Hello, dear readers of the site iwoman.club. Swelling of the legs and arms has bothered everyone at least once in their life. Our body consists of 80% water, and if internal organs do not function properly or physical activity is uneven, it stagnates in the intercellular space of tissues: edema forms. The simplest way to determine is by palpation: we press on the skin on the back of the foot or hand. If a pit forms (after some time the pit disappears), the color of the epidermis at the point of pressure sharply turns pale - this is edema. With an upward movement along the outer part of the limb, you can feel the boundaries of the edema.
- episodic or irregular (spent the whole day on your feet, sat for a long time without getting up, uncomfortable shoes, excess weight, very hot weather, which aggravates the occurrence of swelling). By eliminating or easing adverse effects, we get rid of the problem!
- chronic or regular (pasty occurs constantly, appears both in the morning and in the evening). Here, delay, traditional methods of treatment and self-prescribed medications are categorically inappropriate and even dangerous! Only consultation with a competent specialist will solve the problem and alleviate your condition.
The main causes of chronic edema:
1. Diseases of the cardiovascular system
“Cardiac” edema is asymmetrical and occurs in the evening. The skin is cold, bluish in color, and when pressed, a dimple forms, which slowly smoothes out. Swelling can occur not only in the legs, but throughout the entire body; its occurrence is often attributed to excessive physical activity. If stress is excluded, but swelling continues: don’t be lazy - go to the doctor for a consultation!
2.Diseases of the kidneys and genitourinary system
The swelling is symmetrical and localized in the upper part of the body; without treatment, it can affect the legs and occurs in the morning. The swelling is mobile and moves when pressed. The patient is bothered by lower back pain and bags under the eyes.
3. Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system
When hormonal levels change, swelling affects the face and upper body, and if the disease worsens, it affects the legs.
4.Vascular diseases (impaired venous outflow)
Swelling appears in the evening and worsens with physical activity. The network of venous vessels is clearly visible on the legs, the ankles of the legs swell, but not the fingers, and painful cramps are possible.
5.Irregularities in the functioning of the lymphatic system.
Swelling of the legs, when the lymphatic flow is disrupted, is very dense, painful, and constantly increasing. It is impossible to get rid of them on your own.
6. Edema during pregnancy.
Although pregnancy is not a disease, you should consult a doctor if swollen legs are your permanent condition. It is very important to distinguish between physiological swelling during pregnancy and pathological! This can signal a problem with kidney function, heart problems and a host of other equally serious problems!
With the correct diagnosis and identification of the root cause of swelling, complex treatment (with medications and exercise) gives a positive result and eliminates the problem for a long time.
To alleviate and relieve swelling, special exercises are good - shifting pencils with your toes, rolling a tennis ball, rolling your foot from heel to toe, the “bicycle” exercise - you can repeat them as many times as you like during the day. Simple steps improve blood and lymph flow in the legs and help get rid of swelling. It’s great to lie down for at least 20 minutes with your legs raised up or do a “birch” (we raise the body and limbs high) this way we promote the outflow of fluid from the lower part of the body.
Compression stockings (socks, tights) will be very useful not only for pregnant women, but also for those who walk a lot, stand still or sit for a long time. These wonderful knitted products properly distribute lymph flow and blood circulation in the limbs and prevent swelling.
Massage of the feet and legs will help relieve swelling; it is very good to do it with frozen ice cubes, and complete the procedure with contrasting or regular baths. You can add 2 tbsp sea salt to the water. per liter of water or herbal decoction (mix birch leaves, chamomile inflorescences and mint in equal proportions).
In the drug treatment of chronic edema, strong diuretics (diuretics) are prescribed, with different mechanisms of action and effectiveness (speed, duration or strength of action).
The most popular drugs:
All drugs are potent, have a large list of contraindications, only a doctor can choose the optimal drug!
In the fight against episodic edema, compresses and remedies from the arsenal of traditional medicine will help us.
They have an excellent diuretic effect:
We remind you that even herbs should not be abused, if relief does not occur after several doses, consult a doctor!
The food basket of a sufferer from swelling must necessarily contain:
In the heat, pay attention to your diet: exclude spicy and salty foods, alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks. We drink more clean water, which we drink little and often! We put on comfortable, light shoes without high heels, but not flat ones either, ideally orthopedic ones. Clothes should not be too tight or too tight anywhere - we say “no” to bandage dresses, tight jeans and corsets!
Listen to your body, follow simple recommendations and your legs will delight you with lightness and beauty!
