Foot edema is an increase in the size of the lower limb or swelling that occurs as a result of the presence of excess fluid that accumulates in the soft subcutaneous tissues. Basically, swelling of the foot causes discomfort that extends beyond the site of the swelling. It is recommended to select the necessary treatment.
More often, edema is caused by a specific reaction of the body to a food product or other irritant; chronic edema also occurs. If edema is chronic, the reasons lie in disruption of the functioning of internal organs or malfunctions of the general system of the body.
It is important to notice in time and prevent deterioration of the condition. The key symptoms are:
If any of the listed signs are present, monitor your health. Try to find the cause through a complete examination of the body by a doctor to prescribe treatment.
The causes of foot swelling vary from allergies and fatigue to pregnancy or heart failure.
Most often, the cause of swelling of the soles of the feet, mainly the back of the foot, is renal pathology. Its effects are located at the back of the leg. It is not easy to understand that the problem is in the kidneys; there is no fever, pain or itching. Signs will be swelling of the eyelids and the presence of dark circles near the eyes, decreased urine output and a specific color shade of urine. Kidney disease is dangerous; it is important to understand the cause of edema in a timely manner in order to begin treatment on time.
Symptoms of the disease do not imply the presence of fever, itching, burning, or pain. Visible signs include swelling of the upper part of the eye and dark circles around the eye sockets. A clear sign that determines that you are faced with an intestinal disease is the presence of diarrhea for a long time.
The doctor’s main task is to correctly prescribe treatment for diarrhea once the diarrhea and swelling have passed.
If swelling and increased severity occur closer to the evening half of the day, there is a high probability that this is due to impaired venous outflow, a complete disruption of blood circulation in the lower extremities. Blood begins to stagnate in the veins, leading to excess fluid entering the soft tissues. The swelling is mainly located just below the knee, concentrated in the feet. Such disorders are typical for people who spend most of their time in a standing position or whose work forces them to sit for a long time in an uncomfortable chair. A bad habit of crossing one's legs becomes a provoking step towards illness. It is extremely dangerous to ignore the symptoms of this disease; serious complications are likely. After discovering the disease, you must definitely consult a phlebologist and choose an effective treatment.
If swelling of two or one sole of the foot is detected, lasting several days, you need to urgently consult a doctor, there is a sign of deep vein thrombosis, with the likelihood of developing a complex form of varicose veins.
If, in addition to excessive swelling, you experience shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or an unknown noise in the lungs, especially after walking or just standing, you should urgently go to the hospital due to suspected heart failure. This swelling of the foot intensifies after lunch, extends from the foot to the thighs, and sometimes reaches the abdominal area. If symptoms are detected, it is recommended to consult a cardiologist and begin treatment; in the case of an advanced form, it will be too late. Swelling due to heart failure can be fatal!
Swelling of the feet caused by a malfunction of the thyroid gland is extremely common. They can be easily felt under your fingers with an elastic consistency inside. After light pressure there are no dents, swelling is on the legs. In addition to swelling, drowsiness, chilliness and lethargy of the body are observed. Constipation, swelling of the mouth and shoulders become characteristic. An endocrinologist can help by prescribing medication treatment.
Such swelling of the feet or legs is caused by the presence of an allergen in the body that causes an allergic reaction. Often the allergen is wasp venom. With such swelling, using an antihistamine or ointment will help. It is possible to help by using local compresses based on soda, vodka or vinegar.
During pregnancy, swelling of the legs becomes a common case due to processes occurring in the body of the expectant mother. The load on the kidneys increases many times due to impaired water-salt metabolism and excess fluid in the body tissues. Not the least important factor in swelling of a pregnant woman’s feet is poor blood circulation due to the growth of the uterus. To remove swelling and improve the condition, you need to be regularly observed by a doctor and adhere to the prescribed diet.
If a person is completely healthy, there is no reason to worry, but swelling is present - the cause is excessive fatigue or stress. Perhaps the shoes do not suit your foot type or there is a high heel. To eliminate the problem, you need to rest well, massage the soles, and take a warm bath.
When self-treating edema, remember about water. An adult needs 0.5 liters of water or more per day, depending on weight. Herbal decoctions that have a diuretic effect will be useful. It is possible to brew homemade herbs or buy herbs at the pharmacy.
Let's look at some useful and effective ones:
If the cause of swelling in your legs is fatigue and excessive stress, try gymnastics. Do simple exercises:
Using the tips and methods given, you can easily cope with the treatment and prevention of leg swelling, and restore youth and beauty.
Edema is the accumulation of fluid in tissues, especially under the skin, caused by fluid retention in the body.
