Edema is an excessive accumulation of fluid in a certain part of the body and retention of its excess. This phenomenon is familiar to almost every pregnant woman; most often the problem occurs in the later stages. The danger to the health of the expectant mother and baby depends on the intensity of the edema; the problem should be solved with the help of a doctor, because, first of all, it is necessary to understand the cause of the edema and only then begin to treat it.
As a rule, edema during pregnancy occurs from the fourth month; if the process began earlier, you should inform your doctor about it. This phenomenon may indicate a hidden pathology; it is possible that it will be revealed at a later date and endanger the life of the baby and the health of the pregnant woman.
Most representatives of the fair sex suffer from edema during the period of bearing a child, but one cannot look for the cause of this phenomenon in pregnancy; as a rule, we are talking about improper functioning of the kidneys, cardiovascular system, excess water in the body, and excessive physical exertion. Often, swelling is caused by the fact that the constantly enlarging uterus compresses the blood vessels, and the blood feels significant obstructions when moving.
In the late stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother's legs and arms swell, but there are cases when the swelling spreads throughout the body and the woman begins to quickly gain weight, this phenomenon is called “dropsy.” When you have dropsy, it is difficult to clench your hand into a fist or bend your leg. If left untreated, dropsy can develop into the most dangerous form of edema - gestosis.
Preeclampsia is a late toxicosis in which severe swelling, high blood pressure, and high protein content in the urine are observed; all these factors significantly increase the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Histosis is treatable, but it should be done in a hospital under the supervision of a specialist.
In the later stages of pregnancy, the expectant mother may experience swelling in her hands, most often this is noticeable by the way her fingers bend, and difficulties arise when wearing a ring.
It cannot be said that in case of such a phenomenon as swelling of the hands, one should rush to the doctor for help in a panic; in the third trimester they occur quite often. However, if swelling is combined with high blood pressure, rapid weight gain, or creates significant discomfort, you should definitely consult a specialist about this. In the normal course of pregnancy, the probable cause of swelling of the hands is the abuse of salty or fatty foods and the pressure of the uterus on the vessels and ureters.
Swelling of the legs in pregnant women is a very common phenomenon; the problem is that the body of the expectant mother accumulates sodium, which contributes to fluid retention in the body, as a result of which swelling appears.
Many women complain that swelling appears in the daytime and in the evening, this is easily explained: prolonged exposure to a horizontal position (during night rest) allows fluid to be distributed throughout the body, so after sleep the swelling is almost unnoticeable. After walking or standing for a long time, moisture rushes into the lower extremities, resulting in noticeable swelling in the ankles, shins and back of the feet. In some cases, swelling of the legs may be accompanied by high blood pressure, then it makes sense to consult a doctor so as not to provoke a severe form of gestosis.
There is an opinion that you can get rid of edema by reducing the amount of fluid consumed, but in the case of pregnancy this method is unlikely to be justified. Refusal of fluid will cause the body to begin to accumulate water and swelling may become stronger. For the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, it is recommended to drink no more than one and a half liters of liquid per day, not counting vegetables, soups, tea, etc. In the third trimester, the dosage should be reduced by 2 times - to 750 milliliters per day.
If you want to get rid of edema, you should not eat salty and fatty foods; the same recommendations exist for smoked foods, spicy foods, carbonated drinks and coffee. It’s great if once a week a pregnant woman spends a fasting day on juice and apples; if this process turns out to be too difficult, you can add other fruits to the diet.
The expectant mother is recommended to rest at least 10 hours a day (at night), excluding daytime rest (1.5-2 hours). Before going to bed, you need to place a cushion under your feet; it’s great if they rise above the body.
If your legs are very tired, you can take warm baths and foot massage. Don't forget about systematic walks in the fresh air. Sometimes doctors recommend herbal teas that have a diuretic effect and vitamins that strengthen the walls of blood vessels to improve blood circulation. Among the folk remedies, swelling is relieved by an infusion of dried apricots (pour boiling water overnight, drink in the morning half an hour before meals).
Whatever remedy is chosen as a medicine for edema, its use should be discussed with your doctor, since pregnancy is too important a period to risk your health.
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Most often, edema in pregnant women appears in the second half of pregnancy, this is due to the pressure of the uterus on the pelvic veins. And if there is excess water, it accumulates into swelling. When a pregnant woman's legs swell, she notices it herself, it is more difficult to put on her usual shoes and her legs seem thicker. Swelling of the hands in pregnant women is also a common occurrence. If it becomes impossible to remove the ring from your finger, you are dealing with them.
Edema in pregnant women comes in four stages:
To a certain extent, swelling in pregnant women, the causes of which we have found out, is normal. But they can also be a sign of pregnancy complications. If, in addition to edema, protein is found in the urine, and increased blood pressure is also observed, this indicates gestosis. The occurrence of this complication requires constant monitoring by a doctor, since the fourth degree of gestosis can cause “aging” of the placenta and suffocation of the baby.
Everyone is interested in the question: how can a pregnant woman get rid of edema ? First you need to find out if there is swelling.
