Most often, the lower parts of the legs swell - the feet and ankles. This localization is due natural cause- gravity.

With edema, fluid accumulates in the tissues. Excess fluid is easily determined. If you strongly press your finger on the swollen area, then in this place after you remove your finger, a depression remains for some time.

Often the cause of swelling of the legs are diseases of the veins (chronic or acute thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, phlebothrombosis. Because of these diseases, the outflow of blood from the feet of the ankles is disturbed, intracapillary pressure increases.

Edema develops on the affected leg. It is often preceded by pain. In acute thrombophlebitis, the skin in the affected area may turn red.

To swelling in the area ankle joint may also result in fluid accumulation in tissues resulting in heart failure. At serious illnesses lungs, for example, in severe bronchial asthma, the heart also cannot work effectively, blood stagnates, venous pressure rises, which leads to edema, including the ankles. Often, edema can be caused by diseases of the kidneys and even the liver. In liver disease, fluid usually first accumulates in the abdomen (ascites), and later edema appears on the legs.

If swelling is caused by diseases internal organs, you need to consult a doctor, but you can take some measures yourself.

A low-salt diet and reduced fluid intake can help reduce fluid retention and swelling.

If your legs are swollen, you can lie down with one or two pillows under your shins so that your legs are higher than your heart, but do not put pillows just under your knees.

Those who have swollen legs should not wear socks or stockings with elastic bands.

Don't sit or stand for long periods of time. If you have to long time be in one of these positions, from time to time let's work the muscles of the lower leg, moving the feet and toes. It is also useful to wear special medical elastic stockings or tights that help reduce swelling.

If swelling occurs, be sure to consult your doctor. The doctor will perform a thorough examination, including the heart and lungs, as well as the legs, take blood tests to check the functioning of the kidneys and liver and determine the protein content. If necessary, diuretics (water pills) may be prescribed. They are effective, but they also have some side effects. For example, the leaching of potassium from the body, which is necessary for normal operation hearts. Therefore, when taking diuretics, add potassium-rich foods (apricots, dried apricots, pumpkin, zucchini, watermelons, apples, raisins, milk) to your diet.

Swelling of the leg can also be caused by an ankle injury. The degree of swelling in this case does not indicate the severity of the damage. The leg can be very swollen and with sprain, and with a rupture of the ligaments, and with a fracture.

With a fracture of the bones of the ankle joint, the leg swells less than with a sprain. A sprain or rupture of the ligaments is usually accompanied by bleeding into the surrounding tissues, causing the skin in this place to become blue-black.

If there is no fracture, then plaster is not required. But treatment should be started immediately - to ensure the immobility of the joint, apply ice, etc. With a slight damage to the ligaments, this is enough. However, if after 1-2 days there is no improvement, you should see a doctor.

To determine the type of injury, the doctor will check the mobility of the leg at the ankle joint and may also recommend x-rays. If there is no fracture, or there is a benign non-displaced fracture, you will probably be asked to continue home treatment. Other fractures require a plaster cast.

The injured leg must be kept elevated. Immediately apply ice wrapped in a towel and plastic bag to the injured area and leave it on for at least 30 minutes. If even slight swelling appears after the first half hour, then apply ice for the next few hours for 30 minutes at 15-minute intervals. If the ankle joint stops hurting in an elevated position, you can carefully try to step on this foot. If the joint still hurts under load, then it is better not to do this for the first day. Warm compresses can only be done after 24 hours. Helps also elastic bandage. Do not stretch it when applying a bandage - it should not be very tight and impede blood circulation. Do not bandage children yourself, as an incorrectly applied bandage can disrupt blood circulation in the foot. If the skin below the bandage turns blue or pale, then the bandage is applied very tightly. In this case, loosen the bandage.

After about 10 days, the ankle joint should return to normal. However, keep in mind that complete healing can only be expected after 4-6 weeks. If at this time you need to move, for example, do therapeutic exercises, then the ankle joint must be bandaged. However, a bandage will not protect against re-injury if you return to full load.

Besides…

In healing and folk medicine, considerable experience has been gained in the use of natural remedies that help quickly relieve swelling of the legs. Some simply eliminate this unpleasant symptom when the legs swell after heavy physical exertion (especially often this happens with a lot of weight), others are aimed at normalizing water-salt metabolism. There are also recommendations to help improve the functioning of the kidneys, heart, liver, which directly affect the removal of excess fluid from the body.

If your legs are tired and swollen in the evening, it is very useful to take warm foot baths. For such baths, you can use an infusion of chamomile flowers, sage, horsetail: 100 g of dry grass is poured with a liter of hot water, boiled for 15 minutes over low heat, insisted for 45 minutes, filtered. The resulting infusion is diluted with 3-4 liters of water.

When the legs are burning with fatigue, a foot bath made from an infusion of black elderberry flowers helps a lot.

It is useful to wipe swollen and tired legs with ice. Even better, prepare ice from an infusion of sage leaves, chamomile flowers, field cornflower or yarrow herb.

Massage has a beneficial effect on the legs. Massage your feet daily with a hard towel from the toes up. The foot can be massaged strongly, while the knees and hips can be massaged weaker. You can use two brushes with medium bristles for massage. In this case, synchronous circular movements rub the legs from the feet to the inguinal folds. Continue massaging until the skin turns red. After it, lubricate the skin with a special foot cream or vegetable oil.

To make your legs less tired, you can strengthen them with such gymnastics: balance first on one of them, then on the other. Do this several times. This exercise well restores blood circulation in the legs.

If tired legs hurt, rub them with a mixture of olive oil and salt (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of oil, stir until the salt is completely dissolved).

