization of high blood pressure ( ACE inhibitors).

It is important to know! If you adhere to the correct dosage of drugs and the doctor’s recommendations, then swelling will not appear and will not bother you during therapy.

Why the legs swell, the causes of swelling of the lower extremities in patients suffering from impaired lymphatic drainage in the body, we will consider below. The consequence of this is the accumulation of lymph in the tissues, which provokes swelling.

Lymphatic edema can be congenital or acquired and is called lymphostasis or elephantiasis.

There are several types of lymphedema, which depend on various reasons for their occurrence:

hydremic, which are caused by pathologies in the kidneys;
Cachetic - appear due to exhaustion of the body and heart disease;
congestive, caused by vascular impermeability, increased capillary pressure and decreased albumin levels in the circulatory system;
mechanical - consequences of injuries, as well as during pregnancy or tumor growth;
neuropathic, caused by diabetes or chronic alcoholism.

There are 2 types of lymphostasis:

primary- congenital, which manifests itself after the birth of a child or during puberty in adolescence;
secondary- the reasons for its appearance can be many factors: excessive stress on the legs, consumption of large amounts of fluid, changes in metabolism, varicose veins, etc.

The initial 1st stage of lymphostasis is easy: Periodic swelling of the legs is possible in the evening, which disappears in the morning after rest. At stage 1, with timely treatment and medical supervision, the disease can be overcome.

The second stage is already noted as a disease of moderate severity, and is characterized by swelling of the lower extremities, which does not go away on its own. At the same time, the process of proliferation of connective tissue begins, painful sensations on the skin, convulsions are possible, as well as rapid fatigue.

The third degree means the development of elephantiasis, an irreversible process in which fibrocystic changes in damaged tissue occur.

Be careful! Stage 3 lymphostasis causes not only swelling of the lower extremities, but also their deformation.

Severe swelling of the legs and irreversible disorders in the lymphatic system of the patient’s body can lead to sepsis or cancer, which is why it is so important to start treatment at stages 1-2 of the disease.

Swelling of the legs occurs in many people who, after a hard and stressful day of work, during which they spend a lot of time in a standing position, discover in the evening such an unpleasant painful manifestation that causes some inconvenience.

To avoid such negative feelings, you need to find their cause.

The most common causes of swelling lie in long-term and heavy stress on the lower extremities, drinking large amounts of water (especially in the evening), the patient being overweight, sitting in an uncomfortable position during the day or wearing high-heeled shoes that compress the feet, with flat feet.

After a night's rest, this swelling decreases, but may reappear in the evening. To exclude various unpleasant diseases (varicose veins, kidney disease, etc.), it is better to consult a specialist for advice.

In addition to the above reasons for leg swelling, In women, such symptoms are often associated with the hormonal cycle:

during the premenstrual period when progestin levels decrease;
in women after menopause in the form of idiopathic edema, which is manifested by stagnation of fluid in the limbs and on the face, and they are also accompanied by depression and possible weight gain;
in pregnant women in the last trimester;
in the postpartum period, when pregnancy contributed to the appearance of acute venous insufficiency and other venous diseases.

In men, the most common causes of leg swelling may be:

chronic venous insufficiency (sometimes inherited and is a family disease);
edema syndrome after heavy physical work, which was combined with heavy sweating;
in the hot season with a lack of water, tight shoes, and prolonged exercise.

Causes of edema, which are quite rare, include metabolic disorders that are associated with acute or chronic loss of protein in the patient’s body:

enteropathy(impaired protein absorption) - this phenomenon is observed in the chronic stage of enteritis, Hirschsprung and Crohn's diseases, during long-term fasting, is accompanied by atrophy of the gastrointestinal mucosa, diarrhea and causes dysproteinemic edema;
myxedema due to hypothyroidism(thyroid disease) - a strong drop in the amount of hormones, causing a decrease in metabolic protein processes, manifested by dense swelling, accompanied by dry skin, lethargy, brittle nails and other symptoms;
restrictive pericarditis or cardiomyopathy- development of excess connective tissue in the myocardium, obstructing blood flow and causing heart failure, which is accompanied by swelling of the foot and above.

Swelling of the legs can be a manifestation of very severe chronic diseases of many important organs of the human body. Therefore, it is better to entrust the exact answers to questions about why the legs swell, the causes of swelling of the lower extremities and the symptoms of what diseases they are, to a professional doctor.