There are many types and causes of edema. Pulmonary edema, for example, affects the lungs, and leg edema causes the legs to become swollen and swollen.
Swelling most often occurs under the skin in the arms, hands, legs, feet, ankles, but can also affect the muscles, intestines, lungs, brain and eyes. The very first signs of edema are weight gain, swollen legs or bags under the eyes.
They can occur due to circulatory problems, infections, malnutrition, tissue death, liver disease, and excess fluid and electrolytes in the body. Usually everything starts slowly and gradually or, conversely, sharply and suddenly. This is a fairly common problem, but it may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Edema used to be called dropsy or hydropsia.
Here are some key points about swelling. Read more below.
The manifestation of edema will depend on the cause that causes it, the type of edema and its location, but the common symptoms are pain, swelling and tense skin.
A person with edema may experience:
There are many types of edema. Each of them indicates some kind of health problem. Here are a few of the most common ones.
Peripheral edema : This type of edema is located mainly in the ankles, legs, arms, hands and lungs. Signs of this type of edema include swollen tissue, swollen skin, and difficulty moving body parts.
Pulmonary edema: Excess fluid collects in the lungs, making breathing difficult. This may result from either congestive heart failure or severe lung injury. This is a very serious illness that requires immediate medical attention and can lead to respiratory failure and death.
Cerebral Edema: Edema is localized in the brain. It can occur for a variety of reasons, many of which are potentially life-threatening. Symptoms of cerebral edema include headache, neck pain or discomfort, partial or complete loss of vision, changes in consciousness or mental status, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.
Macular edema : This is a serious complication of diabetic retinopathy. Swelling occurs in the macula, the part of the eye that is responsible for detailed central vision. A person ceases to distinguish colors and notices a deterioration in his vision.
Swelling can appear in other areas of the body, but the ones mentioned above are the most common. If you suffer from edema, remember that edema is a consequence of some disease or malfunction in the body. Therefore, if you constantly experience swelling, then it’s time to consult a doctor to find out how to get rid of swelling in your legs, arms, face and other parts of the body.
The causes of edema are the following health problems.
If one or two lower chambers of the heart have problems pumping blood, it begins to pool in the extremities, causing swelling.
If a person has kidney disease, then most likely there are problems removing excess fluid from the body and sodium from the blood. At the same time, the blood vessels experience enormous pressure, due to which some of the liquid literally seeps into the interstitial space. Swelling appears on the legs and around the eyes.
Damage to the glomeruli and capillaries in the kidneys, which filter waste and remove excess fluid from the blood, can lead to nephrotic syndrome. One of the symptoms of this disease is low blood albumin levels and swelling.
Cirrhosis of the liver negatively affects its functioning. It leads to changes in the secretion of hormones and chemicals that regulate fluids in the body and a decrease in protein production. Because of this, excess fluid seeps through the walls of blood vessels into the surrounding tissue.
Cirrhosis also causes high pressure in the portal vein, the large vein that carries blood from the intestines, spleen and pancreas to the liver. With liver disease, swelling usually appears in the legs and in the abdominal area.
There are medications that significantly increase the risk of swelling:
During pregnancy, women's bodies produce hormones that promote fluid retention, so more fluid and sodium remain inside the body. The causes of swelling of the lower extremities, face and hands during pregnancy in most cases are associated with this.
When a woman is accustomed to sleeping or resting on her back during pregnancy, the enlarged uterus and fetus compress the inferior vena cava, which in turn impedes blood circulation through the femoral veins. This is how swelling of the legs appears, the causes of which lie precisely in the squeezing of this large vein.
During pregnancy, blood clots more easily, which increases the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), another cause of swollen legs in women.
Eclampsia, which is a result of hypertension during pregnancy, can also cause swelling.
Poor nutrition increases the risk of developing edema, namely:
Complications of diabetes are:
The above and some diabetes medications can cause swelling.
Diabetic macular edema is the accumulation of excess fluid in the retina of the eye due to diabetes.
Causes of edema in the brain:
Brain injury: Even a minor blow to the head can cause swelling in the brain.
Stroke : can also cause brain swelling.
About a brain tumor : A lot of fluid always collects around the tumor, especially during the formation of new blood vessels.
Certain foods or insect bites may cause swelling of the face or skin in people with allergies or sensitivities. Severe swelling may be a symptom of anaphylaxis. Swelling of the throat blocks the access of oxygen to the lungs, the person cannot breathe. Urgent medical attention is required.
Thrombus: Any blockage in blood vessels prevents blood from circulating normally. As pressure on the vein increases, fluid begins to leak into the surrounding tissue, causing swelling.
