The feet are swollen. Swollen legs - what to do? How to quickly relieve swelling if the legs swell? Why do swelling of the legs appear during pregnancy and after childbirth

Edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues. Various tissues can swell in the body, but it is the legs that most often suffer. The maximum load falls on their share, since they have to constantly carry weight. And often this is not only their own weight, but also huge bags from the store and bearing a child. And besides, the legs are the lowest part of our body. Consequently, gravity helps the fluid to descend here and greatly interferes with its outflow.

Symptoms of swelling of the legs

Swelling of the legs can be immediately noticed if they see traces of the elastic band of the sock on the ankle. In the future, with the aggravation of the problem, the usual shoes may become cramped. And in the evenings, swelling of the legs may increase as a result of the load that has fallen during the day. If your legs swell regularly, then it's time to look for the causes with your doctor. Swelling of the legs can be a symptom of a wide range of diseases, many of which are quite serious and require treatment.

What diseases are associated with swelling of the legs?

If the swelling persists for more than a day, it is necessary to consult a doctor - for a start, a therapist. When legs swell regularly, the causes of this problem may lie in the following diseases:

1. Heart failure. Swelling of the legs in the ankles, feet and lower legs, which gets worse in the evening, may just be talking about this problem.
2. Vascular problems. Swelling of the legs occurs due to varicose veins and increases gradually, as the disease develops. Usually in the evening, the legs begin to hurt and swell. And it happens that one leg is swollen and hurts - which means, probably, inflammation of the vein or phlebitis.
3. Diseases of the kidneys and liver. In this case, usually the swelling of the legs occurs after the night, that is, it occurs in the morning, and most often affects the feet. Along with the legs, swelling on the face may appear, that is.

And there are other diseases associated with swelling of the legs, but to diagnose them and prescribe necessary treatment only a doctor can. To determine the reason why the legs swell, one simple examination may not be enough. Often, you need to pass a series of tests, undergo an ultrasound examination, MRI, or go to specialized specialists, such as a cardiologist or urologist.

How to relieve swelling of the legs?

• Raise your legs to a level above your head. Take a comfortable position - lie on your back and lift your legs, placing a roller under them. Soon the outflow of stagnant venous blood will begin and the swelling of the legs will subside.
• Foot and leg massage. Sometimes a simple massage is enough to normalize blood circulation.
• Herbal tea or herbal tincture. Puffiness of the legs is well removed by herbal teas brewed on the basis of medicinal plants with a diuretic property.

You can make your own mint tincture. Steam a couple of tablespoons with one liter of boiling water, soak for 2 hours, after which you can drink.

• contrast baths. Swelling of the legs of a woman is often removed by alternately dipping her legs into a basin of hot and then cold water.

Or you can make a bath with pharmaceutical herbs (chamomile or mint): 100 g of dry collection medicinal herbs brewed in 3 liters of boiling water, after which the legs soar for 10-15 minutes.

Healthy legs require strong muscles, which during walking make the blood run through the veins. Legs should always be in motion - exercises, climbing stairs, cycling, dancing, water aerobics keep blood vessels in good shape. And thus reduces the risk of edema.

Swelling of the legs is a very common phenomenon, which can be the result of various diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary, lymphatic systems. Often, pain and swelling in the limbs causes a violation of venous outflow during prolonged stay on the legs and wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes with high heels. Therefore, most often this unpleasant phenomenon is faced by the fair sex. What to do in this case and how to get rid of an unpleasant condition? Before proceeding with treatment, the doctor must find out why the legs swell, and establish the root cause of this condition.

How does swelling of the legs manifest itself?

In medicine, the definition of "edema" means the state of the body, in which excess fluid accumulates in its organs and extracellular tissue spaces. This is facilitated by various pathologies, which are most often associated with impaired venous or arterial circulation, kidney disease, or problems with the heart and blood vessels.

Swelling of the legs can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the cause that causes them. If the edema is mild and manifests itself as a slight looseness of the tissues due to the accumulation of fluid, they speak of such a phenomenon as pastosity. Pastous edema most often appears in the lower leg and ankle joint on both limbs.

Severe swelling of the legs can occur against the background of kidney or heart failure, varicose veins and other severe pathologies. In this case, there is a pronounced swelling of the feet and legs, which can extend to the knee joint.

Such swelling of the legs often causes trophic skin lesions, because due to overstretching, cracks form on it, which then transform into erosion or trophic ulcers. Such severe manifestations are usually observed in elderly people suffering from venous insufficiency and thrombophlebitis.

Lymphatic edemas are characterized by high density, they do not disappear for a long time and can remain on the legs for a long time. Their appearance is facilitated by the accumulation of a liquid with a high protein content in the thickness of the skin. Edema delivers significant discomfort to its owner, causes a feeling of heaviness in the legs, makes it difficult to move, and makes it impossible to wear habitual shoes.