Why do my legs swell? Causes of swelling of the lower extremities:

Swelling in the legs - 8 causes:

What is leg swelling?

Edema of the legs is an overflow of the cells and intercellular space of the muscle tissue of the legs with fluid. Such pathological changes most often affect the distal segments of the lower extremities - the lower leg and foot. This phenomenon is associated with the highest functional load that is performed by a person’s feet and legs during life, and their lowest position in relation to the central parts of the body when in an upright position.

All fluid in the body is located in the vascular and intercellular spaces. The possibility and degree of swelling growth depends on the balance between them.

In this self-regulating mechanism, the key links belong to:

Hydrostatic pressure of blood on the vascular wall;

Hydrodynamic characteristics of blood flow;

Indicators of osmotic and oncotic activity of plasma and intercellular space.

Leg swelling can have varying degrees of severity, but they are always evidence of an imbalance between the actual capabilities of the physiological mechanisms for regulating fluid exchange and the load on the intercellular space. Swelling of the legs can be either an adaptive normal reaction of the body to environmental conditions or the first manifestation of serious diseases.

What is leg swelling?

Symptoms of severe swelling of the legs

Causes of leg swelling

How to remove swelling from the legs?

Diuretics for swollen legs

Symptoms of severe swelling of the legs

You can understand and suspect the presence of swelling of the legs based on certain symptoms. They can have varying degrees of severity, and at the same time they can remain at a stable level or progress. In the first case, they talk about the physiological mechanisms of the appearance of edema syndrome. In the second, it’s definitely about pathology. Therefore, when considering such issues, one cannot ignore any manifestations of edema, which may indicate a dangerous disease.

The following symptoms may be considered alarming:

Pasty. It is a diffuse light penetration of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the legs in the lower third and the ankle joint area along the entire circumference on both limbs. Its presence is evidenced by light marks remaining after strong pressure on the skin of the anterior surface of the leg in the projection of the tibia. The same diagnostic value belongs to marks from socks;

Local swelling. As a rule, it is located on one or both limbs in the ankle area or around the circumference of the ankle joint;

Severe swelling of one or both legs or feet. In this case, it extends to the level of the knee joint or even higher. After pressing on the skin, a large depression remains, which does not straighten out for a long time;

Trophic skin disorders caused by edema. They occur exclusively with severe swelling, causing overstretching of the skin. Against this background, increased fluid leakage from the surface of the skin develops and cracks appear, which transform into erosions, wounds, trophic ulcers and dermatitis.

Leg swelling is not a separate disease, but a symptom that must be correctly interpreted in order to determine the possible cause of its occurrence. There are several groups of diseases manifested by swelling of the legs. All these diseases and the main differential diagnostic criteria are given in the table:

Group of causative diseases	What does swelling look like?
Swelling of the legs in healthy people, caused by overload of the lower extremities and the hydrostatic effect on the vessels of the microvasculature during a long stay in an upright position.	Both legs and feet swell to the same extent. The edema is represented by pastiness in the lower third along the entire circumference of the legs. Appears in the evening after standing or physically hard work. After rest, such swelling goes away.
Swelling of the legs as a sign of heart failure	With heart diseases accompanied by circulatory failure, constant congestion occurs in the veins. This is manifested by swelling of varying density and distribution: from mild and insignificant in the initial stages, to dense and widespread up to the knee joint during decompensation. Both limbs swell. In the morning, swelling may decrease slightly.
Swelling of the legs due to renal pathologies	The legs and feet swell most often in nephritic syndrome and severe renal failure. Equal expression on both limbs is required. Unlike cardiac edema, these edema are more pronounced in the morning and decrease in the evening. Swelling of the face is more common than that of the lower extremities.
Swelling of the legs due to diseases of the venous system of the extremities (varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, postthrombophlebitis syndrome)	Swelling is always one-sided, and if bilateral, then it primarily affects one of the legs. Such swelling is very persistent and dense. They sharply intensify after being in a vertical position, especially stationary. The swelling of the peri-ankle region is most pronounced. After staying in a horizontal position, the swelling decreases.
Swelling of the legs due to diseases of the lymphatic system of the extremities (erysipelas and its consequences, lymphovenous insufficiency, lymphedema)	Like venous edema, edema is located predominantly on one side. They are characterized by particularly high density and durability. Rarely decrease from any manipulations or actions. A characteristic manifestation of edema of lymphatic origin is localization on the dorsum of the foot in the form of a pillow.
Swelling of the legs due to pathology of the osteoarticular system	Almost always unilateral, limited, localized in the area of the affected joint or bone, accompanied by pain and impairment of the functions of support and walking.
Swelling of the legs with inflammatory and purulent-infiltrative diseases of the skin and soft tissues, with injuries of the extremities	The swelling is limited. Expression may vary. With bites and injuries, swelling spreads around the lesion. With deep ulcers, the entire affected segment increases in volume. For fractures, local swelling at the fracture site is more typical; for ligament ruptures and sprains, widespread swelling similar to a hematoma is more typical.
Other causes of leg swelling: Myxedema and hypothyroidism; Premenstrual syndrome and pregnancy; Hyperaldosteronism and adrenal hyperfunction; Nutritional malnutrition and cachexia of other origins; Neuroparalytic vascular disorders against the background of pathology of the nervous system.	The swelling is soft, uniform, located on both limbs. The exception is cases of diseases of the nervous system accompanied by unilateral paralysis. In such a situation, the swelling is localized on the affected limb. This swelling is relatively stable throughout the day, but may intensify in the evening. They do not reach great severity, except in cases of decompensation of diseases and worsening of the general condition due to the addition of other causes of increased swelling.