Varicose veins: This disease is a consequence of abnormal functioning of the heart valves. Increased load on the veins leads to the fact that the walls of the vessels expand, lose their elasticity and begin to bulge above the surface of the skin. Therefore, the risk of swelling due to constant pressure is also very high.
Cyst, growth or tumor: Any growth can cause swelling if it compresses a lymphatic duct or vein.
Lymphedema: The lymphatic system removes excess fluid from tissues. Any damage to the lymphatic system, such as surgery, infection or tumor, can lead to swelling.
Prolonged immobility: Patients who are confined to a bed or wheelchair for long periods of time often suffer from swelling. This is due to two factors: body weight pressure and the release of antidiuretic hormone from the pituitary gland.
High altitude: When combined with physical activity, high altitude increases the risk of edema. Acute mountain sickness can lead to pulmonary and cerebral edema.
Burns and sunburn: The skin reacts to heat by retaining fluid. This causes local swelling.
Infection or inflammation: Any body tissue that is exposed to infection or inflammation may become swollen. It is usually most noticeable on the skin.
Menstruation and PMS: During the menstrual cycle, hormone levels fluctuate constantly. In the days leading up to your period, progesterone levels are lower than usual and this can cause fluid retention.
Oral contraceptives: Any drug containing estrogen promotes fluid retention. It often happens that a woman gains weight when she starts taking oral contraceptives. This is often the reason why women's legs swell.
Menopause: During menopause, fluctuations in hormones can cause fluid retention. Hormone replacement therapy can also cause swelling.
Thyroid disease: Hormonal imbalances associated with thyroid disease can lead to swelling.
First of all, if you have problems with swelling, you should consult a therapist.
The doctor will examine the patient and ask him about:
To find out why legs swell, what exactly causes swelling in men, or to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes additional tests or studies:
The type of test will depend on the cause and treatment too. A person with brain swelling may need a CT scan or MRI.
Treatment will also depend on the cause of the swelling.
Diuretics are medications that help remove excess fluid from the body by increasing urine production by the kidneys. Different types of these drugs work differently.
The course of treatment and types of drugs are selected by the attending physician depending on the type of edema. And only the doctor decides how to treat and combat this or that condition and what needs to be done in order for the long-awaited relief from discomfort to occur.
There are several simple tips and methods that will help reduce swelling and prevent their occurrence:
Compression stockings reduce the swelling and discomfort that comes with it.
A massage therapist or physical therapist can help remove excess fluid by massaging problem areas of the body towards the heart.
Oxygen is used to treat some types of edema, for example, patients with cardiogenic pulmonary edema often experience breathing problems and lack of oxygen.
For macular edema, it is recommended to breathe oxygen through the nose to improve vision.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been found to increase the risk of pulmonary edema.
If left untreated, swelling can lead to:
Any disease or illness must be treated on time to avoid future health problems.
What is the reason for swollen feet at the ankles, and how to treat this problem? If small swellings appear frequently, you should visit a doctor. A comprehensive diagnosis of the body will allow us to identify all pathologies and eliminate them at the initial stages of development. Treatment of edema is usually carried out at home using traditional drugs or folk remedies.
Edema is a pathological condition in which fluid accumulation is observed in organs and tissues . If this problem is localized in the ankles or ankles, disturbances in the functioning of the entire body can be suspected. The liquid that accumulates between the cells contains harmful substances that negatively affect the human condition.
The following symptoms indicate ankle swelling:
Swelling can be localized on one or both legs at the same time, which is determined by the doctor when making a diagnosis and searching for directions for therapeutic therapy.
The reasons why the legs swell at the ankles on one side are called:
At the same time, both legs in the ankle area may swell for the following reasons:
It is impossible to treat leg swelling without finding out the exact cause of the pathology . Only eliminating existing health problems will allow you to completely get rid of swelling. In parallel with the main treatment, symptomatic therapy is prescribed, which includes the following:
People who often suffer from edema need to follow some recommendations to prevent their occurrence:
If swelling appears on the left or right leg, you can use one of the folk remedies to get rid of excess fluid in the tissues.
You can use special compresses or ointments against swelling:
If edema forms, you can use one of the medications that must be taken orally:
The presented methods of dealing with edema usually help if you simultaneously treat the main cause that provoked this condition. In this case, the person feels significant relief already on the first day of therapy, and complete recovery occurs over the coming weeks.
Any person, regardless of gender and age, can face the problem of swelling of the legs, and swelling can occur both in patients with chronic diseases and in healthy people. Fluid stagnation is the direct cause of this condition.
In this case, the capillaries simply cannot cope with the removal of excess intercellular fluid, which contributes to its further accumulation. Serious treatment for this problem is not always required, because its severity can be different: ordinary pastiness can be a normal adaptive reaction of the body.