Doctors distinguish several main types of edema:

• (arise as an immune response of the body to the penetration of foreign agents);
• cachetic (develop with pathologies of the cardiovascular system or severe exhaustion of the body);
• hydremic (formed with kidney damage);
• mechanical (may be the result of injuries or accompany the course of pregnancy);
• neuropathic (develops with diabetes or chronic alcoholism)
• congestive (appear with increased vascular permeability, problems with blood circulation and lymph flow, chronic venous insufficiency).

Edema can appear on one or both legs at once, have varying degrees of severity, be unilateral or bilateral, affect only the ankle area, or spread all the way to the thigh.

Causes of swelling of the legs

Puffiness of the limbs in a healthy person can be provoked by completely harmless physiological reasons:

• wearing uncomfortable shoes with high heels;
• long walking or work associated with constant being “on the legs” (hairdressers, sellers, waiters);
• drinking plenty of fluids, especially before bed;
• an uncomfortable position of the body, in which blood circulation in the legs is disturbed;
• excess weight;
• period of pregnancy;
• malnutrition, with an excess of pickles, marinades or spicy dishes;
• flat feet and other anomalies in the development of the foot.

Good to know

If the legs swell in the ankles, the cause may be improperly selected, tight shoes, high loads on the legs associated with professional activities, regular alcohol abuse or taking certain medications that cause fluid retention in the body (hormones, NSAIDs, antihypertensives, oral contraceptives ).

Pathological causes of leg edema are concomitant diseases. Among them:

• varicose veins, thrombophlebitis;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• kidney disease,;
• endocrine diseases, thyroid dysfunction (diabetes mellitus, myxedema):
• dysfunction of the lymphatic system (lymphedema, elephantiasis);
• limb injuries (, bruises, fractures);
• infectious and inflammatory diseases (, osteomyelitis, infectious arthritis, erysipelas);

Let us consider in more detail how edema manifests itself in various pathological conditions.

Varicose disease

It becomes the cause of varicose veins, and causes prolonged swelling of the legs, which is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the limbs, painful symptoms, and rapid fatigue after a short walk. The legs swell especially strongly in the evening, strongly dilated, tortuous veins become visible under the skin. Usually, after a long rest, the puffiness disappears and reappears by the end of the working day. In this case, the swelling on the right leg may differ from the swelling of the left leg in size or location.

The advanced stages of the disease, in addition to edema, are accompanied by circulatory disorders in the limbs, severe pain. In severe cases, the formation of trophic ulcers is possible. A complication of the disease is thrombophlebitis of the deep veins of the lower extremities, accompanied by the formation of blood clots in the lumen of the vein and its inflammation.

With thrombophlebitis, extensive edema, a feeling of numbness and tingling in the limbs appear, there is an increase in temperature, a deterioration in the general condition. If left untreated, the risk of thromboembolism increases - a detached blood clot can clog the vessel and lead to death.

Heart failure

Symptoms of heart failure occur with pathologies such as heart disease, ischemic disease, cardiac arrhythmias and, in addition to the characteristic pain and shortness of breath, are accompanied by swelling of the legs in the late afternoon. This is explained by the fact that with heart failure, the main pumping function of the heart muscle is disrupted. As a result, the blood does not rise well from the legs up, and if a person spends the whole day in motion, by the evening the resources of the heart are depleted.

First, the legs swell in the ankles, the skin becomes cyanotic, and then the swelling spreads upwards, seizing the shins and thighs. Over time, the accumulation of fluid is observed in abdominal cavity. Cardiac edema is usually mild - when pressed with a finger, a hole remains on the skin.

Kidney disease (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, renal failure)

Renal edema, unlike cardiac edema, usually appears in the morning. They arise as a result of impaired blood flow in the kidneys, or develop due to the difference in oncotic pressure. But renal edema rarely appears on the legs, usually patients with such pathologies suffer from morning swelling on the face. With kidney disease, edema is usually loose, captures the soles of the feet and passes quite easily and quickly.

Liver pathologies

Severe liver damage (, cancer) is often accompanied by swelling of the legs, the cause of which in most cases is portal hypertension. In this condition, not only the ankles of the legs swell, but also the anterior abdominal wall. In the future, the patient's condition is complicated by ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity), dilatation of the veins of the esophagus, and a tendency to bleed.

Limb injuries

With bruises, damage to soft tissues occurs, which is accompanied by the formation of hematomas and the formation of painful swelling. Such puffiness is treated by applying cold compresses or applying an iodine mesh.

Dislocations are often associated with weakness of the ligamentous apparatus. When the joint is displaced, severe pain appears, movements become impossible, dense swelling grows in the affected area, which, depending on the complexity of the injury, can last from several days to 2-3 weeks.

In case of fractures of the limbs (in the area of ​​​​the feet, ankles, lower legs), there is severe pain, severe swelling, noticeable deformity of the limbs, hemorrhages under the skin. Of particular danger is a fracture of the femoral neck, as it causes a violation of blood flow in the bones of the limbs.

Infectious and inflammatory processes

knee arthritis is one of the causes

Rheumatoid arthritis is accompanied by an inflammatory process in large joints (usually knees), which is manifested by severe pain, swelling in the affected area, and limited mobility. characteristic feature is that the swelling lasts for a short time and can occur on different joints.