Press your finger on the skin, if a trace of pressure remains, this is swelling, but if the skin quickly returns to normal, everything is fine. A pregnant woman is thirsty more often, and this is normal in her position, since the body’s needs for fluid have increased. Therefore, swelling of the legs in pregnant women in the evening is a completely natural phenomenon. Such swelling goes away in the morning, when the expectant mother is well rested.
But if the fingers begin to swell, and swelling on the legs is observed around the clock, and a “puffy” appearance of the face appears, you need to ask the question: how to remove swelling in pregnant women, since the development of gestosis is possible.
With the problem of edema, a pregnant woman should immediately contact the doctor who is observing her. Since edema, especially if it appears in the early stages of pregnancy, may indicate the presence of some hidden disease.
It happens that pregnancy helps to “expose” this disease due to the appearance of additional stress on the suffering organ. This situation will require a thorough examination, especially of organs such as the heart and kidneys. In addition, the problem may be associated with the presence of varicose veins. In any case, you should not remain silent about swelling; you need to inform the doctor, who will decide how to relieve swelling in a pregnant woman .
And remember, your health directly affects the health of your baby, so carefully follow the recommendations of your doctor, follow the measures he suggests to prevent edema, eat right, walk more and get positive emotions!
Almost all expectant mothers know that pregnancy is often accompanied by edema. Everyone also knows that outside of pregnancy, edema is a symptom of some disease, most often of cardiovascular or renal origin. But what does it mean if pregnant women have them? Is this a normal option or a pathology that requires treatment?
How do you know if you have swelling? Answer a few questions.
Of course, obvious swelling will be noticed not only by the doctor, but also by you. But there are also hidden edema, or tissue pastiness (the so-called fluid retention in the body), which are not noticeable. They can only be suspected if the expectant mother experiences a large or uneven weight gain.
Most often, edema in healthy pregnant women who do not have cardiovascular or renal pathology appears in the second half of pregnancy.
Usually the legs swell first, then swelling of the arms, abdomen, and face may occur. The latter is especially upsetting for expectant mothers. After all, the eyelids swell the most on the face. This is due to the anatomical features of this area. There is loose fiber located there, which, like a sponge, is ready to retain liquid.
In the morning, swelling in the legs is less noticeable, because at night the fluid spreads evenly throughout the body. But during the day, when you spend more time on your feet, the fluid goes down, accumulating mainly in the ankles, on the back of the feet, on the shins, where the pressure of a finger can cause a slowly leveling hole. Skin with edema is pale, tense and smooth.
In addition to a doctor's examination, what methods are used for diagnosis?
Dynamic weighing
Possible hidden edema is indicated by excessive (more than 300 g per week) or uneven weight gain of the expectant mother.
Compare the amount of fluid drunk and urine excreted (per day). Normally, a healthy person excretes ¾ of the fluid he drinks. Let's say if you drank 1000-1200 ml of liquid per day (including soups and tea-coffee), at least 750-900 ml should be excreted in the urine. The remaining quarter of the fluid is released in the form of sweat and also during breathing.
Dynamic measurement of leg circumference at one level
An increase in the circumference of the ankle joint by 1 cm or more within a week indicates fluid retention in the body.
0.2 ml of saline solution is injected intradermally into the area of the inner surface of the forearm with a thin needle. A blister forms, which normally resolves within one hour in a healthy person. The more “edematous readiness” the body has, the faster the blister is absorbed.
Foreign doctors tend to consider edema in pregnancy a physiological phenomenon that does not require treatment. True, with the caveat that edema will not be accompanied by protein in the urine and high blood pressure.
In the treatment of dropsy in pregnancy, priority is given to a diet with limited salt and liquid drunk per day.
The period of pregnancy is one of the most exciting and responsible in the life of every woman. Responsible expectant mothers try to eat right, lead a healthy lifestyle and follow all doctor’s recommendations. But there are complications that are very difficult to insure against. One of them is swelling of the lower extremities. About 80% of women face this problem, and not everyone experiences it as a dangerous symptom. Therefore, it will be useful for expectant mothers to know why pregnant women’s legs swell and how to deal with it.
Most expectant mothers experience physiological edema, which is considered normal during pregnancy and does not cause significant harm. They are usually caused by increased fluid intake, as pregnant women often suffer from thirst due to increased weight and changes in hormone levels. But swelling is not always so harmless.
There are many different causes of leg swelling in pregnant women:
It is very important for the expectant mother to regularly examine herself for the appearance of edema. If there is anything alarming about the condition of your legs, it is better to consult a doctor. It is important to pay attention to the degree of edema:
I degree - swelling of the legs and feet. Usually they are physiological and do not require special treatment.
II degree – the feet and legs, as well as the pubic area and abdomen swell. Such swelling requires observation.
III degree swelling of the lower limbs, arms and face. In such a situation, you should immediately consult a doctor.
When the swelling is so great that it becomes noticeable to others, it is, of course, very unpleasant, but this is not the worst thing. Much more dangerous are hidden edema, which a woman may not notice and ignore for a long time. If you notice that your favorite shoes are too small or the strap of your sandals has to be loosened, it may be swelling.
Excessive weight gain can also be explained by edema. If you are eating normally and your weight is increasing very quickly, bring this to the attention of your doctor.