For the same purposes, use lemon juice or a mixture of lemon juice in half with vegetable oil.

Tired legs with rough skin soothes and softens the compress from wheat bran. Dilute the bran warm milk before receiving the slurry. Apply this paste on your feet and keep it until it dries. Then rinse with water and apply cream on your feet.

With thrombophlebitis, rubbing and steaming the legs is not recommended.

A good remedy for pain and swelling with thrombophlebitis is mumiyo. Mumiyo is taken orally 0.25-0.3 g 2 times a day for 25 days, adding it to a mixture of honey and milk (1:20). After a 10-day break, the course can be repeated.

If the legs hurt with thrombophlebitis (or varicose veins), it is useful to take warm foot baths up to the knees from the roots of willow and oak (50 g per 10 liters of water). The duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. Water temperature - no more than 38 ° C.

With swelling of the legs, they drink a decoction of flaxseed. Prepare it at the rate of 4 teaspoons of seeds per liter of water. Boil for 10-15 minutes, then insist in a warm place for an hour. To improve the taste, you can add any fresh fruit juice (for example, lemon) to the broth. Drink half a cup every 2 hours 6-8 times a day, preferably hot. The result can be felt in 2 weeks.

For liver pathologies with circulatory disorders and edema, the following collection of herbs is recommended: spring adonis -20 g, horsetail - 30 g, yarrow - 30 g, celandine - 20 g. The infusion is prepared as follows: 1-2 tbsp. spoons of the mixture are poured into a glass of hot boiled water and heated in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then cool for 45 minutes, filter and squeeze. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted to 200 ml boiled water. Take half a glass 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals.

With edema cardiac origin it is useful to take a tincture of birch buds: 20 g of buds are poured into 100 ml of 70% alcohol. Infuse for 3 weeks, wring out, filter and store in a dark vessel in a cool place away from light. At cardiovascular insufficiency accompanied by edema, the following collection is recommended as a diuretic: drooping birch (leaves) - 50 g, cinnamon rosehip (fruits) - 25 g, field harrow (root) - 25 g. The infusion is prepared as follows: 1-2 tbsp. spoons of the mixture are poured into a glass of hot boiled water, put in hot water for 15 minutes (but not heated!), cooled for 45 minutes, squeezed. The volume of the resulting infusion is adjusted to 200 ml with boiled water. Take 1/3-1/4 cup 3 times a day.

For edema associated with diseases of cardio-vascular system and kidneys an indispensable diuretic - watermelon. watermelon juice not only removes from the body excess liquid, but also provides it with easily digestible sugars. Nutritionists believe that 2-2.5 kg of watermelon can be consumed per day.

In diseases of the kidneys, grape juice is useful, which is an effective diuretic. You need to drink it an hour before meals 3 times a day. Start with half a glass and by the end of the course (after 1-1.5 months) bring the intake to two glasses. It is also useful for diseases of the liver, lungs, gout and hypertension, it is a good tonic.

With heart disease, accompanied by edema, pumpkin is very good. Pumpkin pulp enhances the excretion of chloride salts from the body and increases diuresis without irritating the kidneys.

Many people are faced with a situation where the feet, knees, or other areas of the lower extremities swell. This rather unpleasant symptom occurs when different reasons. And it is not always clear why the legs swell. In most cases, edema may indicate pathological or inflammatory process in the body, however, a completely healthy person is not protected from such changes.

The essence of the symptom

Parts of the body may swell when fluid accumulates in them. Water circulates throughout the body, it is present in the cavities between cells and inside blood vessels. Due to the overflow of cells with fluid and the intercellular space of muscle tissues, swelling of the extremities is formed.

The legs are most often located below the central parts of the body, and a huge physical load is placed on the feet and lower legs every day, so they are the most vulnerable and most often edema appears on them.

What diseases cause swelling of the legs

When fluid retention occurs in the lower extremities, unpleasant pulling sensations when walking, begins to press shoes. On the skin are imprinted traces of gum socks, which squeeze the leg in the shin area. After the lapse of time, the edema manifests itself in full and becomes noticeable: the limb swells so much that it can be seen just by looking at it.

The pathology of swollen limbs occurs at any time of the day or night. Attempts to alleviate their condition in non-drug ways have a low chance of success, so you need to get expert advice.

Features of limb edema associated with certain diseases:

1. With varicose veins, swelling of varying degrees can occur. They are accompanied by pain and.
2. Edema of the extremities in heart failure. Usually, heart diseases are accompanied by symptoms of insufficient blood circulation, and there is a constant stagnation in the venous system. With heart failure, both legs swell by the end of the day, but in the morning the swelling may decrease slightly. It is easy to recognize this reason among others: you need to put pressure on a swollen shin. If there are depressions that will slowly disappear, then the appearance of edema is caused by this particular disease.
3. With thrombophlebitis, an inflamed vein causes pain burning and redness of the skin. If your legs are swollen below the knees, then it is likely that this is a symptom of thrombophlebitis. Often the problem affects only one limb, for example, the right leg swells, and the left remains in perfect order.
4. Edema associated with the kidneys first appears before the eyes. Then, with the progress of the disease, swelling of the legs occurs. The skin on the extremities becomes very pale.
5. Diseases thyroid gland have symptoms of dense edema, which, unlike heart failure, do not show pressure marks.
6. Swelling of the legs can occur with mechanical damage that affects the joint or bones, which causes pain. In this case, pain can occur when walking and relying on an injured limb.
7. Swelling of the extremities with insect bites or injuries. In both cases, swelling occurs in the affected area. With fractures, edema forms at the site of damage to the bone. Ligament rupture and sprain cause swelling in the form of a hematoma.
8. Swelling of the legs in diseases lymphatic system. A distinctive characteristic of edema: the legs quickly “fill up” after being in vertical position. There is pronounced swelling in the ankle area.