The course of osteomyelitis is accompanied by edema on the left leg or edema on the right leg, depending on which limb the inflammatory process develops in the bones. In addition to edema, there are severe pains, impaired motor functions, and body temperature rises. In the absence of timely treatment, the risk of severe complications increases.

Erysipelas is caused by streptococcus and usually affects the lower extremities. Simultaneously with painful red spots, swelling increases, the temperature rises, and the general condition worsens sharply. If antibiotic treatment is not started on time, infectious complications may develop.

Lymphedema

This is a disease of the lymphatic system that can manifest itself as a congenital pathology from a very early age. Problems with the lymphatic vessels lead to the accumulation of excess fluid in the tissues and cause lymphedema. The same edema may appear after removal of the lymph nodes or after radiotherapy in oncological diseases.

If the process becomes chronic, then dense edema constantly remains on the legs, the skin thickens, coarsens and acquires a brown tint. The last stage of lymphedema is called elephantiasis, in which the swelling of the legs is so severe that the limb increases in size several times. In this case, only one leg can be affected, while the other retains its normal size.

Causes of swelling of the legs in women

Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is a physiological phenomenon caused by the fact that the uterus presses on the veins in the pelvic area and provokes a violation of blood flow. This affects the condition of the veins of the lower extremities and causes swelling. After childbirth, the woman's condition stabilizes, and the swelling subsides quickly. Sometimes puffiness appears if a pregnant woman consumes a lot of salty and canned foods. In this case, you just need to reduce the amount of salt in the diet.

A dangerous condition is preeclampsia at the end of pregnancy, which is accompanied by jumps blood pressure, headaches and severe swelling. In this case, puffiness covers not only the legs, but also the upper limbs, extends to the face.

After a caesarean section, a woman often has swelling in her legs that lasts for a long time. The cause of such a symptom may be hidden in a hormonal imbalance, venous insufficiency, or dysfunction of the heart. To find out the reasons, a woman needs to consult a doctor and undergo a full examination.

Edema treatment

How to relieve swelling of the legs, and what methods are used to treat this unpleasant phenomenon? It all depends on the cause of the swelling, to establish it is the primary task of a specialist. Only after the diagnosis is made, the doctor will select a treatment regimen taking into account the underlying disease.

With renal and cardiac edema, the following drugs are prescribed:

• Diuretics (, Torasemide, Indapamide). The frequency of admission, dosage and duration of treatment, the doctor selects on an individual basis. In severe heart failure, loop diuretics are used in injections, followed by a switch to oral medications.
• Potassium preparations (Asparkam, Panangin) must be prescribed to prevent the loss of potassium ions in the urine, which occurs when diuresis is stimulated. They are prescribed for cardiac edema, as with kidney failure such agents are contraindicated. In the treatment of renal edema, potassium-sparing diuretics are used - Amiloride, Veroshpiron, Triamiteren.
• Drugs - cardioprotectors. Their action is aimed at strengthening the heart muscle, that is, eliminating the main cause of heart failure and associated swelling.

With venous edema, the treatment regimen includes:

• Preparations - phlebotonics (Phlebodia, Troxevasin), the action of which is aimed at strengthening venous vessels, eliminating congestion and improving blood flow in the legs.
• Blood thinners (Cardiomagnyl, Aspekard, Lospirin) help eliminate swelling caused by increased blood viscosity. Blood thinning improves its outflow, prevents congestion and thereby prevents the occurrence of edema.
• External preparations (ointments, gels, creams) help reduce swelling and heaviness in the legs with various venous pathologies, eliminate pain and improve lymphatic drainage. Popular remedies are Lyoton gel, troxevasin ointment, heparin, Hepatrombin ointment and cream.

In addition, with venous insufficiency and varicose veins, compression underwear is used to eliminate edematous syndrome - stockings, socks, stockings or elastic bandages. With their help, it is possible to maintain blood vessels in good shape and prevent the progression of venous insufficiency.

All remedies for swelling of the legs should be prescribed by a doctor after passing the examination and making a diagnosis, you should not take medications on your own, otherwise unpredictable consequences are possible (especially with renal and cardiac edema).

Physiotherapeutic methods in the treatment of edema include the use of pressure therapy procedures or hardware lymphatic drainage. They are widely prescribed for physiological edema. In addition, moderate physical activity, swimming or water aerobics will help to cope with an unpleasant phenomenon. With venous edema, walking or jogging will be beneficial.

Physiotherapy

Can be done at home simple exercises, which help eliminate congestion, improve blood circulation and prevent swelling of the legs. Every evening it is worth taking a little time to study:

• first, do a little warm-up and walk barefoot on the floor for several minutes, rising on your toes;
• then, standing in one place, alternately rise first on your toes, then on your heels;
• scatter pencils, small balls on the floor and try to collect them with your toes;
• put the right foot on the left foot, and from this position rise up as high as possible, then repeat the same action with the other leg;
• from the “sitting” position, bend your toes down, and then sharply unbend;
• stretch your feet for 15 minutes by rolling a small rubber ball on the floor.