Normally, swelling appears in the late afternoon, and in the morning it is almost invisible. This is due to the fact that during sleep, fluid is evenly distributed throughout the body, and during the day, when a woman walks a lot, it accumulates in the lower part of the body, especially in the limbs. If you notice a slight increase in the leg or ankle in the evening, but feel normal, there is no need to worry; such swelling should go away on its own before the morning.
If the situation has not changed in the morning, try clicking on a suspicious place. When there is swelling on the body after pressing, a hole appears, and the skin is too slow to even out and return to its previous shape. At the same time, the surface of the skin looks pale and tense. The appearance of such swelling is not a reason to panic, but a consultation with a doctor will still be required.
There are several real reasons for concern and immediate contact with a medical institution:
If a woman notices swelling in herself, she should definitely tell the doctor about it. He orders additional tests:
One of the main signs of preeclampsia is the sudden appearance of excessive swelling. They may also be accompanied by:
With preeclampsia, placental blood flow is disrupted, so not only the mother, but also the baby suffers. Therefore, if swelling suddenly appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Risk factors for developing preeclampsia:
More recently, when edema appeared, doctors immediately recommended limiting fluid and salt intake or even prescribing diuretics. But serious clinical studies have proven that approximately 80% of women experience edema during pregnancy. However, most of them are healthy and give birth without complications. The fear of edema was due to the fact that they are one of the symptoms of gestosis or late toxicosis, as preeclampsia was previously called. Controlling edema was thought to help prevent eclampsia.
Almost all modern schools of obstetrics have recognized that swelling of the legs is not the only and not the main sign of preeclampsia and eliminating them with diuretics does not prevent the development of this complication.
If swelling of the legs is not accompanied by hypertension and the appearance of protein in the urine, it is considered physiological and is not treated. The use of diuretics during pregnancy is not justified, as they have too many side effects. It is much more important to monitor blood pressure and urine tests.
First of all, you need to try to optimize your lifestyle. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, you need to ensure that you get regular and proper rest. To do this, you need to periodically sit or lie down, keeping your legs elevated. If you have to sit a lot, for example at work, try to take breaks every 45-90 minutes and walk for 15-20 minutes. While sitting, you should try to keep your legs straight.
Any restrictions on fluid intake during pregnancy are not recommended, especially in hot weather.
A woman needs to eat properly and variedly. It is not advisable to limit salt intake if its volume does not exceed the recommended standards. The use of diuretics is strictly prohibited, except in particularly difficult situations when treatment is carried out in a hospital. “Harmless” herbal teas are especially dangerous in this regard. The effects of most medicinal herbs on pregnant women have been studied very poorly, or not at all, so their use is too risky.
Many doctors recommend wearing special elastic stockings or bandages to prevent varicose veins and edema; most expectant mothers confirm their effectiveness. The only drawback of such clothes is that they are hot and uncomfortable in summer. In addition, experts advise taking warm (but by no means hot) baths. It also helps remove excess fluid from the body and eliminate swelling.
Not too intense regular exercise will not only improve the health of the expectant mother and help avoid excess weight gain, but will also reduce swelling in the legs. The simplest and most accessible exercise is leisurely daily walks. You can give yourself an hour before bed or in the morning to take a walk and get some fresh air. In addition, they help prevent swelling:
Such exercises help not only reduce swelling, but also prevent cramps. They also increase vitality and lift your mood.
Of course, a healthy diet will not completely prevent swollen feet, but it will be a good addition to other methods. The main principles of healthy eating:
Swelling of the legs causes great discomfort, and expectant mothers are trying to find effective ways to eliminate this problem. One of the easiest solutions is to use a special anti-edema cream. Modern cosmetologists and pharmacists offer a huge number of good products. Of course, you shouldn’t expect a miracle from them - you won’t be able to completely eliminate severe swelling with cream alone, but they can reduce the discomfort.
There are several types of foot swelling remedies that can be used by pregnant women:
Depending on the purpose of the products, their composition may vary greatly, but there are components that are included in most creams and have proven themselves well among consumers:
Choosing an anti-edema cream during pregnancy on your own is not the best solution. It would be better to consult your doctor. If this is not possible, you should give preference to a product developed specifically for expectant mothers, which has passed dermatological control and contains a maximum of natural ingredients.
In fact, there are not so many really good creams for pregnant women. Information about them is easy to find on the Internet. Expectant mothers often share their experience of using such products on thematic forums. The most popular are:
It is designed specifically to eliminate swelling in the legs of expectant mothers and prevent their occurrence. This cream contains an innovative omega complex designed to care for the skin of pregnant women. Mama Care is suitable for sensitive skin, does not cause allergies and does not contain preservatives or dyes. This cream eliminates swelling well, improves skin tone and improves its condition. It is suitable for relieving fatigue and for preventing varicose veins. The cream improves vascular tone and removes excess fluid and toxins. Immediately after application, the product is quickly absorbed, and the skin becomes smooth and velvety. The cost of such a cream is about 250 rubles.
This remedy helps eliminate swelling and has an anti-varicose effect. It carefully and effectively cares for the skin of expectant mothers and makes it smooth and elastic. The special formula of the cream helps strengthen blood vessels, which prevents the appearance of characteristic nets and stars on the legs. At the same time, Mama Comfort cream has a cooling effect, eliminates pain and tension in the legs. Its highlight is the extract of leeches in its composition. It improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, which makes it possible to eliminate swelling even more effectively. The cost of this product is about 350 rubles.