Medical assistance will be required if swelling of the legs in men occurs as a result of any pathological malfunctions in the body (disease of the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and so on).
At the onset of the disease, swelling may not be noticeable, however, there are symptoms by which it can be identified:
If the cause of this phenomenon is not eliminated in time, then swelling and, consequently, symptoms may increase.
There are several clinical stages of edema:
In healthy people, legs may swell due to the following reasons:
Swelling of the feet can also be caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes or walking in high heels for a long time, which leads to increased stress on the feet and impedes blood circulation in the tissues.
Purulent processes on the skin, various injuries. In case of injuries, the swelling is localized near the damaged area, and in case of ulcers, the entire affected area swells.
With fractures, the edema is local, and with ligament damage , it is vague and resembles a hematoma. Diseases of joints and bones. The swelling is located only on one limb and interferes with walking, joint movements, and so on.
Diseases of lymph circulation (lymphedema). With primary lymphedema, swelling occurs on both limbs, with secondary lymphedema - on one. Swelling is localized on the back of the foot, lower leg and/or thigh.
At the beginning of the disease, the edema is mild, but as the process progresses it becomes dense. Does not go away after a night's sleep. The cause of this condition is blockage of the lymphatic vessels and, as a result, a violation of the outflow of lymphatic fluid.
Hypothyroidism. Swelling, as a rule, is bilateral and is localized on the front surface of the lower leg, elastic and does not go away after an overnight rest. The peculiarity of such edema is that when pressure is applied to it, the depression does not remain.
Diabetes . The swelling is bilateral, soft, localized on the feet. The swelling is permanent (that is, it does not go away after rest). The skin over the swelling is pale with a bluish tint. In the absence of adequate therapy, swelling can lead to gangrene and, as a consequence, amputation.
Allergic edema . Bilateral, soft, localized in the area of the legs, feet, ankles, do not change after rest. The occurrence is associated with exposure to an allergen.
Obesity. Swelling associated with excess weight is bilateral, soft, increases towards the end of the day, and is located on the hips, ankles, feet, legs and toes. The mechanism for the development of swelling is as follows: toxins accumulate in adipose tissue and excess fluid is sent to remove them.
Liver diseases . With cirrhosis, bilateral mild swelling is observed, intensifying towards the end of the day. The peculiarity of such swelling is that when pressed, the hole remains for a long time.
Postoperative swelling . Bilateral, soft, located on the lower thirds of the legs and ankles. Disappears after activity is restored. Kidney diseases. Swelling is bilateral, soft, located on the feet, legs and ankles. Does not change during the day. They arise due to a violation of the removal of excess fluid from the body.
Heart failure . It is characterized by the appearance of bilateral soft swelling on the back of the feet, legs and ankles, growing in the evening. The skin over the swelling has a pinkish-bluish tint.
Phlebeurysm . The swelling is bilateral, mild, and occurs in the lower thirds of both legs, rarely spreading to the feet. Disappears after a night's sleep. Swelling is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, tingling and fatigue in the legs.
Vein thrombosis . The swelling is one-sided, depending on the location of the blood clot, it is localized on the thigh or lower leg, the skin tone is cyanotic, does not change throughout the day, is accompanied by tingling, a sensation of “goosebumps”. Appears suddenly.
Older men are much more likely to suffer from swelling than younger men. This is due to a slowdown in metabolism, the tissues become more loose, which contributes to the accumulation of fluid in them.
In addition, with age, pathologies of the heart and blood vessels, arthritis, and so on more often occur, which are accompanied by the appearance of swelling of the legs. It is also important that physical activity decreases over the years.
If swelling is detected, you should consult a therapist, who, after collecting anamnesis, complaints and a thorough examination, will prescribe consultations with specialists. The most frequently prescribed therapy is:
Before prescribing appropriate therapy, it is necessary to find out the cause of the swelling, get specialist advice and undergo an examination of the body, that is, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of the swelling, and not just get rid of this symptom. An exception to this rule is swelling that occurs as a result of intense physical exertion. To eliminate edema formed due to overwork, it is necessary:
To prevent leg swelling, do the following:
The anatomy of women and men is different. Muscle tissue in men is more developed than fat tissue, and blood and lymph circulate faster.
However, the stronger sex is more often susceptible to various injuries, and physical stress on the body is much higher. With age, metabolic processes slow down and after forty years, resistance to the appearance of edema in men is significantly reduced.
Quite often, men do not attach importance to the swelling that appears and postpone treatment until the last minute. If you notice sock marks in the ankle area (which is often one of the first signs of swelling), you should consult a doctor .