Aging is a natural process, during which metabolic disorders occur and the functioning of system organs is disrupted. Because of this, edema appears in old age. They may cause severe pain, itching, and a large number of ulcers. It is necessary to be attentive to the disease; swelling can be a dangerous signal; it indicates that a malfunction has occurred in the body; timely treatment is necessary. Edema is often caused by diseases of the internal system organs.
Signs of the disease can be constant or periodic; with edema, a terrible feeling occurs - bloating, the person feels discomfort, he is uncomfortable. Can't find the right shoes for himself. Constantly looking for the best position to put his leg in order to get rid of the pain.
Also, with edema, older people experience general malaise, pain, and the person gets tired both physically and psychologically. The swelling is located near the ankle joint, in some situations it affects the sole and toes. If a person is lying down, the swelling begins to localize in the lower back and radiates to the feet. This swelling occurs due to the fact that a person does not move, constantly lies down, the lungs often swell, and serious heart diseases occur.
Swelling affects both one limb and several. It all depends on the cause of the swelling. Treatment methods depend on what caused the disease. There are acute and chronic forms of edema.
If one leg is affected, this indicates problems with the veins. Only the attending doctor, who will prescribe the necessary tests, will help you find out why this type of edema occurs.
Most often, this type of edema is provoked by venous thrombosis, traumatic injuries, inflammation, infection in the lymph nodes, joint diseases, and subsequently unbearable pain appears and it is difficult to move.
Swelling worsens in summer. It is important to first determine the cause of the disease and then undergo a course of treatment. The main causes of edema include:
1. Acute venous insufficiency, in which venous outflow is disrupted. Then severe pain appears, during which swelling increases and bloating occurs. In this situation, surgical treatment is necessary.
2. Thrombosis with varicose veins. Swelling appears after a long trip, if a person has been on bed rest for a long time, his lower limbs are immobilized. When blood stagnates, blood clots begin to form, which impairs blood flow. The pain in this situation is increasing, swelling affects the ankles and feet. With the disease, the color of the skin may change, swelling prevents a person from fully moving
3. Edema in older people due to injury, when ligaments, muscles, and small vessels are torn. When injured, severe pain occurs.
4. Chronic edema occurs due to diseases in which a large amount of fluid begins to accumulate in the body and the outflow of fluid is disrupted.
5. Varicose veins of the legs appear due to the fact that blood circulation is impaired; the disease is dangerous because it ends in thrombosis. The pain is aggravated after heavy exertion, if a person is carrying heavy loads or is overloaded. When the patient notices that the swelling is increasing, an urgent need to consult a doctor. Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels is prescribed.
6. Swelling in heart failure. The pain is localized in the foot and radiates to the thigh. In this situation, it is necessary to undergo an ECG. The cardiologist prescribes treatment.
8. Night apnea, chronic lung disease, heart failure when the right ventricle is working lead to swelling. Diagnosed using echocardiography data. Often the treatment is carried out by a therapist.
9. Kidney diseases often lead to edema in old age. Due to kidney failure, blood flow is disrupted, protein imbalance and hydronephrosis occur. In this situation, consultation with a urologist is necessary.
10. Liver diseases lead to edema, which occurs if homeostasis is disturbed; in the analysis it is necessary to pay attention to globulin and albumin. Often, swelling due to the liver is caused by hypertensive syndrome. Treatment methods are selected by the hepatologist.
11. Excess weight loads the circulatory system of an elderly person, which is how edema occurs.
12. Some medications often lead to edema.
A patient who has swelling of the lower extremities, the tissues increase slightly, they become loose and soft. It is necessary to perform a McClure-Oditch test. A saline solution is injected subcutaneously, then the tissues swell. Using the method, you can find out about the speed at which the liquid is absorbed; if the swelling is severe, the speed is high.
In addition to conducting a visual inspection, you need to touch the swelling with your finger, a trace will remain. This indicates that the hole is large and the swelling is deep.
Lymphedema is determined using the Kaposi-Stemmer test. The result is positive if you grasp the back of the skin of the foot and do not form a crease. Additionally, blood and urine are examined; it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the blood vessels of the legs and phlebography.