This product contains exclusively natural ingredients. Natural vegetable oils effectively nourish the skin and do not interfere with its breathing. Natural ingredients are suitable for pregnant women, they help improve lymph flow, have a refreshing effect and relieve fatigue. They also fight edema quite effectively. The cost of the cream is about 340 rubles.
This product has a pronounced refreshing and cooling effect. It helps relieve pain and fatigue, reduces swelling. It can be applied as many times during the day as you like. This should be done with massage movements from bottom to top. This will enhance the effect and help get rid of swelling faster. If you use it regularly from the very beginning of pregnancy, the likelihood of swelling will be significantly reduced. The cost of such a product is about 2000 rubles.
The most popular products today are Mama Comfort and Sanosan. They are one of the best in terms of price and quality. The use of such remedies, of course, will not completely solve the problem of edema, but in most cases it significantly alleviates the condition of the expectant mother and makes pregnancy simpler and more enjoyable.
Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is inevitable. They are directly related to a woman’s weight gain, as well as to impaired fluid metabolism in the body.
There is an explanation for the fact that leg swelling is common during pregnancy. But first, you need to understand - does the woman really have swelling or has she just gained a little weight? Usually, a few signs are enough - if your favorite shoes start to feel too tight, and the weight gains more than 300 grams in a week, then we are talking about edema. If a pregnant woman does not have any kidney or heart diseases, then swelling of the legs during pregnancy will appear only in the second half of pregnancy. Following the legs, the arms, stomach and face usually swell. Usually in the morning the picture may be better, and in the evening the liquid begins to accumulate on the legs again.
You need to understand that swelling of the legs during pregnancy is not necessarily a pathology. The fact is that the body of a pregnant woman accumulates sodium, which, in turn, attracts water and fluid retention occurs, causing swelling. A pregnant woman's consumption of salty and fried foods and heat can aggravate this process and increase swelling of the legs during pregnancy, but, in fact, such swelling is natural and does not pose a particular danger to the health of the pregnant woman. In this case, it is enough for a woman to lie on her side, rest, drink diuretic teas and reduce salt intake in food. Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is considered a complication when a woman begins to gain more weight than she should, the swelling becomes massive, spreads to the arms, face and lower back, and does not go away with rest. This condition is called "preeclampsia" and requires close monitoring and possibly hospitalization. In severe forms of gestosis, swelling of the legs during pregnancy can be accompanied by high blood pressure, the release of protein in the urine and cause harm to the fetus and the expectant mother.
A special diet for pregnant women often helps prevent swelling. However, if a woman has problems with her kidneys or heart that cause swelling of her legs during pregnancy, then she should deal with them under the supervision of a doctor. In the natural form of edema development, first of all, you should pay attention to the consumption of liquids - usually 1.5-2 liters per day is enough, which includes drinks, soups, and fruits. If, when consuming such a volume, there is no strong and disturbing swelling, then this indicates that the consumption and excretion of water in the woman’s body is balanced. Otherwise, you should reduce your consumption to 1 liter - but in no case less. First of all, you should give up coffee and tea. But reducing water alone is not enough; you also need to reduce the consumption of sodium, which retains water in the body - and sodium is contained in such an essential element of any table as ordinary table salt. A pregnant woman should avoid salted and fermented foods, and, if possible, try to add less salt than usual to the dishes she prepares for herself. Diuretic herbs and drugs are used as auxiliary agents - for example, tea from birch buds, but they must be used carefully, since sodium is also washed out along with the water in the body, which together can contribute to an increase in blood pressure. Especially taking diuretics is contraindicated in case of gestosis. Facilitates the development of leg swelling during pregnancy by sleeping with a cushion under your feet, “steaming” your feet with birch leaves, comfortable shoes and rest. All these measures are relevant only if the swelling is not caused by problems with the kidneys or heart. Otherwise, swelling of the legs during pregnancy requires immediate consultation with a doctor and constant monitoring.
Swelling of the legs during pregnancy is, alas, a natural phenomenon for most pregnant women, but, fortunately, it does not indicate any pathology and is not capable of harming the fetus unless it reaches a severe stage. Therefore, it is necessary and important to pay attention to them and, of course, report swelling to the pregnant woman’s attending physician in order to prevent possible consequences.
Legs swell for various reasons: from injuries and injuries, sprains and fractures. The trouble is familiar to many people, especially after reaching the age of thirty-five. Swelling is not the main thing. What is more important is the cause. It is necessary to eliminate the source, then the symptom will disappear on its own. Edema of the legs represents symptoms of the disease, manifested by the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues of the lower extremities. If the disturbances are persistent, you should consult a doctor.
Expectant mothers experience swelling in their legs in the last month of pregnancy. Sometimes swelling spreads throughout the body, causing excess weight gain. The phenomenon is inevitable; doctors associate the process with impaired fluid exchange due to increased thirst.
Don’t worry too much: this type of edema is not dangerous for the woman and the future baby. The woman is recommended to rest with her legs up, the swelling goes away.
Small blood vessels allow fluid to leak out, moisture accumulates in the tissues, and swelling occurs.