Other possible reasons when leg swelling occurs:

• myxedema and hypothyroidism;
• alimentary exhaustion and cachexia;
• vascular disorders associated with the pathology of the nervous system.

The type of edema in all of the above cases is soft, uniform, usually swelling occurs on both legs. There are cases in diseases of the nervous system, when a unilateral lower limb occurs.

Swelling of the leg below the knee can also occur in absolutely healthy people. It has to do with physiology. Often expectant mothers face swollen limbs in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, when the fetus begins to actively develop.

Most probable factors swelling of the limbs without identified pathology, in which it is necessary to eliminate not the edema itself, but its cause:

1. Edema occurs due to the abuse of alcohol, salty foods, or when taking too much a large number fluids, especially at bedtime.
2. During extreme heat, the body works protective function from overheating. Peripheral vessels expand, in which pressure decreases. As a result, there is a violation of the microcirculatory process. Excess water accumulates in tissues, forming edema.
3. You can often experience swelling right foot and other limbs during the second trimester of pregnancy. The hormones that the placenta produces are able to delay the removal of salts from the body, dilate blood vessels.
4. Prolonged standing or sitting in an uncomfortable position can cause an increase in pressure in the veins, which in a transferred state cannot function normally.
5. Often in women, the legs below the knees swell due to wearing high-heeled shoes. The increased load on the feet associated with walking is incompatible with uncomfortable shoes with platforms or high heels. This combination provokes a failure of microcirculation in the tissues.
6. Physiological edema occurs at the end of the day, while it may happen that it swells left leg from knee to foot or right leg below the knee. To recover, it is enough to rest, taking a horizontal position.
7. flat feet, overweight, the habit of sitting for a long time on low or too soft seats - all this makes the limbs swell.

Once the underlying cause of limb swelling has been identified, it can be addressed. The causes and treatment of edema are inextricably linked. In order to remove the stagnation of fluid in the legs, you need to start taking diuretics, which will have a beneficial effect on microcirculation in the tissues. And if you know why the leg swells, then it is necessary to treat the causes of the edema, and not the swollen limb.

There are several non-drug ways to get rid of edema. They are suitable as a treatment only when the legs are swollen below the knees for a reason not related to other diseases.

1. It is necessary to do a light massage of the lower leg, while not rubbing the skin. Smooth movements of the palms in the direction from the foot to the knee, but not vice versa. After the procedure, it is recommended to lie down with your legs raised above head level. Limit physical activity on the legs, do not carry heavy loads.
2. Do simple exercises to improve blood circulation in your legs. You need to work with your toes, squeezing and unclenching them until slight fatigue appears. You can spread your fingers, smoothly rotate your feet clockwise and vice versa. Take a small rubber ball, put your foot on it and roll it on the floor in a circular motion.
3. Prepare a foot bath. Pour water at room temperature into a basin, add 2 tbsp. l. sea ​​salt. Dial medicinal water in the palm of your hand, washing the legs and knees. This procedure is recommended to be carried out 2 times a day. will be especially effective this way if the legs are swollen due to fatigue or wearing uncomfortable shoes.
4. Folk method for the treatment of edema. Diuretic collection, which includes birch buds, horsetail, knotweed, gives a good result in the fight against the disease. You can also use an infusion of flax seed or elderberries. Such healing ways natural and safe. But people with diseases of the kidneys, heart, metabolic disorders need to use them with extreme caution.

It is worth remembering that in the case of most edema, folk remedies are few. For getting effective treatment you need to contact a specialist.

Prevention

There is no need to reduce the amount of fluid you drink per day. If the body does not receive enough water, this can lead to more increased stagnation. The norm of fluid per day for a person is from 1.5 to 2 liters. Drink water often, but in small quantities.

Tips for preventing swelling of the extremities:

1. Wear shoes that are comfortable for you to walk in. She should not float, squeeze her legs, or wear high heels. Try to avoid rubber soles or rubber boots.
2. Try to reduce your salt intake, it is better to let the food be fresh. Or drink salty foods a small amount water. This dilutes the overall salt concentration.
3. Do not be lazy to do relaxing exercises and foot massage. If you have a sedentary job, stretch your legs from time to time, take a walk, do not allow stagnation.

What to do in a particular case, the attending physician will always tell you after passing complete examination. Only a test of the whole body can reveal real reason limb swelling. Mistakenly, many doctors rush to say that a sedentary lifestyle is to blame, ignoring the presence of more serious problems in the body.

Edema on the legs. Why are the legs swollen?

Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues. The reasons for swollen legs can be very different.

Causes of swelling of the legs

Edema can be general: with diseases of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, pregnancy, excessive consumption of salt and water, with frequent use aspirin, steroids, estrogens and vasodilators. General edema may be associated with metabolic disorders, nutrition - "hungry" edema, etc.

A pronounced general edema, determined by examination and palpation (after pressing, a hole remains), is usually preceded by a significant accumulation of fluid in the body - from 4 to 9 liters!

Edema can also be local, that is, limited to a certain area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body or organ: for example, with thrombophlebitis.

Cause of swelling of the legs: renal pathology

Severe swelling of the legs may occur with renal pathologies . Such edema spreads, as a rule, along both lower extremities and affects mainly back part legs, without itching, pain and local (on the surface of the edema) temperature increase. It is accompanied by some swelling of the eyelids, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, often a change in the color of urine and a decrease in its quantity.