The most commonly prescribed drugs against edema are diuretics; with their help, you can remove excess fluid that accumulates in the tissues and get rid of pain. It is effective to use herbal teas that have a diuretic effect.
Place your feet higher than your head. Lie calmly, you need to put a pillow under the ankle joint, this way you can get rid of the unpleasant sensations. Take a contrast shower to improve blood circulation. Every day you need to do exercises, with their help you can get rid of stagnation, this is the best prevention of varicose veins and edema.
Let's talk about swelling of the legs in older people, the reasons why they occur and treatment with folk remedies. Aging of people is an absolutely natural process, but, unfortunately, it is not without problems that arise and are inherent in the blessed age. One of them is edema.
In people of the older generation, metabolism gradually slows down, internal organs do not work very reliably, as a result, fluid accumulates in the tissues, which sometimes brings a lot of suffering. Swelling is not always harmless, as it seems; in some cases, it is a signal of a serious illness and not necessarily of the legs.
Swelling of the legs can be short-term, but sometimes it is permanent. Sometimes swelling occurs on one leg, only on the toes. Depending on the symptoms, it is possible to determine the cause of the problem with the lower extremities. And knowing the reason, you can cope with swelling.
One of the most well-known and common causes of edema in women is sleep apnea syndrome. The disease is associated with respiratory arrest and decreased air flow during sleep.
Statistics say: up to 9% of older women who have reached the period after menopause suffer from this pathology. Please note: you snore at night, are sleepy during the day, there is a significant thickening of the neck - this may be a symptom of apnea.
There is no need to sit idly by; the body can and should be helped. Do not forget to treat the underlying disease that caused swelling of the legs. The doctor will select the necessary medications.
But at the same time, use additional help to the body with folk remedies. There are many remedies in the arsenal of traditional medicine that provide effective assistance to older people with fluid accumulation in the legs. There are many herbs and herbal infusions, I offer recipes for some of them.
First of all, establish a drinking regime. People who drink enough water suffer from edema much less often.
I gave a large number of diuretic herbs and recipes for preparing medicinal infusions in another article devoted to the treatment of edema - please read it. You can prepare decoctions yourself; the pharmacy has a considerable number of decoctions that can be purchased ready-made (you will have to brew them yourself, but instructions are included).
Exercises are great for older people who are prone to leg swelling for treatment and prevention at the same time. Don’t wait for a problem to arise; do the following exercises regularly:
Take care of your feet, my dears. You won't have any others. And don't be afraid of old age, it's not as terrible as it seems. It is important to take good care of your body. Listen sensitively to signals and help. Swelling of the legs in the elderly is an unpleasant thing, the causes are sometimes serious, but it is possible to treat and cope with the problem, including using folk remedies. Be healthy, with love... Galina Nekrasova.
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In adulthood, natural aging of the body occurs, during which disturbances in general metabolism are observed. This is the main reason that causes swelling of the legs in older people. The problem must be taken seriously. In addition to physical discomfort in the form of itching, pain and ulcers, such swelling signals a malfunction in the body caused by a disease of the internal organs.
Older people have a slower metabolism, internal organs do not function at full capacity, and accordingly, tissues begin to retain more fluid. All this gradually leads to swelling of the face, arms, and legs. It is not so easy to get rid of such edema, even if you change your lifestyle or your usual diet.
When there is a disease of the internal organs, the first signals appear in the form of edema. They can be periodic or constant and cause considerable inconvenience. The person feels full and looks for a position in which to get rid of the pain. Often the swelling becomes so severe that it is difficult to find suitable shoes.
The pain becomes incredibly intense, it is exhausting not only physically, but also psychologically. Older people begin to experience general malaise.
Edema can be chronic or acute.
Elderly people suffering from swelling of the legs should undergo comprehensive treatment based on the results of diagnostic studies.
A McClure-Oditch test is performed, in which a saline solution is injected subcutaneously and the tissue begins to swell. This method allows you to determine the rate at which the fluid is absorbed.
The specialist also performs a visual examination of the limbs and palpates. If marks remain on the skin, this indicates deep swelling.
In most cases, leg swelling is treated with diuretic medications. They relieve pain and remove fluid that accumulates in the tissues. Treatment is often prescribed with traditional methods - herbs that have diuretic effects.