Edema is divided according to the reasons for its formation:
Edema is the accumulation of fluid in body tissues. In the legs, the phenomenon becomes a manifestation of varicose veins, which develops gradually due to insufficient elasticity of the walls of blood vessels in the legs.
Due to the slow drainage of fluid, moisture accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling. The extremities, mainly the legs, are most often affected. The legs bear most of the load. Causes of edema:
Edema is influenced by various circumstances: diseases, state of organs. Swollen legs are a common and common occurrence. Pregnant women often suffer from a similar scourge. The legs suffer temporarily, until the baby is born. We are not talking about diseases, only about the heavy load on the lower limbs. Swelling is influenced by the pregnant woman's increased thirst, impaired metabolism, excess weight, and tight shoes.
While expecting a baby, you need to carefully select casual shoes. A heel that is too long is harmful, as is a completely flat one. The “golden” mean in the form of medium-height heels on the feet is good here. When purchasing, choose shoes that are spacious and have a comfortable toe position.
If varicose veins are diagnosed, swelling develops gradually, initially unnoticed; disturbances appear in the evening and disappear by morning. Then they become constant companions. This happens due to impaired blood flow and increased pressure in the veins.
Kidney diseases cause severe swelling of both lower extremities without additional consequences: fever, itching or pain, noticeable in the eyelid area. Characterized by a decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
Intestinal diseases produce edema similar to kidney edema, with diarrhea becoming a distinctive feature. Elephantiasis makes the legs thick due to lymph stagnation.
During pregnancy, edema accompanies a woman due to a sharp change in hormonal levels. You should immediately report swelling of the lower extremities to a physician to identify the cause of the occurrence. Additional laboratory and diagnostic tests may be required.
During pregnancy, the female sex experiences changes due to a sharp increase in the hormone progesterone, which ensures the contractility of the uterus. This hormone prevents fluid from draining, leading to swelling of the legs. The legs swell especially severely during the 9th month of pregnancy.
The woman's water-salt metabolism is altered, leading to disturbances in the movement of lymph through the vessels of the legs.
Swelling begins after the completion of the first trimester of pregnancy. There is a loss of skin elasticity, the face becomes rounded. The last month of the condition is characterized by swelling of the legs, not the upper limbs or face.
It’s easy to check for edema: press on the skin of your leg, and a permanent dimple appears. During pregnancy, weight gain occurs gradually. If the set is sharp, swelling is likely. Doctors monitor their patients' weight extremely closely.
There are two types of swelling in the legs during pregnancy:
It is possible to treat swelling at home by visiting a doctor. If the situation becomes serious, the woman undergoes treatment in a hospital. In the absence of positive dynamics, premature birth is likely to occur.
Abroad, edema is not treated until the disorder threatens the gestational stage. In Russia, they immediately try to get rid of edema, preventing the occurrence of this stage. Preeclampsia usually appears in the last month of pregnancy, possibly earlier.
Previously, to prevent edema in pregnant women, an effective remedy meant limiting fluid intake. But studies have shown that when trying to limit fluid, the body tries to fight by retaining it. There is a direct path to edema. You should drink at least two liters of liquid per day, it is better to drink freshly squeezed juice.
It is worth limiting thirst-inducing dishes and foods, types of sweet, pickled, spicy and fried foods. Remember, carbonated drinks do not quench thirst, but cause it. Legs swell more.
You need to be careful with salt or temporarily exclude the seasoning. The amount of fruits and vegetables should be increased. Apples, oranges or cucumbers can quench your thirst.
When feeding a pregnant woman, it is better to switch to steamed or boiled food. It is possible to consume herbal teas that have diuretic properties. Do not abuse it, only in the presence of noticeable swelling and for a short time.
An active lifestyle helps and stimulates getting rid of edema. If you move little by little, but every hour, you will avoid increasing the amount of fluid in the tissues.
It is helpful to lie down with your legs elevated or wear high-waisted tights before getting out of bed in the morning. Actions do not allow blood to stagnate in the lower extremities.
You need to spend less time in hot and stuffy places. In the evenings, take cold water baths for 20 minutes. A foot massage afterwards will relieve swelling that has already occurred and prevent further occurrence.
Foods that prevent the appearance of edema include: hot milk, boiled dried apricots, tea with lemon without sugar and lingonberry compote. But the liquid should not be consumed after seven o'clock in the evening.
You should not wear high-heeled shoes for a long time. During the day, it is better to change to a flatter sole, give your feet more rest and more often. Periodically during the day it is recommended to wear therapeutic tights or hosiery for a number of months.
Swelling can be relieved well by physical exercise. Medicines and ointments have been developed. Can be used in any month. Before use, please consult your doctor. The drugs will relieve swelling, but will not eliminate the cause.
It is more important to adjust the pregnant woman’s diet in the last month, review her shoes, and lifestyle.
Depending on the cause, the following types of edema are distinguished: hydrostatic - develops due to the fact that the outflow of blood from organs is difficult due to the weakness of the heart muscle, the presence of various obstacles to blood flow; hypoproteinemic, in which, due to the fact that the amount of protein in the blood is reduced, fluid enters the tissues in the direction of increasing osmotic pressure; membranogenic, in which there is a violation of the integrity of the wall of blood vessels, as a result of which fluid freely leaves them; neurogenic - as a result of the fact that the nervous system inadequately controls vascular function; inflammatory process - swelling is always an integral part of inflammation of an infectious or allergic nature.