Strongly swollen legs even after a person has been ill with an acute respiratory infection. This sign is a consequence of kidney disease, which arose as a complication of infection.

Intestinal diseases - as the reason why the legs swell

For bowel diseases swelling of the legs may also occur. Outwardly, they are similar to "renal", but are not accompanied by a violation of urination, but by prolonged diarrhea.

Varicose veins are another cause of leg swelling.

Edema in the legs occurs with varicose veins. This happens gradually and at first hardly noticeable. Increased swelling in the legs is associated with the presence of a person in an upright position and is noted in the evening. After sleep, the swelling in the legs disappears and may reappear only in the afternoon. With the progression of other signs of the disease, swelling in the legs becomes more noticeable. As a rule, these edemas are combined with pigmentation on the skin, ulcerations. More often, swelling on the legs is not located symmetrically, and, as a rule, only on one leg.

Edema in the legs is formed as a result of the fact that the outflow of blood is disturbed and the hydrostatic pressure in the veins increases significantly. Prolonged stagnation of blood causes an increase in pressure, first in large veins, and then in the smallest vessels. In capillaries, hydrostatic pressure is usually higher than in intercellular spaces, and therefore tends to squeeze fluid out of the vessels into the tissue - edema occurs.

Thrombosis and heart failure as causes of leg edema

Swelling in the legs may indicate the presence of other diseases. For example, pronounced swelling of the soft tissues of one or both limbs, which does not stop for a short period of time (from several hours to several days), is not characteristic of varicose saphenous veins. The cause of damage to one limb is often acute deep vein thrombosis, and two - thrombosis or acute heart failure. Deep vein thrombosis can be a complication of varicose veins.

If the legs are especially swollen after a long stay "on the legs", while there is shortness of breath, rapid pulse, wheezing in the lungs, then this may signal acute or chronic heart failure. Such edema, as a rule, spreads from the bottom up and intensifies in the evening.

For edema in heart failure, some features are characteristic.
The main one is a pronounced dependence on the position of the body: if a person is constantly moving, then the edema has a symmetrical arrangement on both legs, mainly on the legs, and in bedridden patients, the edema is located in lumbar region.

Cause of swelling of the legs: problems with the thyroid gland

Thyroid problems can also be manifested by elastic edema that does not leave pits when pressed, located in lower sections shins. With this disease, swelling of the tongue and on the shoulders, lethargy, drowsiness, chilliness, and a tendency to constipation are also noted.

Edema is a fatigue problem

Basically, the appearance of edema in healthy people is a completely normal phenomenon, doctors say. They appear even in young women working as hairdressers or salesmen at the end of the working day. During a long stay in an upright position, the pressure in the capillaries of the legs increases, this is precisely what explains the slight swelling of the lower extremities. It will help to get rid of such troubles by resting on the sofa with raised legs and applying cream-gel for tired legs on plant-based.

Removal of swelling of the legs

To combat swelling, you will need:
Herbs, ointments or creams for the feet, bath (basin), gymnastics. Possibly diuretics.

Instruction:

1. Remove shoes and tight clothing - tights, socks, trousers. If you are at home, do not rush to put on slippers, let your feet completely relax and breathe freely.

2. Make a foot bath with herbs. To do this, prepare a decoction of string, chamomile, juniper, mint, birch leaves in advance. The broth should be infused for 15-20 minutes, after which it is diluted with water (to a temperature of 36-38 ° C) and placed in the resulting solution of the foot. The procedure can last 3-5 minutes, or maybe longer, it all depends on the state of health and desire. Hot water does not need to be added.

3. The foot bath can be supplemented or replaced potato compress(this is an old folk remedy for edema). raw potatoes grate directly in the peel, squeeze lightly and apply to the swelling. Cover with cellophane and cotton cloth (towel, diaper, wide bandage). Hold for 15-20 minutes, then rinse your feet with cool clean water.

4. Lie down with your feet on the roller so that the soles of your feet are as if on weight (i.e., your ankles should be directly on the roller). If you prefer to sit, place your feet on a stool or chair. Rest 15-20 minutes.

5. Do a gentle foot massage. Use an ointment or cream to relieve fatigue (they are sold everywhere today). Many creams contain components that relieve pain and normalize blood circulation, as well as have a cooling and relaxing effect. Massage your legs for 5-8 minutes, then rest for at least half an hour, covering your legs with a light sheet or a thin blanket if you wish.

Eliminating edema, do not forget about the drinking regimen: drink decoctions and infusions of diuretic herbs - bearberry (bear's ear), horsetail, mountaineer, curly parsley. You can buy a special collection or other (not strong) diuretics at the pharmacy.

Treatment of swelling of the legs with folk remedies.

Before use medications, try the proven folk remedies first.

For example, juice from beets, carrots and fresh cucumbers in equal proportions or juices from parsley, celery. One-third of a glass of this mixture is often equivalent to one diuretic tablet. Juices can be taken both separately from each plant, and all kinds of combinations can be prepared.

You can mix a glass of viburnum juice, mountain ash, half a glass of lemon juice, 100 g of honey and three tablespoons of an extract of various plants - phytolysin (purchased at a pharmacy). Take the mixture one tablespoon 3 times a day after meals, the mixture is stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days.

Do not forget about proven remedies: bearberry leaf, lingonberry, black currant, birch, horsetail grass, juniper berries, flax seeds, leaves and fruits of rose hips and strawberries.