Experts recommend that older people with swelling of the legs perform a special set of physical exercises. This is an excellent prophylactic not only against swelling, but also against stagnation and thrombosis. It is important to remember that older people require increased close attention and the causes of many of their diseases are usually interrelated.
Swelling of the legs often plagues older people. In addition to physical discomfort, this symptom is accompanied by pain and a feeling of fullness. This condition cannot be allowed to continue, as the problem only gets worse over time.
Before starting treatment for leg swelling in the elderly, it is important to know the reasons why they occur. With accurate diagnosis, therapy is most successful.
We can talk about edema when excess intercellular fluid accumulates in the tissues. As a result, the limb swells; in some cases, the swollen leg becomes several times larger than the healthy one, making it impossible to walk.
Swelling may extend only to the toes or cover the entire foot or lower leg. In bedridden patients, the legs swell along the entire length, the swelling extends to the lower back.
In addition to visible enlargement of the limb, symptoms of edema include:
Swelling can occur on one leg or on both legs at the same time. Treatment for swelling of the legs in older people depends on the disease that caused it.
The most that a patient can do on his own without going to the doctor is only to temporarily relieve unpleasant symptoms.
The main causes of swelling of the legs in the elderly include:
Chronic diseases also cause fluid retention in the body and, as a result, edema:
Many people suffer from heart or vascular insufficiency in old age. These diseases, as some of the most common in old age, are worth talking about separately.
With age, the heart gradually wears out and many diseases appear in old age.
Blood circulation is gradually disrupted, pulse and blood pressure begin to jump, and the risk of myocardial infarction increases.
Often leg swelling in the elderly is associated with heart failure.
In addition to swelling, other symptoms indicate the disease:
Gradually, the symptoms only intensify and begin to appear not only during moments of movement or emotional upheaval, but also in a state of complete rest. Heart failure requires mandatory treatment.
Important! The longer the heart is healthy, the better the blood supply works and the less risk of complications such as edema and vascular diseases. Prevention of heart disease should begin at a young age.
Chronic venous insufficiency is one of the reasons why an old person's legs become very swollen. The main vessels become clogged, causing the blood supply to be disrupted very quickly. The disease affects the deep veins, the symptoms are very similar to varicose veins:
The more severely the blood circulation is impaired, the stronger the swelling will be. Based on the swelling, the doctor can determine where the blocked areas of the veins are located.
Important! Ointments and compresses do not help in the treatment of chronic insufficiency, since they do not have any effect on the walls of blood vessels. Such measures only relieve pain or swelling.
In case of acute swelling, you should immediately consult a doctor.
If with normal edema the limbs do not differ much in size from healthy ones, then with severe edema the dimensions are at least twice as large as normal.
It’s even more dangerous if both legs become very swollen at once, this may indicate an exacerbation of heart or kidney disease.
If an elderly person is prone to edema, he needs to regularly visit doctors at least once every six months. Preventive examinations will help to detect diseases in time and cure them faster.
To treat severe swelling of the legs in older people, drug therapy is primarily prescribed.
Drugs, their dosage and course duration are prescribed only by the attending physician and only after passing all the necessary examinations and tests. If the swelling is caused by a disease, the main treatment is aimed at it.
Folk methods and remedies for external use help if swelling occurs due to uncomfortable shoes or excessive physical activity. In addition, exercises aimed at improving blood circulation in the legs are useful.
So, when the cause of the disease is discovered, the doctor prescribes drugs for treatment.
Depending on the specific disease, remedies for swelling of the legs in the elderly will be different:
In addition to medications for swelling of the legs in the elderly, prevention is added to therapy - massage, physical exercise. It is important to monitor your water balance and weight, walk in the fresh air more often and get enough sleep.
There are many recipes and recommendations for treating leg swelling in the elderly with folk remedies. Typically this includes a variety of foot baths, ointments and herbal treatments.
Medicinal plants for internal or external use should be used with caution and only after consulting a doctor. So, what to do if the legs of the elderly swell:
When trying folk recipes on yourself, it is important to remember that they are only an addition to the main treatment. Self-medication without a visit to a doctor can lead to complications.