Below you will find information about the causes of swelling of the legs and methods of treating this small, but still a nuisance. So, let's first define what edema is?
The appearance of swelling in the legs is a good reason to see a doctor. It is better not to engage in home treatment and self-diagnosis
Edema ( lat. oedema) is excessive accumulation of fluid in the organs of the body, extracellular tissue spaces of the body. Below we will look at the most common causes and types of leg swelling. Swelling of the legs is usually the initial manifestation of varicose veins. Swelling of the legs with varicose veins has one feature - it develops gradually. The main cause of varicose veins is insufficient elasticity of the walls of blood vessels. Edema is associated with fluid retention.
— Hydraemic edema is associated with the accumulation of excess fluid in kidney diseases;
— Cachectic edema appears as a result of cardiovascular diseases or when the body is exhausted;
— Congestive edema is formed due to vascular permeability, pressure in the capillaries, and a decrease in protein albumin in the blood;
— Mechanical edema is the result of injuries and can appear during pregnancy and tumors;
— Neuropathic edema appears in diseases such as alcoholism and diabetes mellitus;
- Allergic edema (Quincke's edema) - is a deep swelling of the skin. Quincke's edema develops very quickly and also quickly resolves after proper treatment.
Most often, edema appears in the extremities, abdominal or pleural cavity, and subcutaneous fat.
The cause of edema can be various factors: edema is caused by chronic or temporary diseases, a certain condition of the body. Leg swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues of the legs is known as peripheral edema. With the modern pace of life, swelling of the legs is becoming more and more common and commonplace. Almost all women also experience swelling in their legs during pregnancy. Edema during pregnancy is usually temporary and goes away very quickly. They can have various reasons.
The most common causes of leg swelling are:
- Heavy load on the legs.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially before bed.
- Metabolic disease.
— The habit of sitting with crossed legs.
- Sitting for long periods on low or too soft seats.
— Incorrectly chosen shoes. You should not wear shoes with either very high heels or very flat soles. It is better to wear shoes with low heels. Shoes should be spacious, not constrict your feet, and your toes should be in a natural position.
- Phlebeurysm. Swelling in the legs due to varicose veins occurs gradually, at first unnoticeably. Increased swelling in the legs is associated with a person being in an upright position and is observed in the evening. After sleep, swelling in the legs disappears and may reappear only in the afternoon. As other signs of the disease progress, swelling in the legs becomes more noticeable. As a rule, swelling in the legs is combined with trophic disorders. More often, swelling in the legs is not located symmetrically and, as a rule, only on one leg.
Swelling in the legs occurs as a result of the blood flow being disrupted and the hydrostatic pressure in the veins significantly increasing. Prolonged stagnation of blood causes an increase in pressure, first in large veins, and then in the smallest vessels.
In capillaries, hydrostatic pressure is usually higher than in the intercellular spaces, and therefore tends to squeeze fluid out of the vessels into the tissue - swelling occurs.
— Impaired cardiovascular activity.
- Kidney disease. Severe swelling of the legs can occur with kidney disease. This swelling usually spreads over both lower extremities and affects mainly the back of the leg, without itching, pain or local fever. It is accompanied by some swelling of the eyelids, the appearance of dark circles under the eyes, often a change in the color of urine and a decrease in its quantity.
- For intestinal diseases. Externally, such edema is similar to “renal” edema, but is accompanied not by impaired urination, but by prolonged diarrhea
Legs also become severely swollen after a person has had an acute respiratory infection. This symptom is a consequence of kidney disease, which arose as a complication from an infection.
- "Elephant" disease. With this disease, lymph flow in the skin and subcutaneous tissue is disrupted, which leads to disruption of protein and water metabolism in tissues and stagnation of lymph. Because of this, severe swelling occurs, most often in the legs, and the legs become like those of an elephant.
— Problems with the thyroid gland can also manifest themselves as elastic swellings that do not leave pits when pressed, located in the lower parts of the legs. This disease also causes swelling of the tongue and shoulders, lethargy, drowsiness, chilliness, and a tendency to constipation.
— Swelling in the legs can also occur with acute thrombophlebitis of both deep and superficial veins. But in this case, they are always accompanied by clinical signs of inflammation - redness, heat, pain along the vein. Swelling due to impaired outflow of lymphatic fluid through the lymphatic vessels is much less common. As a rule, swelling signals the presence of some disease, and therefore, if they appear, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Swelling during pregnancy is a very common occurrence. After all, during pregnancy, a woman’s hormonal levels change dramatically. If swelling of the legs occurs during pregnancy, you should inform your doctor about it. The causes of edema during pregnancy are quite difficult to immediately identify, so the gynecologist requires additional examination (ultrasound of the kidneys, blood tests).
Other causes of leg swelling include blood clots, leg infections (existing or past), chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, and burns. Also, swelling of the legs can be both a cause and a consequence of other diseases. Legs swell due to various diseases: edema of various origins, gout, and so on.