Parsley for leg swelling

The fruits of parsley garden (sometimes roots) in the form of a powder or infusion are taken orally for inflammation of the prostate gland, as a diuretic for dropsy, edema of cardiac and renal origin. Parsley fruit powder is taken 0.5-1.0 g 3-5 times a day before meals with warm boiled water.

Infusion from the roots or fruits of parsley: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of raw materials insist 8-10 hours in 2 cups of boiling water and drink tablespoons during the day.

You will need a whole fresh parsley plant, including the root. Wash well and pass through a meat grinder. You should get a glass of such green mass. Transfer it to a thermos and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Night insist. Strain and squeeze in the morning. Add the juice of one lemon to the resulting infusion. All the liquid you need to drink per day in 3 divided doses. You can take the infusion regardless of food. Be sure to take it 2 days in a row. Then take a break for 3 days and repeat the 2-day treatment again. You will immediately notice that fluid began to leave the body, that swelling disappears.

Birch leaves for swelling on the legs.

If your legs are swollen, take fresh ones, preferably not very old ones. birch leaves. Chop them finely to make a glass. Pour them with 1 liter of boiling water, add 1 tablespoon of salt. Leave for half an hour. And then with this infusion 5-6 times a day do compresses on the legs. After such procedures, the swelling subsides quickly, the legs return to normal.

From edema, take an infusion of birch leaves. It helps with both renal and cardiac edema. But the leaves are needed spring, young, because the summer ones are no longer so useful, toxic substances can accumulate in them. 100 g of leaves I finely chop, and then pour 2 cups of warm boiled water. In order not to destroy everything useful, do not pour boiling water over the leaves - just warm water. Leave to infuse for 5-6 hours, and then strain and squeeze. Let the resulting infusion settle so that a precipitate appears. We do not need it, so after settling, pour the infusion to get rid of the sediment. Take an infusion of half a glass 3 times a day before meals. Your swelling will go down.

A collection that will relieve swelling.

Take hawthorn fruits, linden flowers, calendula flowers, blueberry leaves, rose hips, birch leaves, viburnum fruits, plantain leaves in equal proportions. 2 tbsp pre-chopped collection pour 0.5 liters of boiling water in a thermos, insist overnight. Take 1/3-1/4 cup 3-4 times a day. The course is 2-3 months. You can drink during pregnancy, but after consulting with your doctor.

Kidney tea will relieve swelling.

The herb orthosiphon (kidney tea) in the form of an infusion is taken orally for edema of any origin as a diuretic, the infusion is prepared as follows: 1-2 teaspoons of the herb are infused for 2 hours in 2 tbsp. boiling water and drink 1/2 tbsp. warm infusion 3-4 times a day before meals.

Flax seeds will remove excess fluid.

Take 1 tsp. flaxseed and pour 1 liter of boiling water. Put on fire and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Then cover the dishes with a lid and insist in a warm place for 1 hour. Drink the infusion hot at 0.5 tbsp. every 2 hours. In total, you need to spend 6-8 receptions per day. And so for 2-3 weeks, depending on how you feel.

The recipe of the Austrian doctor Rudolf Breuss for swelling of the legs.
Watermelon ordinary from edema.

From edema, watermelon peels will help. To prepare a decoction, pour dry chopped watermelon peel with water in a ratio of 1:10 and boil for about five minutes. Then cool the broth, strain and take half a glass 3-4 times a day.

Dill odorous from edema.

1 st. l. dill seeds pour 300 ml of boiling water, insist in a thermos. Drink in the morning and at bedtime 150 ml for 3 weeks. Then 3 days break and repeat the treatment again.

Grape leaves for edema.

With thrombophlebitis, swelling on the legs, grape leaves will help, take 50 g of raw materials, brew it in 3 liters of water and take foot baths. If you do this regularly for 3 months, then the walls of the vessels will be significantly strengthened, blood circulation will improve, and swelling will disappear.

Lingonberries will relieve swelling.

From swelling of the legs, it is advisable to take an extract of lingonberry leaf (3 times a day, half a cup before meals). This extract also has a significant anti-inflammatory effect, which is enhanced in an alkaline environment. To create an alkaline environment in the stomach, you can drink half a glass of alkaline before taking the lingonberry leaf. mineral water(for example, Borjomi) or at least a solution baking soda(1 teaspoon per glass).

In order to prevent potassium from being washed out of the body when taking a diuretic, it is necessary to include foods with a high content of it in the diet (baked potatoes, cabbage, dried apricots, beans).

When edema appears, it is useful to eat as many vegetables, herbs, fruits and berries as possible, which have a diuretic effect, such as celery, parsley, onions, garlic, watermelons, pumpkin, black currants, grapes, as well as dairy products - kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese. Instead of ordinary tea and drinks, it is useful to drink infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants.

Pumpkin ordinary will relieve edema.

Pumpkin juice is drunk half a glass a day with various edema.

Highlander kidney - an excellent remedy for edema.

The infusion of the mountaineer (water pepper) is drunk with edema, 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day before meals. Prepare it like this: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of herbs is poured with 1 glass of hot water, kept in a water bath for 15 minutes, filtered. The resulting infusion is diluted with boiled water to the original volume.

Horsetail from edema.

1 st. a spoonful of chopped horsetail grass is brewed with 2 cups of boiling water, insisted for 2 hours, filtered. Take 2-3 tbsp. spoons 5-6 times a day. Check out the contraindications. Course - 3 weeks.

Carrot tops will help with swelling.

With kidney disease, swelling, carrot tops will help. The tops must be well dried and crushed. And it is easy to use: pour a tablespoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Drink the infusion should be half a cup 3 times a day. For the kidneys, this is a real balm. The infusion will clean them, remove excess fluid, and also improve cardiac activity.