Inflammatory processes in the joints cause a lot of inconvenience due to the vivid symptoms. Swelling in gout, as well as pain and redness from the affected area, can be relieved with medications and folk remedies. If this is not done, the condition will worsen sharply and the patient will not be able to move. But any action to relieve swelling due to gout. the general treatment regimen should be agreed with the doctor.
A disruption of the metabolic process in the body can cause the development of a chronic disease - gout, in which the kidneys cannot cope with the function of excreting uric acid salts in the required volumes. In this regard, the process of crystallization of monosodium urates (MSU) occurs, which accumulate in the cartilage tissue and cause swelling of the joints. Most often the joints of the legs swell, much less often - the back and arms.
Men are at increased risk: according to statistical studies, for every 20 cases of disease among the male population, there is only one case in women.
Risk factors for developing the disease also include:
When taking medications such as ACE inhibitors, antitumor drugs, diuretics, and medications for Parkinson's disease, the concentration of uric acid may increase, which increases the risk of gout inflammation. If your joints begin to swell after taking medications, you should immediately inform your doctor.
At various stages of the disease, the following symptoms may be observed:
sharp, throbbing pain in the joint;
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To calm inflammation of gout and relieve swelling, effectively use “Fulflex” ointment, containing extract of fragrant martinia, which has strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It should be applied with massage movements 2 times a day to the swollen area. To completely get rid of edema, it is recommended to use Fullflex daily for a month. Sold without a prescription.
Vishnevsky ointment will relieve pain and swelling thanks to its active ingredients.
A solution (50%) of "Dimexide", used as a compress, is also an effective remedy against edema. It is necessary to dip a gauze bandage into the solution (1 tablespoon of the drug and 1 tablespoon of warm water), and then apply a compress to the inflamed area on the leg or arm. It should be wrapped on top with plastic film and a warm cloth to create a bath effect. Keep the compress for about half an hour. The procedure must be done regularly for 10 days.
Vishnevsky ointment does not belong to the new generation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, so its effectiveness is somewhat lower than other drugs. However, balsamic liniment, applied in a thin layer to the inflamed area 2 times a day, will remove swelling due to the active ingredients: xeroform and birch tar. The product will help relieve pain.
Medicines can only be prescribed by a qualified specialist, in particular a general practitioner or rheumatologist, after conducting a series of tests.
When treating joints of the arms and legs at home, it is recommended to use iodine in various variations:
Other remedies recommended for home treatment:
Compresses and baths must be done regularly to obtain the expected result. But they will not be so effective if you do not normalize your diet: minimize meat, fish products, and legumes in your diet; completely eliminate alcohol and smoking. Instead, eat fruits daily, especially cherries and blueberries (at least 300 grams), which have anti-inflammatory properties and remove uric acid from the body.
Every third adult has swollen feet. The reasons for this phenomenon can be quite harmless (for example, staying in an upright position for a long time). But sometimes swelling of the limbs is caused by a serious illness, and you should immediately consult a doctor. But in what cases should you call a therapist home, and when will a surgeon, phlebologist or cardiologist help? It depends on the accompanying symptoms of the disease.
Swelling of the legs often occurs due to diseases of the internal organs. The most common causes are varicose veins, arthritis, thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, heart pathologies, diabetes, and hormonal imbalances.
Swelling of the legs is accompanied by: protruding veins, leg cramps, changed pigmentation (blue skin or red spots).
Cause: varicose veins - expansion of the venous walls and stagnation of blood due to increased stress (sitting on the legs for a long time, pregnancy, obesity, wearing the wrong shoes) or a hereditary factor.
For varicose veins, treatment must be carried out by a phlebologist or vascular surgeon.
What to do: contact a phlebologist or vascular surgeon. The first stages are treated with leg compression and venotonics. The final stages of the disease require venectomy (surgical removal of dilated sections of veins).
Swelling of the legs is accompanied by: pain in the leg (especially severe when pressed), redness of the skin. It is difficult for the patient to stand on the sore leg, the limb is hot to the touch.
Reason: a blood clot has formed in the lumen of the veins in the legs, interfering with blood flow, and inflammation occurs. The disease occurs with complicated varicose veins, vascular injury, and increased blood clotting.
What to do: call a therapist at home, who will prescribe medications for a chronic course of the disease, and in case of exacerbation, give a referral to a vascular surgeon. Conservative therapy involves taking antithrombic, disaggregating and venotonic drugs. Surgical removal of clots is performed if there is a risk of pulmonary embolism.