Folk remedies from swelling of the legs

How to relieve swelling of the legs and accumulated fatigue if you returned home after a hard day's work? Use time-tested tips. Make a foot massage with pieces of ice, but not simple, but prepared from decoctions of medicinal herbs.

For this purpose, you can use a decoction of chamomile, sage, arnica, peppermint or yarrow. A decoction of these plants has anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties, and if it is frozen, the cold effect of ice cubes will enhance this effect and help to quickly cope with swelling.

A good effect is the use of contrasting foot baths, they quickly relieve fatigue, tone blood vessels and eliminate puffiness. To do this, the feet are alternately lowered into cold and hot water.

Strengthen the therapeutic effect will help sea salt, which should be dissolved in water before the procedure. And if, after water procedures, you carry out self-massage and thoroughly stretch the limbs, starting with the big toe and ending with the thighs, then the heaviness in the legs will disappear and a feeling of lightness will appear.

You can rub your feet with a mixture of turpentine and caste oil, taken in a ratio of 1:2. The oil must be preheated to a comfortable temperature, add turpentine to it and vigorously rub the legs, then put on warm socks.

Another folk recipe recommends taking a decoction of astragalus for swelling of the legs. This remedy not only relieves edema, but also has a beneficial effect on cardiac activity. To prepare a decoction 2 tbsp. l. dry astragalus leaves pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist, filter and take 2 tbsp. l. three times a day. Treatment is continued for 2-3 weeks.

Prevention

To prevent physiological edema that is not associated with concomitant diseases, simple recommendations will help:

• wear comfortable shoes with low, stable heels;
• take time during the day to rest your feet;
• during rest, you can massage your feet and lie down, placing a roller or a folded blanket under your feet;
• in the evening it is useful to do contrast foot baths, foot massage and devote time to therapeutic exercises;
• to prevent swelling, try not to drink a lot of fluids at night and do not eat salty or spicy dishes at dinner

If, despite the implementation of the above recommendations, the edema grows, becomes dense and painful, it is necessary to rush to see a doctor in order to find out the cause of this condition and start the treatment of concomitant diseases in a timely manner.

Edema of the legs is the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the lower extremities, which leads to an increase in their volume. A long flight or moving, sedentary or standing work - all this can cause swelling. If it passes by itself, for example, by the morning it is no longer there, then usually no dangers are hidden behind this symptom. But if the swelling does not go away on its own, then you can not leave this problem unattended, you need to see a doctor.

In order to find out the reason why the legs swell, you need to consult a specialist. There are such main causes of swelling of the lower extremities:

• Phlebeurysm . Puffiness occurs due to the fact that the blood begins to circulate poorly, it enters the tissues, increases in volume.
• Heart failure . In violation of cardiac output, stagnation of blood occurs. In addition, when the heart does not work properly, the kidneys receive a signal that the heart throws out very little blood. At the same time, the kidneys begin to secrete special substances that retain salt, and that goes into the tissues, takes water with it, so the swelling increases.
• Violation of the lymph flow. It is characterized by damage to the ankle joint, then the legs, knees.
• Kidney diseases. In this case, in addition to swelling of the legs, the face also swells.

In order to determine the cause of swelling of the legs, it is necessary to undergo an examination. The most informative is ultrasonic angioscanning.

Treatment of edema: the use of diuretics

To quickly remove excess fluid, doctors prescribe diuretics to patients. These diuretics for swelling of the legs should be prescribed only by a specialist after establishing the exact cause of the problem. Accept medicines you need to be careful, strictly in the dosage that the doctor gave. Otherwise, you can hurt yourself. After all, diuretics, together with stagnant fluid, are removed from the body and useful material: calcium, magnesium.

The most popular drugs for swelling of the legs are:

• "Furosemide" - helps relieve swelling caused by heart disease.
• "Hypothiazid" - acts very quickly, after a few hours the swelling disappears.
• "Lasix" - helps to remove puffiness of renal origin.
• "Amiloride", "Triamteren" - are prescribed for mild swelling of the legs.
• "Clopamide" - helps to cope with swelling caused by varicose veins.

Diuretic leg swelling remedies must be taken very carefully. If the dosage and duration of use are not observed, dehydration may occur.

Do you know how to understand that you have swelling of the legs? You need to press your finger on the inside of the lower leg or in a place above the ankle. If, when pressed, a hole appears that does not come off or comes off, but slowly, then this indicates the appearance of puffiness.

Alternative methods of treating swelling of the legs

Despite the fact that official medicine has long known how to deal with swelling of the lower extremities, nevertheless treatment of swelling of the legs folk remedies has not lost its relevance. The explanation for this is simple: folk remedies do not have side effects, and the result is sometimes no worse than from pharmacy drugs.

Let's take a look at the popular effective methods folk therapy from edema:

diuretic collection

Take in equal quantities such plants in dry form: birch buds, horsetail, knotweed. One tablespoon of raw materials pour 250 ml of boiling water, put in a water bath (for 15 minutes). Drink warm, 1 tbsp. l. three times a day. The course of application is until the problem is completely eliminated.