Dried apricots and dill from edema.

An infusion of dried apricots or dill will relieve swelling. Rinse dried fruits with warm water, chop, pour boiling water over, leave for 6 hours in a closed enamel bowl. With hidden edema per 1 liter of water, take from 100 g of dried fruits, with obvious edema - up to 200 g. If you want to sweeten the drink, then it is better to take not sugar, but honey or fructose.

cabbage leaves for swelling

Attach and tie to your feet cabbage leaves.

It is very important to understand why edema occurs. After all, there is a reason, so it is necessary to eliminate it, and not deal with the consequences.

Remember to examine your body to find main reason swelling!

Gymnastics for swelling of the legs

If your feet are swollen as a result of fatigue or wearing uncomfortable shoes, you can do the following simple exercises to relieve swelling of the legs:

1. Standing or sitting for several minutes a day, alternately press the heel to the floor and lift the toe, and vice versa (press the toe and lift the heel).
2. Walk on your toes for a minute or two.
3. With bare feet, try to pick up a pencil or a small ball from the floor.
4. Spread and squeeze your toes.
5. Rotate your feet (left to right and right to left).

Ointments for swelling of the legs

Use remedies for swelling of the legs after consulting with your doctor:

Heparin ointment, which improves blood circulation, dissolves microscopic blood clots, has an anti-inflammatory effect;

"Essaven gel" helps to strengthen the walls of capillaries and veins, also helps blood circulation and eliminates microthrombi;

"Venitan", which includes an extract from horse chestnut well strengthens the walls of capillaries and veins;

"Troxevasin" has an analgesic and cooling effect, at the same time strengthening the walls of capillaries and veins.

If the measures taken have not brought relief, and swelling becomes regular, then you should definitely consult a doctor, as this may be due to the presence of a certain disease in your body.

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

Etiology

Puffiness of varying severity affects many people who have an imbalance between the physiological mechanisms responsible for the regulation of fluid exchange and the load on the intercellular space. This problem is normal in relation to provoking factors from external environment, but also puffiness can be a symptom of various diseases.

Swelling of the legs have interrelated causes and treatment, so until the doctor reveals the etiology of the disease, it is impossible to prescribe therapy, because complications can be provoked. Quite often, the reason that people's legs swell is becoming more and more intense. pathological changes in the body. The etiology of the symptom lies in the following groups of diseases:

• in healthy people it is caused by tension of the limbs throughout the day, hydrostatic effect on the vessels of the microvasculature;
• kidney problems;
• pathology of the venous system of the extremities;
• diseases of the lymphatic system of the legs;
• ailment of the musculoskeletal system;
• with inflammation and purulent-infiltrative lesions of the skin and soft tissues;
• with mechanical injuries of the legs;
• nutritional exhaustion.

Swelling of the legs can also cause physiological problems:

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

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

In pregnant women, this symptom is very common. He is provoked hormonal disorder. In turn, the wrong hormonal background leads to the appearance of 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 is formed according to different etiologies, in connection with this, clinicians distinguish several forms of edema in the extremities:

• hydremic - characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pathology of the kidneys;
• cachectic - are formed with an ailment of the cardiovascular system;
• congestive - appear with problems with blood vessels and capillaries;
• mechanical - from damage, with tumors or pregnancy;
• neuropathic - with alcohol abuse and;
• allergic - .

Symptoms

The first signs that a person's legs are very swollen will be slight imprints from the rubber bands of socks on the lower leg, discomfort when moving in familiar shoes. With the development of the disease in patients, swelling of the extremities is only more pronounced.

If the causes of swelling were physiological factors, then the patient's clinical picture begins to worsen in the late afternoon, after eating or when long stay under the sun. If the cause was pathological processes, then swelling can manifest itself in such indicators:

• vri - the symptom spreads asymmetrically, the right leg or left leg swells strongly, pain and heaviness in the lower extremities appear;
• when the disease affects only the sore leg, swelling is accompanied by pain syndrome, burning sensation when walking and redness of the skin;
• renal edema - appear on the eyes, legs, the skin becomes pale;
• with a thyroid disease, swollen legs become elastic, and traces of rubber bands do not remain.

Diagnostics

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

With a similar problem, the patient needs to go to, and. Before deciding what to do if the legs swell, the doctor needs to determine what caused such an 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 methods are also performed. instrumental diagnostics. How to remove swelling in the legs, the doctor can only say after establishing the root cause.

Treatment

It is necessary to approach the solution of the question of how to relieve swelling in the legs in a complex way. It is not worth taking drastic measures of therapy without consulting a doctor. Therefore, first a person needs to undergo a diagnosis, determine the etiology of the onset of a symptom, and then treatment is already prescribed. However, before consulting a doctor, it is allowed to use some means, but they should also not be abused. The main pills for swelling of the legs are diuretics. They help remove excess fluid from the body, but with excessive use, side effects can begin.

Also, doctors, answering patients to the question of 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 toes;
• do back bending of the legs;
• spread and squeeze the fingers of the lower extremities;
• raise and lower socks and heels in a standing or sitting position;
• take multivitamins and dietary supplements;
• do aromatic baths.

All of the above measures of therapy are great if a woman has swelling of 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 the edematous state, pregnant women must definitely drink diuretics prescribed by the doctor.

Treatment of puffiness directly depends on the cause of the appearance. With orthostatic symptom formation, the patient is recommended to do cool foot baths. With cardiac edema, the patient needs complex measures, which consist in diet, weight adjustment, elimination of negative habits and the use of anti-atherosclerotic drugs.

