My legs began to swell. Hidden edema

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• First, leg swelling can be reduced by positional drainage

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

• Limiting fluid and salt intake

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

• Simple exercises and foot massage

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

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

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

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

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

• Taking aromatic baths or foot baths

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

How to reduce leg swelling depending on the cause?

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

Orthostatic edema

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

Nephrotic edema

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

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

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

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

Cardiac edema

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

Chronic heart failure is treated using:

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

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

Venous edema

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

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

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

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

Lymphedema

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

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

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

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

Swelling of the legs in pregnant women

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

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

How are diuretics selected?

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

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

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

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

Diuretics are selected as follows:

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

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

Many people are familiar with such an unpleasant phenomenon as swelling of the legs. Most often, the problem quickly disappears on its own; you just need to rest your feet for a few hours. It is much worse when swelling occurs regularly and is accompanied by pain, changes in skin color and other alarming symptoms. This may be a sign of one of the diseases that we will talk about.

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Heart failure

Edema caused by heart failure has the following features:

• swelling forms on the shins of both legs;
• they do not cause pain, but become painful when pressed;
• the skin in the swollen areas is bluish in color and cold to the touch;
• swelling is motionless;
• fluid accumulates in the evening or morning (after sleep).

Patients with heart failure often complain that their legs are numb and cold. When lying down for a long time, the face, arms and lower back may swell. In addition to edema, the pathology is manifested by arrhythmia, periodic chest pain and shortness of breath that occurs at the slightest exertion.

Heart failure is very dangerous. Ignoring its symptoms and refusing treatment can lead to the most dire consequences. If you notice swelling of your legs, accompanied by the listed signs, you should urgently consult a doctor.

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Rheumatism and rheumatic carditis

Rheumatism is a non-infectious disease, manifested by inflammation of the joints, as well as various parts of the heart (myocarditis, endocarditis and pericarditis). The disease is usually accompanied by symmetrical swelling of the legs, painless when pressed. The fluid accumulates gradually, swelling increases in the evening, and disappears completely or partially overnight.

With rheumatic carditis, fever, shortness of breath (even at rest), discomfort in the heart area (appears when lying on the left side), and heart rhythm disturbances are also observed.

The development of rheumatism and rheumatic carditis most often occurs against the background of streptococcal infection, which primarily affects the respiratory tract. Such diseases require serious treatment, so the patient should be under the supervision of a doctor. It is important to note that the first signs of these diseases are often blurred and can easily be confused with ordinary fatigue or the consequences of stress. Ignoring these symptoms is very dangerous, because if left untreated, the disease can become chronic.

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Venous insufficiency

Pathologies associated with venous insufficiency are varied. Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis of the vessels of the legs are manifested by constant swelling and pain. The skin over the swelling becomes red and hot, the swelling feels dense to the touch and cannot be pierced by fingers. Patients note heat in the lower extremities (the feet “burn”). Diseases of this kind are very dangerous and require urgent treatment. Delay is fraught with very serious (and even fatal) complications.

Varicose veins are a very common problem, affecting about a third of women over 30 years of age and more than half of women of retirement age. The first signs are a feeling of heaviness and pain in the legs, as well as the gradual development of swelling in the calves and ankles, intensifying in the evening and disappearing after a night's rest. If the disease is not treated, the veins in the legs become noticeable. They resemble crimped, gnarled cords with raised knots. In severe cases, the skin on the ankles becomes brown, hemorrhages and trophic ulcers appear.

Venous insufficiency of the lower extremities is a dangerous condition. It is treated over a long period of time by taking medications and wearing compression garments, and in some cases, by surgery.

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Kidney pathologies

Impaired kidney function leads to stagnation of fluid in the body. Leg swelling associated with these disorders is usually located on the top of the feet. They are symmetrical and soft to the touch. Unlike edema caused by cardiovascular pathologies, renal edema more often appears in the morning. Patients suffering from kidney failure often experience rapid swelling of the lower legs, caused by excessive fluid intake.

Diagnostic signs indicating the presence of kidney problems are also swelling under the eyes, changes in the daily amount, color and smell of urine, nagging pain in the lumbar region.

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Thyroid dysfunction

Swelling of both legs in the ankle area may indicate insufficient production of thyroid hormones. The swelling looks like pads; when pressed with your fingers, deep pits remain on them. If the pathology progresses, myxedema may develop, a condition manifested by the accumulation of fluid in all tissues of the body. The skin of such patients seems puffy and lifeless, its surface becomes rough, peels, and acquires a yellowish tint.

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Allergy

Allergic swelling of the legs can develop in response to taking certain medications, insect bites, or eating certain types of foods. The lesion looks like a dense, uniform swelling that does not leave marks when pressed. The surface of the skin turns red, becomes covered with a small reddish rash and is very itchy. The patient complains of pain in the affected limb, which occurs with the slightest strain or prolonged stay in one position.

To solve the problem, it is urgent to stop contact with the allergen and take an antihistamine.

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Injuries

When a leg is broken, swelling of the tissues located next to the damaged area of ​​the bone occurs within a short time. The skin over the damaged area becomes bluish, and increasing pain occurs. The limb may become fixed in an unnatural position.

With a bruise, swelling also develops, which prevents normal movement of the leg. The hematoma appears after a few days, and the pain, sharp at first, gradually subsides.

If there is a suspicion of a leg injury, you cannot wait. To avoid serious problems, you must immediately go to an emergency room or hospital and undergo an x-ray to determine the nature of the damage.