— While standing or sitting for several minutes a day, alternately press your heel to the floor and lift your toe, and vice versa (press your toe and lift your heel).
- Walk on your toes for a couple of minutes.
- Spread and curl your toes.
- With bare feet, try to pick up a pencil or small ball from the floor.
- Make rotational movements with your feet (from left to right and from right to left).
- Place your right foot on top of your left. Raise your toe as high as possible, then do the same exercise with your right leg.
- Stand on your toes and stand for a few seconds. Then do 5-10 jumping jacks.
- Bend your toes down and sharply straighten them up.
Medicines for swelling of the legs
Important! Before using the medications listed below, consult your doctor to accurately determine the causes of swelling and prescribe appropriate medications. However, in the vast majority of cases it only gets worse, since the main cause of swelling of the legs is not identified and eliminated
— “Essaven gel” helps strengthen the walls of capillaries and veins, also helps blood circulation and eliminates microthrombi;
— Heparin ointment, which improves blood circulation, dissolves microscopic blood clots, and has an anti-inflammatory effect;
— “Venitan”, which contains horse chestnut extract, strengthens the walls of capillaries and veins;
— “Troxevasit has an analgesic and cooling effect, at the same time strengthening the walls of capillaries and veins.
— Ointments made on the basis of horse chestnut are good against edema.
The above ointments contain rutin and heparin, which strengthen the capillary system.
In addition, there are a large number of traditional medicine recipes that help cope with swelling of the legs.
- 1 part turpentine to 2 parts castor oil. Heat the oil, pour turpentine into it and rub your feet. After the massage, put cotton socks on your feet.
- Mix 1 egg yolk with a teaspoon of turpentine and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Rub your feet vigorously with the resulting mixture.
— Astragalus (plant). A decoction of it reduces swelling and has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. To prepare a decoction, steam 10 g of astragalus with a glass of boiling water, cool slowly and strain. The decoction should be taken 2-3 tablespoons 2-3 times a day for 2 weeks. After a three-day break, repeat the course of treatment. The general course of treatment lasts 4-6 months.
— For tired and swollen legs, it is very good to massage with pieces of ice. It is better if the ice is made not from ordinary water, but from an infusion of medicinal herbs and plants. For example, from sage, montane arnica flowers, navel tincture, yarrow, peppermint, eucalyptus.
- Bath. You can add sea salt to the bath water; it helps with swelling and will relax your legs. Immerse your feet in cold water, then use light pinches to massage the swollen areas from bottom to top.
— Contrast baths. Excellent help with tired legs, heaviness and swelling in the feet. You should keep your feet alternately in hot (5 minutes) and cold water (10 seconds), with the addition of herbs and salt.
— In addition to foot baths, massage is useful. After an evening shower, dry your legs and begin to stretch them first from the feet; self-massage begins from the big toe along the shin, then from the knee to the thigh. It is useful to press on the following points: on the nail plate, on the base of the finger.
— You can stretch your feet by rolling a small rubber ball on the floor.
— After 7 pm, try to drink less liquid. To remove excess fluid from the body, use herbal decoctions.
— Decoctions of elderberry bark and berries are effective for swelling of the legs and kidneys.
— If you have varicose veins on your legs, then apply steamed elderberry leaves to them.
— Dissolve a packet of rock salt in a bucket of cold water, then take a shaggy towel, thoroughly moisten it with this water, then wring it out and apply it to the lower back. Repeat the procedure ten times. As a result, urine production begins and swelling disappears.
— Drink diuretics made from birch buds and horsetail extract. Recipe: take horsetail, knotweed, birch buds - 2-3 tablespoons of each ingredient. 1 teaspoon of the mixture per 1 glass of boiling water, then 15 minutes in a water bath, leave for 30 minutes and strain. 1 tablespoon 3 times a day after meals. Drink for 3 days, break for 1 day. Course 3 weeks. The decoction should be stored in a cool place.
Important! Hot baths are contraindicated for varicose veins!
Swelling during pregnancy is a very common occurrence. After all, during pregnancy, a woman’s hormonal levels change dramatically. The amount of the hormone progesterone increases almost tenfold, which is responsible for restraining the contractility of the uterus so that a miscarriage does not occur. But progesterone also promotes fluid retention in tissues and the formation of edema. During pregnancy, water-salt metabolism changes in a woman's body, which can lead to disturbances in the outflow of lymph and blood through the veins of the legs, and to changes in the blood and vascular wall. Let's figure out what types of edema are and what prevention can be done to avoid them or improve your condition.
Water is not retained in the body immediately. In the first trimester of pregnancy, swelling rarely occurs. Already closer to the second trimester, a pregnant woman may notice that the skin of her legs and arms loses its firmness and elasticity and becomes “loose.” Later, the roundness of the face increases. In the last trimester of pregnancy, swelling of the legs and, less often, the arms, face, and abdomen often appear.
You can check whether there is swelling by pressing your finger on the skin of the lower leg in front (an area where there are no muscles). If pressing leaves a dimple that does not immediately go away, then there is swelling.
During pregnancy, a woman’s body weight increases gradually; a sharp increase may indicate the appearance of edema. Therefore, the antenatal clinic monitors the weight of the pregnant woman.