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

• medicines that improve myocardial contraction;
• decreasing vascular tone ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, nitrates;
• diuretics;
• to reduce stress on the heart.

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

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

Swelling 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 quite understandable concerns. Of course, you can blame the herring eaten the day before and drinking liters of water for everything, but if swelling of the feet constantly occurs, you should look for a reliable explanation of this fact.

Why legs swell - causes and symptoms

Even absolutely healthy people can at least once in their life experience all the "charms" of swelling of the legs. This can happen after staying in the same position for a long time, walking for a long time or wearing shoes that are too tight, or after a tiring airplane flight. In addition, one-time swelling of the feet may occur:

- from a large amount of liquid drunk after too salty food;

- in hot summer, when microcirculatory processes are disturbed and fluid accumulates in tissues;

- during pregnancy - severe swelling of the legs is possible due to sodium retention in the body of the expectant mother.

However, most often, sadly, swelling indicates the presence of various diseases.

1. Cardiac swelling of the legs

The culprit is usually heart failure. Cardiac edema of the legs can appear with various heart defects, vascular aneurysms, after myocardial infarction. As a rule, they are symmetrical, begin with swelling of the leg at the ankle and spread upward to the thigh and lower leg. To the touch they are soft and cold, bluish skin is stretched. Closer to the night, cardiac swelling of the legs becomes even more noticeable, when pressing on them with a finger, a hole remains for a long time. If a person with such edema is forced to constantly be in bed, they decrease on the legs, but "relocate" to the lumbar region.

2. Violation of the lymphatic outflow

Lymphedema is a progressive swelling of the tissues of the affected area, often the lower extremities. Severe swelling of the legs occurs due to a violation of the outflow of fluid through lymphatic vessels. It is accompanied by general weakness, a feeling of heaviness and unpleasant fullness in the limb (usually one). Edema occurs when pathological process deep vessels are involved. First, changes are noticeable in the ankle joint, gradually swelling rises higher. The swelling of the legs is most noticeable in the evening, and after a night's rest it does not disappear. The last stage of the disease is elephantiasis.

3. Kidney problems

Violation of renal filtration leads to persistent fluid retention and, as a result, the appearance of edema. At first, they are noticeable under the eyes, then, against the background of severe pain in the lumbar region, the legs and arms swell. Edema is most pronounced in the morning, in the evening they become smaller.

4. Why pregnant legs swell - the reasons are not always harmless

If the expectant mother does not have concomitant diseases, then her swelling may appear after the thirtieth week of pregnancy. Even if her legs and arms swell, this is not always a pathology. The accumulation of sodium makes it difficult to remove the liquid, the use of salty and fried foods exacerbates the situation. Edema may not be in the morning, or they are insignificant, but by the evening the legs are again mercilessly poured. If weekly weighing does not determine increased weight gain, and swelling does not bother after rest, the condition is not considered pathological.

Preeclampsia - this is the name of a complication of pregnancy, in which the legs and arms, face and lower back swell future mother. Weight is rapidly gaining, and severe swelling of the legs and other parts of the body does not go away even after a long rest. Pathology is accompanied high blood pressure, protein content in the urine and is dangerous for mom and baby. A serious cause of severe swelling of the legs in a pregnant woman is nephropathy of pregnant women.

Attention! Do not refuse hospitalization if the doctor found you have preeclampsia! You are risking the life of an unborn baby!

5. Swelling of the legs is often due to venous outflow disorders. With various diseases, edema has its own characteristic features:

- varicose veins - 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 ankle area are different, asymmetry is clearly observed. Concomitant symptoms - pain in the calf muscles, local fever and some soreness in the legs;

- post-thrombophlebitic syndrome - significant swelling on the legs, less pronounced - on the thighs. Usually present only on one side - swelling of the right leg or left. By evening, the manifestations increase, and after a night's rest they become less noticeable;

- inferior vena cava syndrome - severe swelling of the legs extends to the buttocks, abdominal wall, genitals. An extremely unpleasant additional symptom is numerous trophic ulcers on the legs.

6. Causes of leg swelling can be neurological diseases , poliomyelitis or stroke with paralysis of the lower extremities. Increased capillary permeability causes moderate swelling of the legs. Similar phenomena can be observed in diseases endocrine system.

7. Traumatic injuries

Edema is a frequent companion various injuries, accompanies bruises, dislocations and fractures for several days. Gradually disappears in the process of treating the underlying disease.

Why does swelling of the legs occur in the elderly

Separately, it is worth dwelling on the reasons for which there are swelling of the legs in the elderly. This is a natural and fairly common phenomenon. age-related changes organism, alas, are irreversible. Due to the slowdown in metabolism and insufficient functioning of the internal organs, the tissues accumulate fluid, as a result of which the legs and arms and face swell. However, these symptoms can also signal serious malfunctions in the body, the presence of various diseases. For example, swelling of the leg in the ankles may indicate heart failure, and swelling of the left leg or only the right leg may indicate deep vein thrombosis. Cirrhosis of the liver or lung disease can also cause leg swelling in the elderly.

Causes of edema in men and women

Venous insufficiency most often it is the reason that the legs swell in men. Representatives of a strong position sometimes choose a profession associated with increased physical activity, weight lifting. In addition, intensive sports training can lead to fluid retention, against the background of profuse sweating and inadequate fluid replacement. Men's legs swell and, thanks to their taste preferences - oily and spicy food, excess salt. In an effort to get rid of extra pounds, some subject themselves to the merciless torment of diets, and in this case, the legs of men swell due to the lack of protein intake.