Kalanchoe juice tincture

Pass fresh leaves of the plant through a meat grinder. Fill a half-liter jar 1/3 full. Pour alcohol on top, leave for 2 weeks in a dark place. Rub the swollen legs with the finished tincture before going to bed until the liquid is completely absorbed. Then put on socks made of natural fabric for the night. Also, this tincture can be taken orally 1 tbsp. l.

Massage with ice cubes

Ice cubes based on herbs help to remove puffiness well. It is necessary to prepare a decoction of sage, eucalyptus or yarrow, pour it into a mold, freeze. Wipe, rub swollen feet with pieces of ice.

Sea salt bath

Fill a bowl with water at room temperature, add a handful of sea salt. Lower your legs, hold them for 15 minutes. After that, get wet with a towel, lightly massage the swollen places.

Self massage

After a shower, it is useful to do a massage from edema: first knead your toes, then your lower leg, knee and thigh. It is useful to carry out light pressure on the nail plates and the base of the fingers.

How to relieve swelling in the legs found out, but we still need to consider how to prevent this problem from occurring in the future. To do this, you need to follow these recommendations:

• Limit the use of salt, coffee, alcohol.
• Take care of your feet: wear comfortable, proper shoes; refuse socks with a tight elastic band; as often as possible to change the position of the body when sitting or standing.
• Do sports, exercise, walking, swimming, etc. Physical exercise improve blood microcirculation, prevent accumulation, stagnation of fluid in the extremities.
• Drink at least 1.5 liters of water throughout the day. It helps to remove excess salt from the body. However, you should not drink water before going to bed, then there is a possibility of puffiness in the morning.
• When resting, try to keep your legs above body level to prevent blood stasis.
• Take multivitamins and supplements with magnesium - 200 mg of magnesium 2 times a day. Often, the legs swell due to a lack of magnesium. This is especially common in pregnant women.
• Timely treat the cause of the swelling on the lower extremities.

Edema in the legs is a symptom that requires competent treatment. In order to quickly fix the problem, you need to approach its solution comprehensively.

swollen leg - symptom is disturbing and unpleasant. When the legs swell and hurt, the person is not able to walk normally.

In addition, persistent or recurrent swelling is a symptom of fluid stagnation in the lower extremities, which, in turn, indicates serious illness.

What can cause swelling?

Injuries and their consequences

Description

Ask your question to a neurologist for free

Irina Martynova. Graduated from the Voronezh State medical University them. N.N. Burdenko. Clinical intern and neurologist of BUZ VO \"Moscow Polyclinic\".

A kick to the leg causes tissues of the latter are deformed and damaged. The body through damaged vessels sends a set of fluids to the sore spot, which should eliminate the consequences. When fluids accumulate at some point, swelling occurs.

The nature of the pain

Pain - aching, pulling, can be burning. Localized at the site of impact.

Expert opinion

Filimoshin Oleg Alexandrovich

Doctor -

Edema develops around the injured area, has a pink, red or purple color.

Additional symptoms

There may be limited mobility.

Who diagnoses and how?

Traumatologist. Methods: examination, X-ray.

Treatment

Bed rest, limiting the load on the affected limb, cold compresses, ointments.

Overvoltage after load

Description

This problem occurs in older people who incorrectly calculate the load on their body. After a long walk, intense jogging or a set of exercises, a small but unpleasant swelling with pain appears on the legs. Why are the legs swollen? Under load, the heart begins to send blood through the vessels faster, and the roughened walls of the vessels are not able to expand so quickly.

Expert opinion

Filimoshin Oleg Alexandrovich

Doctor - neurologist, city polyclinic of Orenburg. Education: Orenburg State medical Academy, Orenburg.

As a result, there is a slight stagnation, due to which part of the fluid penetrates the tissues through the walls of the vessels. This is how swelling occurs.

The nature of the pain

Pain is itchy or tight weak. Edema spreads throughout the leg, but more - along its lower part.

Additional symptoms

Shortness of breath, intense sweating, frequent urge to go to the toilet, "flies" before the eyes.

Who diagnoses and how?

Therapist, cardiologist. Methods: survey, ECG, diagnostics by exclusion.

Treatment

Reduced intensity of training, diuretics after exercise (very rarely and according to indications).

A sharp increase in activity

Description

Jumping, dancing, sudden jogging is very good, but only for a prepared organism. If you sit for 8 hours in one position, and then abruptly run a kilometer - feet won't thank you.

This is due to the fact that with a sharp load, internal injuries occur, leading to edema.

The nature of the pain

Pain sensations arise sharply, at first they are characterized as sharp and strong, but quickly subside to moderate, aching. Puffiness occurs inside the leg, quickly grows to an internal hematoma. Dissolves slowly.

Additional symptoms

Joint pain may occur.

Who diagnoses and how?

Surgeon, traumatologist, therapist. Methods: palpation, ultrasound and x-ray - if necessary.

Treatment

The same as with injuries: rest, compresses, diuretics.

