How to get rid of leg swelling at home

Swelling on the legs is the most common problem that occurs mainly in the female. The main feature of this disease is an unpleasant sensation in the lower extremities, discomfort and fatigue. Most people suffering from periodic swelling of the legs do not pay particular attention to this problem, however, the disease requires mandatory treatment due to the fact that swelling can be the result of a dangerous ailment. In order to prevent or get rid of swelling in the legs, you need to know the causes of this disease, types, as well as known methods of treatment and prevention.

Causes of edema

Swelling of the legs occurs due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body. However, in addition to this well-known reason, there are several more reasons for the development of puffiness:

• Overweight
• Hours of work sitting or standing
• Great physical activity
• Uncontrolled power sports
• Constantly wearing high-heeled shoes
• Excessive salt intake

However, often swelling of the legs is not the disease itself, but only a side effect of another, more dangerous disease.

Kidney disease
Very often, with any pathology of the kidneys, swelling of the legs on the back occurs. This ailment arises as if by itself - there is no itching, no fever, no pain - there is only heaviness in the legs and general discomfort. You can also learn that edema is caused by kidney disease by such changes as bags under the eyes, a change in the color and amount of urine, and swelling of the eyelids. If you notice such symptoms in yourselves, contact your physician immediately. You may need to undergo an ultrasound and pass additional tests.

Phlebeurysm
Very often, the symptoms of this disease (swelling that occurs in the evening, heaviness in the legs and specific pain) are equated with normal occupational fatigue. However, it is they that indicate the onset of a serious disease, the probability of cure of which at the first stage is very high.

With varicose veins, one or two legs can swell, pigmentation or small ulcers are possible. Edema in this case occurs because the blood in the veins and capillaries stagnates, the pressure in the legs rises and all the fluid from the vessels passes into the soft tissues. If you suspect varicose veins, you must visit an angiosurgeon.

Thrombosis
Thrombosis in essence is very similar to varicose veins, only provides more health hazards. With such a disease, leg edema may not go away for hours, causing unbearable pain. To get rid of this type of edema, the use of hot baths, compresses, poultices is prohibited! Take only medications prescribed by your doctor.

Heart failure
Swelling on the legs (usually in the lower leg) is accompanied by shortness of breath, wheezing in the lungs, and tachycardia. They may not pass for a long time.

Thyroid disease
Edema occurs in the lower part of the legs. It is accompanied by drowsiness, chills, swelling of the tongue and shoulders.

Regardless of the causes of edematous phenomena, the best solution is to see a doctor, since only with the help of additional studies can a medical officer prescribe effective treatment for you.

Types of edema

The process of edema is very difficult for people with a non-medical specialty to understand. One thing is clear, edema is the result of a violation of the lymphatic system, in which the exchange of fluids is disturbed.In order to more easily understand the essence of such a complex phenomenon, the following classification of types of edema exists:

• Stagnant. Appear due to squeezing or stagnation of blood. Typically, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, are common.
• Cordial. Edema appears, especially often in the lower extremities, due to increased pressure in the veins.
• Inflammatory edema appears in the area of ​​the body infected with microorganisms.
• Allergic edema or toxic edema - with allergies or poisoning (including alcohol).

Despite the fact that swelling of the head or other organs is much worse than the lower extremities, do not neglect your health and consult a doctor as soon as possible if you begin to notice regularly swollen legs.

How to get rid of swelling of the legs

You can remove the usual swelling of the legs, which arose not as a result of a serious disease of various organs, using traditional medicine. Time-tested recipes and effective methods will help overcome unpleasant sensations in the legs after a working day and restore their health.