Swelling of the legs is accompanied by: pain in the sternum, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, thirst.
Cause: heart attack, coronary artery disease, heart defects, cardiomyopathy.
What to do: call an ambulance; At the hospital, the patient will undergo an echocardiogram and a biochemical blood test. If heart failure is confirmed, the doctor will select suitable drugs from the groups of beta-blockers, diuretics, glycosides, and anticoagulants.
Swelling and pain in the heart can be the result of a heart attack or coronary artery disease.
Swelling of the legs is accompanied by: difficulty in moving the limb, hematoma, pain when pressing, trying to move the leg or stand on it.
Cause: complete or incomplete destruction of the bone structure, ligaments, and muscles of the leg.
What to do: contact a traumatologist, who, after x-raying the leg, will determine the type of injury, immobilize the limb, or refer you for surgery.
Swelling of the legs is accompanied by: frequent urge to pee, itchy skin, weakness, nausea, blurred vision, ulcers (mainly on the feet).
Cause: diabetes
What to do: donate blood and urine for hyperglycemia, make an appointment with an endocrinologist. Treatment of the disease depends on the type of diabetes. Nutritional adjustments and lifelong insulin therapy are mandatory.
Swelling of the legs does not always indicate a disease of the internal organs. Sometimes the symptom appears due to poor nutrition (lack of protein, excess salt, alcohol abuse).
Leg swelling is often a side effect of treatment with clonidine, minoxidil, hydralazine, reserpine, beta blockers, antidepressants, androgens, estrogen, thiazolidinedione. The cause of swelling is allergies (if an insect bites one leg swells; if you are allergic to food or medicine, swelling can affect both legs).
It is difficult to determine the cause of swelling of the extremities. If the problem does not go away within 24 hours, it is recommended to visit a doctor. When there are other symptoms besides swelling of the legs (pain, fever, nausea), delay is dangerous and you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Swelling of the legs is a common problem, especially in women. And as many believe, it does not seem to be dangerous, but only cosmetic, arising from the consumption of large amounts of liquid.
But doctors have a different opinion.
Taking a large amount of liquid does not always cause swelling of the legs and is not the cause of their development, as is commonly believed.
And taking diuretics in some cases can aggravate the development of edema by disrupting the electrolyte balance in the body.
Meanwhile, almost all patients whose legs swell do not consider it necessary to see a doctor and begin treatment on their own, using a large number of different (often completely inappropriate) medications and so-called folk remedies. At best, there is temporary relief. However, in the vast majority of cases, it only gets worse, since the main cause of swelling of the legs .
It must be remembered that there are many causes of leg swelling If you want to get rid of swelling of the legs , then first you need to understand the reason for their occurrence:
• lymphostasis, lymphedema (elephantiasis)
• disorders of venous outflow associated with diseases of the abdominal cavity and pelvic organs
• space-occupying formations, including malignant diseases, compressing the inferior vena cava
• liver and kidney diseases
• pathology of the heart and lungs.
• joint diseases (arthrosis, polyarthritis, rheumatic diseases)
• hormonal imbalance (especially in women) or regular use of hormonal medications.
• sedentary lifestyle
• diarrhea of any nature
• abuse of laxatives
Therefore, before starting treatment for swelling in the legs, it is necessary to identify the cause of their occurrence. Since the treatment tactics will depend on this.
Based on the above, in order to identify the true cause of the disease and establish an accurate diagnosis, the list of mandatory examinations must include:
• detailed general blood test
• analysis of the blood coagulation system (prothrombin, fibrinogen, INR)
• blood test for hormones)
• Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneal space and pelvis
• R-graphy of the chest organs
The examination should begin with a visit to a phlebologist or angiologist.
Remember the main rule: the appearance of swelling in the legs is a sign of the development of serious problems in the body and is an undoubted reason to consult a doctor.
In any case, waiting for self-healing (maybe it will go away on its own) or self-medicating is unacceptable, since without a full diagnosis you will not be able to determine the cause of the edema, and therefore will not be able to select an adequate treatment tactic that will lead to getting rid of the edema.
Therefore, if you have such a problem as swelling in your legs,
• if your legs swell constantly and very strongly
• if swelling that appears in the evening does not subside by morning
• if other unpleasant symptoms appear simultaneously with swelling (night cramps, skin changes in areas of swelling, trophic ulcers, etc.),
then you should consult a doctor immediately.