Arthritis, arthrosis

Description

Both diseases mean that in the joints a pathological process. In the case of arthritis - inflammation, in the case of arthrosis - degenerative disorders. If one of these diseases damages the vascular system in the joint, periodic swelling occurs, as the swollen joint blocks the normal outflow of fluid.

The nature of the pain

Pain is localized in the joint, as well as slightly above and below it. Aching, drawing pains disturb the patient in the late afternoon, at night or in the morning. Edema occurs mainly in the morning, localized above or below the joint, depending on the joint itself and which vessels are clamped.

The pain goes away if you "disperse".

Additional symptoms

Arthritis and arthrosis often manifest themselves systemically, that is, they occur in several joints at once.

Who diagnoses and how?

Rheumatologist, orthopedist. Methods: blood and urine tests, ultrasound, X-ray, analysis of synovial fluid.

Treatment

Depends on the causes of the disease:, exercise therapy, a healthy lifestyle, prosthetics.

Post-traumatic tissue inflammation

Description

Injuries are dangerous not only for their momentary effect, but also for delayed action. If the patient is faced with an open wound that has not been cured, then the infection can penetrate the inside of the leg and cause inflammation or (even worse) lie low in anticipation of a failure of the immune system.

In any of these cases, pathogenic organisms will cause inflammation, which will provoke the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the leg.

The nature of the pain

Pain sensations - medium strength, burning. They are located under the skin at the site of inflammation. The edema spreads in the same place.

Additional symptoms

Temperature, secondary infections.

Who diagnoses and how?

Therapist. Methods: blood tests.

Treatment

antibiotics, antiviral drugs.

Inflammation, suppuration, bone destruction

Description

Pathological processes in the bones occur both for infectious and non-infectious reasons. And the result is the same - the bone is destroyed. Any part of the leg can suffer: both the tibia and the foot. The process usually proceeds slowly and with the release of a large amount of decay products into the surrounding tissues.

The latter, mixing with tissue fluid, form a swelling.

The nature of the pain

Pain increases from moderate breaking to extremely sharp. In some cases, the pain is worse than with a fracture. Edema also forms gradually, does not subside, spreads from the damaged area throughout the leg.

Additional symptoms

Change in the blood formula, fragility of bones. Sometimes it's temperature.

Who diagnoses and how?

Therapist, surgeon. Methods: history taking, blood tests, X-ray, puncture, diagnostic surgery.

Treatment

Medication - antibiotics, drugs with a high content of calcium.

In difficult cases operation shown.

For symptoms of bone destruction urgent need to see a doctor, as the consequences develop quickly and irreversibly.

Diseases, lesions of arteries and veins

Description

Among the reasons why long-term or recurrent swelling occurs, the circulatory system of the legs is rightfully in the lead. The narrowing and deformation of the lumen leads to the fact that the blood stagnates in the legs.

There are two main causes: atherosclerosis and varicose veins.

With atherosclerosis, atherosclerotic plaques grow in the walls of the veins or arteries, which narrow the lumen of the vessel - this pathology is called stenosis. Atherosclerosis is dangerous not only by narrowing the lumen of the vessel, but also by the fact that the plaque can come off and go free swimming through the circulatory system.

If it clogs an artery, a heart attack will occur.

Varicose veins are a condition in which the veins dilate due to high blood pressure or genetic failures. The problem is that the expansion is "violent" in nature, the veins are damaged and cannot be restored. As a result, more blood accumulates in the veins, which inflates them even more and removes some of the fluid from the bloodstream. As a result, swelling increases, appears, blood circulation is disturbed.

The nature of the pain

Pain syndrome makes itself known at night and in the morning, because at this time the heart works weaker and the muscles do not receive proper nutrition. The patient is tormented by night cramps, severe morning pains. The latter are burning in nature and envelop the entire leg.

Swelling increases slowly, but does not go away or goes away for a short time.

Additional symptoms

Circulatory disorders, ischemic heart disease, a history of heart attacks.

Who diagnoses and how?

Phlebologist. Methods: examination, dopplerography, X-ray with contrast.

Treatment

Conservative treatment is in the right way of life smoking cessation, moderate exercise and supportive drug therapy.

In the case when the disease threatens the life of the patient, the doctor prescribes an operation.

Tumors, bone metastases

Description

Benign and malignant tumors in the bones, as well as metastases, can block blood flow. It is worth noting that with this pathology only one leg swells.

The nature of the pain

Pain increases over many days and weeks. Pressing, weak at first. swelling on early stages occurs at night, in the morning and after physical activity, in the later ones it exists on its own and is preserved.

Additional symptoms

Oncology according to the results of a blood test.

Who diagnoses and how?

Methods: tests, studies with contrast, MRI.

Treatment

Chemotherapy or surgery.

blood stasis

Description

Blood stasis itself rarely occurs. Most often it is associated with improper functioning of the heart or blood vessels. But in rare cases, the blood itself can be the cause - for example, if it is too thick.

The cause can be both diseases of the hematopoietic system and metabolic disorders.

The nature of the pain

Pain in this case does not occur. Edema increases with rest and immobility and subsides with active movements.

Additional symptoms

Elevated hematocrit, symptoms of leukemia in the blood formula (both symptoms are rare).