1. Ice massage. It helps with swelling of the legs from long-term walking in heels. You will need to prepare a decoction of any medicinal herbs, for example, chamomile, pour into forms and freeze. For an evening massage, chop the ice in advance into small pieces, collect it in a cotton bag and massage your legs.
2. A decoction of knotweed. This recipe can rightfully be considered universal. It will help with the prevention of edema and to eliminate discomfort in the legs. Brew a glass of grass with boiling water, let it brew in a water bath or in a thermos for 3 hours and drink this healing drink instead of water all day.
3. Infusion of parsley. Parsley is another plant that will help cope with edema. Prepare a tablespoon of chopped parsley roots, pour 2 cups of boiling water and keep in a thermos for 2-3 hours. Take a teaspoon 5 times a day.
4. Eat more foods containing potassium. Potassium is an indispensable element for the prevention and treatment of leg edema. Try to eat honey, apricots, bananas and peaches as much as possible daily.
5. Foot baths. Water at room temperature with additional ingredients - sea salt and peppermint will save you from tired legs and swelling. Dissolve salt in water, add mint and sit relaxed for 20 minutes. Then rinse your feet in cold water. You will see the effect right away!
6. Pillow under your feet. If your legs swell after a working day, try to sleep at night with a pillow under your feet. By raising the limbs above your head, you will provoke an outflow of blood and swelling will immediately noticeably decrease.
7. Raw potatoes. Raw potatoes help a lot to ease the severity and swelling in the legs. It must be grated, spread the mass over the legs and wrapped with a warm cloth and a plastic bag. Hold the compress for 2 hours, and then change the potatoes to a new one.
8. Leeches Medical leeches also effectively fight leg swelling. Although this method is a bit unpleasant, it lives up to its goals. Even in the sanatoriums of the USSR, various types of edema were treated with leeches. To date, a large number of drugs with leech extracts are on sale.
9. Corn stigmas and posts. That is what is now called effective diuretic collection, which is necessary in the treatment of leg edema. This broth must be drunk 80 ml per day. It positively affects not only the condition of the lower extremities, but also helps cleanse the kidneys and liver.

With swelling of the feet, hot water baths are strictly prohibited! These measures are especially dangerous if you have varicose veins or thrombophlebitis. For regular, non-passing edema, be sure to consult a general practitioner for advice!

How to get rid of swelling in the legs during pregnancy

Edema in a certain amount is the norm that will pass immediately with the birth of the child.Compression of the uterus of blood vessels, excess water, inferior kidney function - all these are the causes of edema. Usually pregnant women complain not only of swelling of the legs, but also of the arms, face, shoulders. Only a gynecologist can determine the norm and pathology in such an "interesting position", therefore we strongly recommend visiting a medical institution immediately at the first sign of swelling. If the doctor has not noticed any deviations, such alternative methods and recipes as:

• Lying upside down daily
• Lead an active lifestyle (by no means sedentary!)
• Drink up to 3 liters of fluid per day. Due to its lack, the body can accumulate it in its tissues.
• Do baths with sea salt. Water temperature should be 30-35 ° C
• Limit or completely discard table salt
• Do not eat smoked and spicy foods, as well as soda, sweet and flour products.
• Sodium-containing foods like olives and nuts will be helpful.
• Various decoctions and tinctures can be taken only after the approval of a doctor.

Medicines for leg edema

In pharmacies, a large selection of medications for swelling in the legs is presented. These are combined tablets, ointments, gels, injections. One of the first noteworthy capsules and ointment "Troxevasin." Comprehensively acting on the problem, they eliminate it in just one course of treatment.

Creams from edema "Venarus", "Lyoton", "Venitan", "Essaven Gel" showed themselves well. It is necessary to apply them regularly, and not only when edema appears, since each of their preparations contains a special substance necessary for the good functioning of the lymph flow.

“Indomethacin” - better known as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, also copes with getting rid of swelling in the legs.

Prevention of the appearance of edema

Prevention of edema in the legs can be the most common gymnastics, wearing comfortable shoes and regular exercise. If your work is predominantly sedentary, teach yourself to take breaks and walk for at least 30 minutes 3 times a day.

Swelling on the legs can be caused by both normal fatigue and be the result of dangerous diseases. Do not trust only your intuition - if you are worried about regular swelling in the legs, pain and discomfort, consult a doctor and find out the true reason for their appearance, in order to effectively overcome this ailment.

Video: how to deal with leg swelling