Delay in seeing a doctor, for example, in case of acute deep vein thrombosis, can lead to very serious complications, including death. Since the problem is not in edema, but in the underlying disease: the forming blood clots can break off and go into the “big” bloodstream, causing blockage of various vessels, up to the pulmonary artery.
Edema occurs due to excessive accumulation of fluid in the extracellular space of soft tissues. If your hands (usually your hands and fingers) swell, it looks like swelling, which may be accompanied by pain, redness of the skin, and difficulty moving. Swelling of the hands can be one- or two-sided, occurring gradually, suddenly, periodically. Hands can swell for various reasons, and often a number of diagnostic measures are required to find out.
Let's look at the most common causes of hand swelling:
While waiting for the birth of a child, a pregnant woman may experience edema. This is an unpleasant phenomenon that occurs due to changes in water-salt metabolism. Many women complain that their fingers swell during pregnancy. Doctors attach great importance to this symptom, since subsequent stages of edema development lead to serious disorders in the body. Therefore, at the first sign of edema, therapeutic measures are taken.
Stages of development of edema in pregnant women:
If your shoes have become tight, it is impossible to put a ring on your finger, and your face has become puffy, then these are serious symptoms. They may be a sign of a complication - gestosis. Therefore, the appearance of swelling of the hands in the second half of the term will certainly alarm the gynecologist. The woman is prescribed an examination. Treatment depends on the findings. If measures are not taken in time, swelling will spread throughout the body. Sometimes swelling is hidden. To diagnose them, doctors regularly measure blood pressure, use weighing, and monitor urine analysis. Hidden edema also poses a risk for pregnancy. Too much weight gain, which is not related to the amount of food consumed, may indicate edema.
By following the recommendations of specialists, you can prevent the appearance of obvious and hidden edema. If they appear, but are weakly expressed, then outpatient treatment is carried out. A vegetable-dairy diet is beneficial during pregnancy. Doctors also advise limiting the consumption of salt and sweet foods. You should not reduce the amount of plain water in your diet, as this will only worsen the situation. If you reduce the amount of water consumed, the body will delay the removal of fluid. A pregnant woman should drink at least 2 liters of liquid per day, including compotes, cereals and soups. Herbal infusions and teas for swelling can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.
Edema indicates fluid retention in the body. Treatment is mandatory, since the situation negatively affects the health of the woman and the fetus. When edema appears in a pregnant woman, the doctor prescribes a course of special treatment. If a woman’s hands are swollen and painful, then the joints are involved in the process. The situation will require the intervention of a specialist who will find out the cause of the ailment and prescribe treatment. During pregnancy, experts try to use safe natural remedies. For example, some herbs relieve swelling. But they are used only after examination and as prescribed by a doctor. Diuretics are prescribed to pregnant women in severe cases. These include the drugs Fitolysin, Canephron, Cyston, etc.
In some cases, when the hands swell, the nerves located in the carpal tunnel are pinched. This results in numbness, burning and pain in the arm, shoulder and fingers. In this case, you should limit your hand movements. Massage, acupuncture and taking vitamins will help correct the situation. During the treatment of edema, importance is attached to strengthening the vascular system and improving uteroplacental blood flow. For this purpose, Magne B6, lipoic acid, vitamin E, Magnerot and other agents are prescribed.
For successful treatment, it is important to maintain the correct daily routine. Night sleep should last at least 9 hours, and walking in the fresh air should be done daily. Gymnastics for pregnant women also brings great benefits.
It was similar to me too... I couldn’t form my hand into a fist only at night, but in the morning it went away... but when I started to get back on my feet, the doctor told me to drink Canephron... before going to the doctor I didn’t eat salty foods until one point... it became a little easier only after pills... but in general, my doctor said that everything will go away within two weeks after giving birth..
To be honest, if it’s so bad, it’s better to see a doctor! Because you only see arms and legs, and internal swelling is worse /
If the swelling is so severe, then it makes sense to go to the hospital for observation and IV drips. The main thing is that the swelling is not internal.
Yes, not very good. There may be protein in the urine. Is everything normal according to the tests?
If it’s not severe and it’s an isolated incident, then it’s not scary
Take a cool bath with salt. And the knee-elbow pose..)
Practically nothing! You give birth and everything will pass.
Although it doesn't help me at all??
Today my legs are swollen like an elephant, this has never happened before, I also want to give birth for 3 weeks now, I don’t have any strength to walk, but I have to, I thought I would give birth at 38 weeks, like two daughters, but no, it’s sitting and nothing.
Be patient, it will be very soon. But I understand you, I was chubby for most of my pregnancy?