Who diagnoses and how?

Therapist. Methods: blood test.

Treatment

Depends on the cause of blood stasis.

Fluid accumulation in kidney disease

Description

Kidneys - organ that removes fluid from the body. If the kidneys stop working normally, then the patient develops edema. First, puffiness appears in the bags under the eyes, then it goes to the face, the next stage is the limbs.

This is where the legs start to hurt.

Edema from the kidneys can be recognized as follows: it is very fluid (that is, the lower part sags a little under the influence of its gravity) and flows under the skin if you press on it. The pits from pressing do not remain.

The nature of the pain

Pain is manifested by fatigue of the legs, from constant friction on the shoes, the skin begins to hurt.

Additional symptoms

Frequent urge to urinate, swelling of other parts of the body.

Who diagnoses and how?

Nephrologist. Methods: examination, palpation, urine tests.

Treatment

Diuretics are almost always prescribed.

The rest of the treatment program depends on the pathology that caused the problem.

Description

Nerves along with the brain perform two main functions:

• react to external stimuli;
• regulate the constancy of the internal environment (homeostasis).

If the brain begins to send the wrong commands to the nerve endings during the regulation of internal processes, neuropathy occurs. For example, the brain can give an impulse to a sharp expansion of the vessels of the legs, and a person's pressure will drop sharply. If there is no return command, edema will occur.

The reasons most often lie in diabetes mellitus or past viral diseases.

The nature of the pain

Pain syndrome occurs suddenly, can be localized both at one point and along the entire nerve - from the brain to the leg. It is possible that there will be no pain at all. Swelling is accompanied by spasm or unusual sensations in the leg, occurs abruptly.

Additional symptoms

Spasms, involuntary muscle contractions.

Who diagnoses and how?

Neurologist. Methods: careful history taking, blood test for ESR, radiography chest.

Treatment

The course of treatment consists of taking pills and is selected strictly individually.

Spinal nerve root problems

Description

If the lower spine suffered from a compression fracture or intervertebral hernia, two problems arise at once: the nerve roots and blood vessels are clamped. Pain always appears, but with a particularly unfortunate set of circumstances, the veins are also squeezed, from which swelling appears.

The nature of the pain

Pain syndrome - acute, cutting, "shooting". It starts from the lower spine and goes down, most often along one of the legs.

The leg swells in the same way - from the spine and down.

Additional symptoms

Limited mobility, cramps, leg numbness.

Who diagnoses and how?

Neurologist, surgeon. Methods: CT, MRI.

Treatment

Conservative - with the help of exercise therapy, blockades and medications. Surgical - by releasing the clamped structures.

Swelling with redness, pain and swelling in one leg

Redness appears in one of two cases: either with trauma, when blood enters the liquid, or with hyperemia of the skin - for example, when arterial blood has accumulated in the arteries.

The right leg or the left leg (but not both at once) can swell with: injuries, malignant neoplasms, destructive processes in the bone, problems with the spine, tissue inflammation, rarely with arthritis and arthrosis.

In other cases, both legs are hit at once.

When should you go to the doctor?

As soon as swelling appeared. Edema often means a problem which threatens health. And the decision of the question of what caused it - overwork or a swollen joint - is better to entrust the doctor.

Be sure to watch the following video

First aid for pain

Swollen leg and pain - what to do? It depends on how quickly it swelled up. If the process has developed quickly - call an ambulance. If the liquid arrives slowly, you can get to the hospital on your own.

In both cases, the patient must be laid on his back and put something under his legs - this will cause the outflow of fluid from the legs.

Separately, it is worth mentioning minor injuries, as they can be processed independently. It is necessary to give the diseased limb rest and limit fluid intake. The swelling should subside after a few hours. You can apply a cold compress.

You should not prescribe medications to yourself, even diuretics, until the cause of the edema is clarified.

If pain syndrome complicated by edema - this means that, in addition to the nerves of the legs, the vessels or kidneys were affected. The swelling puts pressure on internal structures legs and interferes with normal walking, so the sooner it is eliminated, the easier it will be for the patient.

Remember

1. Symptoms can appear due to: injuries and their consequences, overexertion, arthritis and arthrosis, inflammation and suppuration, bone destruction, disease, damage to arteries and veins, tumors, blood stagnation and fluid accumulation, neuropathy, problems with nerve roots.
2. Diagnostic methods: clinical examination, history taking, X-ray, ECG, diagnosis by exclusion, palpation, ultrasound, blood, urine and synovial fluid tests, diagnostic surgery, dopplerography.
3. Treatment: exercise restriction, cold compresses, ointments, diuretics, antibiotics, preparations with hyaluronic acid and high calcium content, exercise therapy, healthy lifestyle management, diuretics, blockades, surgery.
4. It is necessary to make an appointment with a specialist as soon as the problem arose, in order to avoid disastrous consequences.
5. First aid: before the ambulance arrives, lie on your back with something under your legs, ensure peace, limit fluid intake.