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Liver diseases

With severe liver damage (cirrhosis, malignant neoplasms), a condition called portal hypertension develops. It is associated with the cessation of albumin production, the deficiency of which leads to metabolic disorders and stagnation of blood in the systemic circulation. As a result, dense swelling of the legs occurs in the ankle area. Other signs of portal hypertension are changes in skin tone (yellowing), redness of the palms of the hands, accumulation of fluid in the anterior abdominal wall (ascites), and difficulty breathing. Men develop gynecomastia (enlarged breasts).

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

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

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

Edema syndrome is differentiated primarily by appearance:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Causes of swelling of the legs with chronic manifestations of pathology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The pathological causes of edema are varied, so you should not make a diagnosis yourself

7. Endocrine edema possible with hypothyroidism, accompanied by other symptoms of thyroid disease: bradycardia, decreased metabolism, depression, deep voice, etc.

Diseases as a cause of swelling of the lower extremities

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

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

Table. Diseases whose symptoms are swelling of the legs

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

Medicines that cause leg swelling

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

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

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

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

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

Causes of lymphatic edema of the lower extremities

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

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

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

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

There are 2 types of lymphostasis:

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

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

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


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

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

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

Causes of swelling of the legs in the evening

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

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

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


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

The main causes of swelling of the legs in women

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

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

The main causes of swelling of the legs in men

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

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

Rare causes leading to edema of the lower extremities

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

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

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

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

Swelling in the legs - 8 causes:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diseases that cause swelling of one limb

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

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

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

Associated symptoms and diagnosis of pathology

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

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

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

Diagnostic stages

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

What is the danger of swelling in one leg?

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

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

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

First aid for detecting edema

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

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

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

Which doctor should I contact?

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

Treatment methods

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

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

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

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

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

Alternative remedies for relieving swelling in the left leg

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

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

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

Herbs to treat swelling

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

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

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

Elimination of edema due to varicose veins

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prevention of swelling

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

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

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

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

The so-called edema of subcutaneous fat appears due to eating salty, sweet or alcoholic foods. These are not the swellings when in the morning the eyes turn into slits or by the evening the feet do not fit into the shoes. In our case, excess water is evenly distributed throughout the subcutaneous layer of fat cells, and not collected in one area. You won’t be able to see such swelling with the naked eye, except that the wrinkles on the face will smooth out slightly, and the rings and bracelets will become a little tight. Objectively, a person feels that clothes have become tighter, it is more difficult to bend over, and stretching has worsened.

Where does it come from?

The main cause of fluid retention is salt. It is found not only in the salt shaker, but also in many other dishes. For a healthy diet, it is recommended to consume 5-6 g of salt (one teaspoon) per day. This is the amount that we add to soup, porridge and other dishes. But salt enters the body not only from the salt shaker, but also with food. There is a lot of it in marinades, pickles, cheese, sausages, bread and other dishes. If you are a fan of such foods, swelling evenly distributed throughout the body may be your problem. In this case, weight loss will slow down significantly.

Why is it bad?

The retained fluid clogs the cells, slowing down the metabolism in it, and hence the breakdown of fat. In addition, fluid stagnation almost always means cellulite, and then problems with blood vessels. Excess fluid also puts increased stress on the heart.

In principle, the body is able to remove excess fluid itself. If you overeat too much salty food once, then after 1-2 days your figure will return to its previous shape. However, much depends on your body’s individual tendency to retain fluid.

In any case, limiting salt to one teaspoon per day and eliminating salty foods from your diet while losing weight is the right decision. Don't forget about the counterbalance of sodium - potassium. It helps remove excess fluid from the body without any diuretics, which should not be used without a doctor's prescription. There is a lot of potassium in greens and leafy vegetables, bananas, potatoes. If it is not hot outside and you do not sweat during sports training, it is useful to limit the amount you drink to 1-1.5 liters per day.

How to fight

There are several more specific techniques that are needed for those who have hidden swelling that prevents them from losing weight.

• When starting to lose weight, spend 3-4 days on a salt-free diet. That is, avoid not only salt, but also foods high in sodium. You can spend a fasting day, for example, on milk. During the day you need to drink 800 ml of warm milk in 8 doses (100 ml each) - it works as a mild natural diuretic. On this day you can add 2 baked potatoes, 1 piece of white bread, and one egg to milk. Or carry out potassium unloading, that is, eat foods high in potassium. For example, during the day eat 50 g of soaked dried apricots and 5-6 bananas.
• Go to the sauna or bathhouse to get a good sweat (of course, if there are no contraindications to this). In the steam room, the body warms up, blood vessels dilate, blood circulation increases - and excess fluid comes out not only through the kidneys, but also with sweat through the skin. If this is not possible, you can take a hot bath with sea salt, it also helps remove excess fluid.
• Take up swimming or water aerobics. Water pressure improves blood circulation - just what is needed to remove excess fluid. Any walking is also good, just a walk in the fresh air, rollerblading or cycling, jogging. Remember, any load during fluid retention should involve as many muscles as possible, that is, walking is preferable to abdominal pumping. Don't strive for hard training. Leave them until the fluid disappears and thereby reduces the load on the musculoskeletal system and heart.

Actress, TV presenter Anna Oris

Every day I do exercises for 15-40 minutes or go to hatha yoga, dancing, cycling. I also eat 5 times a day in small portions (sweets, salty, less fatty foods), drink at least two liters of water a day. And of course, I do various massages, wraps, scrubs, including at home.