There's a little left. Be patient
One time my legs began to swell. I drank tea with milk, lay down, then went to the toilet a couple of times, and all the water came out!
My arms and legs were swollen! It was just like a bun and I couldn’t sleep very much at night! From the diuretic saw cranberry juice! Brusniver is not for everyone! My doctor said lingonberry leaves can cause premature birth if you overdo it.
Almost everyone swells. Drink brusniver. I have the same thing with my fingers in the morning? I forgot to take off my wedding band and had to cut it off?
You are so pregnant 😉 I felt like this in the morning. I did finger gymnastics 😀
If it’s not very strong at all, then you can wait until Monday. After 35, I also started to roll back a little, the main thing is that the urine and pressure are normal. And so they recommended drinking fruit drinks, lingonberry leaves, canephron, drinking regime, and less salty
I slowly began to swell: I drink rosehip infusion and do the knee-elbow position! That's what the gynecologist said! The main thing is that pressure and protein in the urine do not add up - these are already symptoms of gestosis
I was swollen almost the entire pregnancy. I took Canephron, a herbal drug, and it helped a lot. Now I'm filing a sick note. Everything was prescribed by the doctor. It helps me.
Anything can happen.
Today I also woke up with swollen legs (((It’s not really true, but I feel discomfort (
Now my legs are already swelling, but ONLY swimming helps. I come out of their water without swelling. I’ve eliminated salty foods a long time ago (I don’t add salt to what I cook). I also drink rose hips and lingonberry leaves
if all tests are normal (there is no protein in the urine and the pressure is normal), then there is no reason for serious concern. read the information about where swelling comes from, there are many reasons, and gestosis is far from the main one!
In general, hystosis is dangerous during pregnancy. At 36 weeks I was in hospital because of this, although I did not have severe swelling. you need to monitor how much fluid you drink and how much you excrete per day. In general, fluids are no more than a liter per day. You most likely also have swelling in your legs. easy to check. press the calf with your finger; if there is a small hole and a white spot left, it means swelling. external swelling is the last stage. There is definitely swelling inside.
This happens to me... there is no swelling at all. maybe you ate too much salty food or drank a lot... if it doesn’t happen all the time, then everything is fine
buy lingonberry leaves at the pharmacy
I'll go and make some for myself
Well, swelling is usually accompanied later by pressure. Plus my kidneys can’t cope anymore. and they caesareaned us at 36 weeks... it would still be like, she says it’s not known what would have happened. when the swelling is severe, the baby does not have enough oxygen. Go to the doctor just in case. and now the lingonberries have started to take off... eat the berries. some drink fruit drinks, but again this is a liquid better than berries
of course to go... I was observed with swelling and still almost missed... don't joke with them
I drank cranberry juice, but it didn’t help
I myself have severe swelling, I drink sooooo much, some of the liquid comes out naturally, some later, but some remains in me (
if your kidneys are working well, drink a little rosehip (it helps me) and tell the doctor and try to lift your legs for at least half an hour a day
Brew lingonberries and test urine just in case, so that there is no protein.
Drink kidney tea, and count daytime and nighttime diuresis, and write down
I was in the hospital for 5 days, now everything is fine
Poor thing... I sympathize(((((I also feel like crap, but not swelling - ugh, ugh, ugh... Just terrible dizziness(((((I can’t stand for a long time, I can just fall ((((Weakness is constant, and so many other things) to do around the house - can’t be done (And it’s a long way to go to work((((in the morning I’m just generally barely alive.
Be strong, honey, for some reason there are few men in the world who understand, but believe me, they have worse shortcomings than the shortcomings of our faithful ones))))))))
Try to rest more. Take care of yourself and your daughter.
Only this morning I got rid of them) I myself suffered for 3 days... I could barely pull off my wedding band. Well, I have chronic pyelonephritis, I’ve been waiting for edema for a long time, the goddess advised me to repeat the course of Canephron. So yesterday I was on cereal all day, nothing salty or sweet, I limited my fluid intake, I also poured a glass of kidney tea (some of them are not allowed for pregnant women, but some are allowed, so I advise them only after consulting a gynecologist) + I’ve been taking Canephron for the third day. Today I ran to the toilet all night, and in the morning I see there is no swelling
It happened at the end of B., I even had to take off my wedding band, it wasn’t comfortable. but there was no swelling on the legs. I haven’t been to the gynecologist since 33 weeks, I went to another city, so she didn’t scare me with any diagnoses