Swelling of the legs is a fairly common phenomenon. This is an increase in tissue volume due to the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space. Edema can be localized in any part of the body, but most often it is formed on the legs - the lower leg and ankle. This is due to the maximum load on the legs and the lowest position of the feet relative to the rest of the body. Swelling of the legs always indicates a malfunction in the body. Often this can be a sign of temporary discomfort - malnutrition, pregnancy, etc. But if edema appears regularly and does not depend on the influence of the external environment, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Perhaps swelling is a symptom of a more serious disease.

How swelling of the legs manifests itself

As a rule, swelling of the legs is noticeable purely visually. First, these will be traces of gum socks on the lower leg. Then the patient may feel a feeling of constriction and discomfort in the usual shoes. If a woman wears sandals, she will definitely notice traces of the straps, which, as it were, fell into the loose and soft fabric. Puffiness increases in the evening, after hard physical work or, conversely, after a long stay in a motionless form. Swelling in the legs Lately has become an office disease, as people are forced to sit at the computer in one position throughout the working day. Puffiness also increases after exposure to the sun. If you notice swelling of the limbs, you need to follow the symptom for several days. At physiological changes the swelling will go away in a few days. If your condition does not change, you need to find out the cause of the resulting edema as soon as possible.

Why do legs swell

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

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

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

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

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

When to See a Doctor

If you notice a slight swelling in your legs after drinking beer with salted nuts in the evening, the reason for this swelling is obvious. In this case, the swelling will go away on its own after a while, you should not even worry about it. If the swelling does not go away for more than a week or only increases each time, you should definitely go to the doctor. As a rule, at first it will be a therapist who can refer you to narrower specialists - a cardiologist, phlebologist, traumatologist, nephrologist, etc. depending on the cause of the swelling.

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

Medical treatment of swelling of the legs

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

1. Diuretic drugs. They will help to remove excess fluid from the body, which is "stuck" in the intercellular space. Such therapy is effective in cardiac and renal edema. Among the most effective are Furosemide, Trifas, Lasix, Uregit, etc.
2. Potassium. The drug is prescribed for cardiac disorders. Potassium is needed to restore deficiency after washing out with diuretics. Among such funds, Asparkam and Panangin can be distinguished. In general, potassium preparations are very useful for the work of the heart muscle. However, they are contraindicated in renal failure.
3. Cardioprotectors. They do not act directly on puffiness, but they perfectly improve the functioning of the heart so that it pumps blood better in the veins and arteries. The group of cardioprotective drugs is very large, a specific drug is selected depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.
4. Phlebotonics are needed for diseases of the veins. They strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve blood circulation. Among these funds are Troxevasin, Detralex, Normoven, etc.
5. Drugs that thin the blood. They are also necessary for the complex treatment of veins and cardiac pathologies. If the blood is viscous, it is more difficult to pump through the arteries and veins. But a more liquid consistency moves through the arteries much easier. Among these drugs, Aspecard, Cardiomagnyl, Lospirin, etc. can be distinguished.
6. Local ointments and gels. Local action is effective at varicose veins veins and even with simple overexertion. Such funds increase blood circulation, the severity of edema subsides in just a matter of minutes. Among such remedies are Troxevasin, Heparin ointment, Lyoton, Venarus, etc. For erysipelas, local antibiotic therapy is used - Levomekol is applied to the skin.

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

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

Folk recipes for swelling of the legs

Here are some effective and popular recipes that will help you get rid of swollen feet.

1. Mint decoction. Prepare a decoction at the rate of one tablespoon of the dried plant per liter of boiling water. Drink a liter of decoction during the day, the next morning the swelling will become much less pronounced.
2. Lemon, cucumber and carrot. To get rid of edema, we will prepare a diuretic cocktail. Squeeze juice from cucumber, lemon and carrots - about half a glass each. Mix the ingredients and dilute the juice in half with water. Drink the composition in small portions throughout the day.
3. Corn silk. A decoction of them is very useful, especially for kidney pathologies. Zhmenu corn stigmas should be poured with a liter of boiling water and insisted in a thermos for at least a day. Drink half a glass 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals.
4. Birch leaves. Birch leaves also perfectly relieve excess fluid in the body. A handful of dried or fresh leaves should be poured with boiling water and insisted in a warm place for about three hours. Drink 200 ml in the morning and evening.
5. Parsley. This herb is great for treating swollen feet. Parsley should be actively eaten, decoctions should be prepared on its basis, local compresses should be made.
6. Hawthorn. This decoction will help you get rid of swelling if they occur due to heart problems. Dry fruits and leaves of hawthorn should be poured with boiling water and infused for 5-6 hours. The output should be a strong decoction, which must be taken in half a glass three times a day.
7. Raw potatoes. Compresses based on it are effective against swelling of the legs. Grate the potatoes, place the pulp on swollen tissues, cover with a film and leave for 20-30 minutes. Then remove the compress, wipe your feet with a dry towel, but do not wash! After a while, the swelling will subside.
8. Pumpkin. Eat pumpkin as much as possible to get rid of kidney and heart diseases. Pure pumpkin juice is very useful.

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

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

Video: what to do if the legs swell