Physiological edema during pregnancy. Some women, even during menstruation, experience slight swelling of the legs, heaviness and fatigue. Most likely, during pregnancy these symptoms will be frequent companions.
Physiological edema is the tendency of a pregnant woman’s body to retain sodium and water in the body, this is especially provoked by the abuse of salty foods, physical overload and can appear in the heat. Also, an increase in body weight, and therefore the load on the legs, leads to swelling of the legs. Such swelling is natural, they do not pose a health hazard, and as your figure recovers after childbirth, your legs will regain their former lightness.
Pathological edema during pregnancy. Swelling during pregnancy can be symptoms of the disease. The so-called dropsy of pregnancy is expressed by a sharp increase in body weight of more than 20 kg, severe swelling of the legs, arms, face and lower back. It is difficult for a woman to put on shoes, bend over, her eyes become small due to swelling of the eyelids. With dropsy, the child practically does not suffer; this is the initial form of gestosis. It needs to be treated so that dropsy does not develop into a more severe form of gestosis, which is also accompanied by the release of protein in the urine and an increase in blood pressure. With gestosis, both mother and fetus suffer.
Treatment of minor edema is carried out on an outpatient basis, but if, despite treatment, the condition does not improve, then the woman is sent to a hospital. If there is no improvement after a course of treatment, then premature delivery is carried out. It is necessary to visit the antenatal clinic in a timely manner in order to notice and prevent possible illness in time.
What is the danger of edema in pregnant women?
Foreign doctors tend to consider edema in pregnancy a physiological phenomenon that does not require treatment. True, with the caveat that edema will not be accompanied by protein in the urine and high blood pressure.
Russian obstetricians believe that edema needs to be treated, since dropsy in pregnancy is the first stage of gestosis and in 90% of cases, after edema, protein in the urine and high blood pressure appear. Timely treatment can prevent the transition of dropsy to subsequent stages of gestosis.
Edema is one of the three main signs of gestosis (also known as late toxicosis). It usually manifests itself in the third trimester, but individual development of the situation is also possible.
Prevention of edema during pregnancy
Previously, for “prevention”, pregnant women were recommended to limit fluid intake, but now they have come to the conclusion that if you limit fluid intake, the body will try to retain it, thereby increasing swelling. You should drink 1.5 - 2 liters of liquid (including fruits, soups and juices). But it is advisable to drink bound liquids - such liquids are retained in the bloodstream and do not leak into the tissues, therefore, they avoid swelling. These include freshly squeezed juices (fresh juices) and milk.
- You should also completely avoid thirst-causing foods. Try to avoid products such as glazed cheese curds, ice cream, cakes, halva, curd masses, vanillin, processed cheeses, kefir, smoked, pickled, spicy and fried foods.
— Do not drink sweet and carbonated liquids that cause thirst. Reduce your salt intake or even switch to a salt-free diet. Food should be under-salted, as salt retains fluid in the body. You can consume up to 8 g of salt per day instead of the usual 12-15 g.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, cereals. They can be stewed, boiled and baked. Sometimes you can quench your thirst by eating a juicy apple, orange or cucumber.
- It is better to eat food that is steamed or boiled, stewed, but not fried!
— In consultation with your doctor, you can drink herbal teas with diuretic properties (infusions of bearberry leaves or bears ears, horsetail, kidney tea). A glass of infusion is drunk during the day in 3-4 doses (1/3-? glass at a time). The course is long - from 3 to 4 weeks.
Important! Diuretics are prescribed only for severe swelling, and even then not for long. You cannot take this remedy on your own!
— To prevent edema during pregnancy, try to lead an active lifestyle. Moving every hour can prevent fluid buildup.
— An effective way to combat swelling is to lie with your legs elevated.
- Put on high-waisted tights in the morning before you get out of bed. This way, blood will not stagnate in the ankles.
- Try to stay in a hot place as little as possible.
- Take foot baths with cold water. The procedure time is 20 minutes.
- Massaging your feet in the evening will also help prevent swelling of the legs, and if this has happened, then relieve swelling.
- Drink a glass of hot milk at night, 1 day a week on apples and juice and try brewing dried apricots at night, and first thing in the morning drink water from it and for the next 30-40 minutes do not eat or drink anything;
— Regular tea with lemon without sugar or just water with a slice of lemon;
— Lingonberry compote also prevents swelling of the legs.
- If possible, try to change your shoes throughout the day, especially if you wear high heels.
— After 7 pm, try to drink less liquid.
— During the day, try to give your legs rest. Stroke them, massage them.
— Purchase special therapeutic stockings or tights that prevent swelling.
- Follow a diet with limited salt and water intake. Avoid drinking sugary sodas.
— Sleep with a cushion (pillow or rolled blanket) under your feet.
- Massage your feet daily and take baths with decongestants.
- In the evening, when you come home, take this position: lie on the floor, raise your legs and rest them against the wall. Stay in this position for 10-15 minutes. Then massage your legs from the feet to the knees. Movements should be energetic.
Important! If all these tips do not help, swelling becomes regular, you feel hardness and increased skin temperature in the swollen areas, be sure to consult a doctor.
In order to restore health to your feet and get rid of pain and swelling, you should completely change your daily routine.