In the beautiful half of humanity, swelling of the legs is often associated with hormonal changes. It happens:

- during menopause;

- before menstruation;

- after childbirth.

Usually these are quite normal physiological phenomena that do not require special treatment. If the swelling is persistent, or annoying too often, you should consult a doctor.

Legs swell - diagnostic methods

Why the legs swell - the reasons, as is clear from the above, can be very diverse. If swelling of the leg in the ankles or feet is a short-term phenomenon associated with heat or an abundance of fluids drunk, a visit to the doctor is not necessary. In the presence of accompanying symptoms, especially signs of allergies, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and severe pain, you can’t do without a visit to the doctor. Do not self-diagnose and resort to the help of diuretics. In some cases, this is fraught with the appearance side effects and aggravation of the existing problem.

If you want to know why the legs swell, the therapist, a specialist in various ailments, will name the reasons. After a visual inspection and detailed acquaintance with the circumstances of the occurrence unpleasant symptoms, the doctor, depending on the need, prescribes certain studies. Legs swell - diagnostic methods:

- blood tests - expanded and for coagulability;

— ultrasound procedure blood vessels, pelvic organs, abdominal cavity;

- electrocardiogram;

- checking the level of hormones;

- radiography;

- tomography, and other important diagnostic studies.

If necessary, you will need to consult other specialists - a cardiologist, gynecologist, endocrinologist, nephrologist, angiologist or phlebologist.

Any diagnosis requires a certain amount of time, and swelling of the feet or ankles greatly complicates life. Some common methods to alleviate the condition and reduce swelling that cannot be harmful can be tried already on this stage.

Attention! Do not get carried away with diuretics and other medicines if the cause of edema has not yet been established!

Legs swell - treatment of external manifestations

1. Limit salt intake, do not pour handfuls of salt into already ready meals!

2. The total amount of liquid drunk per day should not exceed 2-2.5 liters. It is advisable not to drink at night.

3. Water procedures are an excellent tool for dilating blood vessels and reducing swelling. Bathing and swimming in a pool or pond, cold and hot shower and just foot baths with mineral water, essential oils, sea ​​salt. A contrast shower helps a lot.

4. Swelling of the leg in the ankle or lower leg decreases after resting in a horizontal position. Under the legs you need to put a roller or pillow so that they are raised 35-40 degrees above the level of the body.

5. Swelling of the legs in the elderly helps to remove or reduce light massage. Movement should be directed from the bottom up.

6. Simple gymnastic exercises - walking on tiptoe, rolling the ball on the floor with your feet, bending and unbending the fingers, rotational movements with the feet.

Legs swell - doctor prescribes treatment

After a successful diagnosis, the doctor suggests complex treatment the underlying disease, its successful therapy will help eliminate annoying edema. Depending on the cause that caused severe swelling of the legs, usually apply following methods:

- a special diet - most often with restriction of salt and water;

— compression underwear- stockings, stockings and tights;

Attention! Prophylactic compression stockings can and should be used by anyone who has to be on their feet for a long time. But the doctor selects medical underwear individually, depending on the indications, and you can only buy it at a pharmacy!

— various ointments and gels to relieve inflammation, improve blood circulation, eliminate microthrombi, strengthen the walls of capillaries and veins;

- diuretic drugs, including herbal preparations - only as prescribed by the doctor and courses. Permanent application"harmless herbs" can cause dehydration, jumps blood pressure and a host of other side effects;

- hardware lymphatic drainage massage not only successfully helps when the legs swell - this kind of treatment restores the former attractiveness of the legs, relieves fatigue, and restores lymph flow. However, this method of treating edema has many contraindications - various diseases skin, pregnancy, cancerous tumors, kidney failure, vascular lesions in diabetes;

- cardiac edema of the legs is also treated only in combination, using drugs that increase myocardial contractility, drugs that reduce vascular tone, and drugs that reduce the load on the heart.

Swelling of the legs often indicates very serious ailments. Therefore, experts do not get tired of warning again and again: legs swell - treatment should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, even if these are prescriptions traditional medicine.

Legs swell - treatment with folk remedies

The main attention, when the legs swell, should be given drug treatment. However, other methods are also important in improving the condition. If the legs swell - treatment with folk remedies will help you quickly return to full life, remove a cosmetic defect, successfully remove excess fluid from the body. Talk to your doctor and choose the method that suits you:

- one tablespoon of ordinary garden parsley should be poured with two glasses of boiling water. Drink a little throughout the day.

- add lemon and cucumber juice to half a glass of fresh carrot juice. The mixture is divided into 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. Adding syrup or juice for taste is allowed. The course of treatment is 3 weeks;

- if men's legs swell, radish decoction helps very effectively. To do this, the root crop (about 400 grams) is cut into pieces, poured with boiling water and kept on fire for 10 minutes. Infuse for 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 glass 4-5 times a day.

When the legs swell - treatment with folk remedies is a good support. But even better is to prevent your body from reaching a state during which legs and arms swell, and a visit to the doctor is necessary. The best treatment— prevention!

- vitamins B, C, E improve blood circulation and perfectly strengthen blood vessels, do not forget about taking them;

- movement is life, and regular hiking reliably protect against the occurrence of edema;

- from the menu should be excluded: fried and salty food, alcohol;

- do not be too lazy to put a small pillow under the legs for the rest;

- cross-legged pose - the right way to varicose veins veins;

- when sitting for a long time, take short breaks every half hour;

- watch your weight;

- tight tights and tight shoes interfere with normal blood flow;

— high heels- not for many hours of use, do not scoff at the legs;

- if possible, give your feet 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.