When determining the possible causes of leg swelling, the general condition and accompanying symptoms must be taken into account. If there are any, this is definitely pathological edema that requires medical intervention!

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Treating leg swelling is not always the right and rewarding thing to do. After all, eliminating a symptom cannot rid a person of the disease. Therefore, it is more correct to treat not edema, but the disease that led to its appearance. The exception is cases of hydrostatic edema in healthy people due to overexertion of the legs.

Differentiated treatment tactics for swelling of the legs can be as follows:

Hydrostatic edema in persons without pathology:

Limiting physical activity on the legs;

Periodic unloading for the calf muscles in the form of their elevated position, gymnastics and massage;

The use of compression hosiery (stockings, stockings, tights), which help retain fluid in the vascular space by compressing soft tissues;

Specialized measures are not required due to the physiological origin of edema. It is acceptable to use ointments and gels described in the section “treatment of edema of venous origin.”

Cardiac and renal edema:

Diuretics. Various loop (furosemide, Lasix, Trifas), thiazide (indapamide, hypothiazide) and potassium-sparing (veroshpiron, spironolactone) diuretics are used. The frequency of administration, dosage form and duration of treatment depend on the degree of heart failure. Severe edema is treated with injectable loop diuretics with a gradual transition to tablets of identical drugs or drugs from a different group. For long-term decongestant therapy, thiazide diuretics in combination with veroshpiron are best suited;

Potassium preparations (panangin, asparkam). They are necessarily included in drug therapy with loop diuretics. This is necessary in order to compensate for the loss of potassium ions, which are excreted in the urine when diuresis is stimulated. But such drugs are contraindicated in renal failure.

Cardioprotective agents. They do not have a direct anti-edematous effect, but strengthen the heart muscle, the weakness of which causes heart failure and swelling of the legs.

Edema of venous origin:

Compression of the legs and feet with elastic bandages or special knitwear. This event should be the first in the complex treatment of edematous syndrome, since it not only helps in the fight against swelling of the legs, but is a really good method of preventing the progression of venous insufficiency. The main thing is to follow all the rules of elastic bandaging;

Phlebotonics (escusan, troxevasin, detralex, normoven). The mechanism of the anti-edematous action of drugs in this group is to strengthen the walls of veins and microcirculatory vessels. Phlebotonics of plant origin (escusan) can be prescribed in the absence of obvious signs of varicose veins, if there is pronounced pastiness that goes beyond the usual hydrostatic edema;

Blood thinners (aspecard, cardiomagnyl, lospirin, clopidogrel). The mechanism for reducing leg swelling is associated with a decrease in blood viscosity. If it becomes more liquid, its outflow improves, and this prevents stagnation and sweating in the tissue in the form of edema;

Local preparations in the form of ointment and gel (lyoton gel, heparin ointment, troxevasin, hepatrombin, venogenepanol, aescin, venitan). Their local application is quite effective, both for venous pathology and for swelling against the background of habitual leg fatigue as a result of overexertion.