In older people, swelling of the legs is a fairly common phenomenon that requires an integrated approach to treatment. If the problem is caused by a specific disease, without treatment the swelling will return again and again.
At the first symptoms, you should consult a doctor, or even better, undergo regular preventive examinations.
This disease can bother you constantly, or it can remind you of itself from time to time. One way or another, if an elderly person’s legs swell, this causes him a lot of discomfort - walking causes severe pain, while sitting or lying down one has to constantly look for at least some comfortable position . Additionally, finding the right shoes is added to the list of problems.
Weakness, general malaise, psychological and physical fatigue - this is not a complete list of complications that arise with edema in older people. Swelling usually affects the ankle joint, in some cases spreading to the toes and soles.
If an elderly person does not stand up, swelling may form in the lumbar region. This disease is very dangerous and can lead to pulmonary edema and the development of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Edema in an elderly person, depending on its causes, can be localized either on one limb or on both at once.
Among the main causes of edema are:
Violation of venous outflow of blood . Swelling is accompanied by severe pain and bloating. This case requires immediate surgical intervention;
Formation of blood clots as a result of varicose veins. Edema occurs due to lack of physical activity (long trips, bed rest), as a result of which the blood in the vessels stagnates and blood clots form. In this case, the swelling is localized in the feet and ankles. The pain syndrome is of an increasing nature;
Rupture of blood vessels , muscles and (or) ligaments as a result of injury. The pain manifests itself instantly;
Chronic diseases in which the outflow of fluid from the body is disrupted;
Varicose veins , which can lead to the formation of blood clots. In such a situation, a person experiences pain as a result of prolonged exercise. If swelling occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor. First of all, in cases of this kind, the doctor prescribes dopplerography of blood vessels;
Heart failure in an elderly person swells. In this case, the feet, the pain radiates to the thigh. You should be examined by a cardiologist, first of all, do an ECG;
Sleep apnea syndrome , chronic lung diseases, heart failure with right ventricular function. In such a situation, treatment is carried out by a therapist. The disease is diagnosed using echocardiography;
Kidney diseases . As a result of kidney failure, circulatory disorders, protein imbalance, and nephrosis occur. You should be examined by a urologist;
Liver disease can also lead to edema in older people. As a rule, this occurs due to hypertensive syndrome. It is necessary to consult a hepatologist, pass all the necessary tests (pay special attention to globulin and albumin);
The influence of excess weight on the functioning of the circulatory system of an elderly person;
Excessive accumulation of intercellular fluid, and as a consequence the formation of edema, can occur in several “scenarios”:
as a result of local venous obstruction and increased blood volume, an increase in hydrostatic pressure occurs ;
With lymphatic edema, the outflow of fluid through the lymphatic vessels is disrupted, and the intercellular fluid has a higher viscosity and protein concentration.
In an elderly person suffering from swelling of the legs, there is an increase in the tissue of the lower extremities ; they acquire a looser and softer texture. In such a situation, doctors perform the McClure-Odich test. It consists of injecting a physical solution under the skin, as a result of which tissue swelling is artificially created. The faster the resulting blister resolves, the greater the swelling in an elderly person.
Determination of lymphedema is carried out using blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound examination of leg vessels and phlebography. Also in this case, the Kaposi-Stemmer test . If no fold is formed when the skin of the foot is grasped, the patient is diagnosed with edema.
As a rule, treatment of edema in older people is prescribed depending on the reasons that led to its occurrence. In most cases, primary care, removal of excess fluid and pain relief is carried out with the help of decongestant diuretics. It is also recommended to take diuretic infusions of medicinal herbs.
In case of varicose veins, external use of an ointment or gel containing horse chestnut extract (such as Venozol or Venitan) is prescribed. This medicine can improve blood circulation, prevent the formation of blood clots, get rid of inflammation and increase tone in blood vessels.
Among the most effective remedies are Lyoton gel, Traxevasin gel, Ginkor gel , which allow you to relieve swelling in a fairly short time, acting directly on the cause. If an elderly person suffers from varicose veins and their legs experience constant stress, it is recommended to wear compression knitwear.
If the cause of edema in an elderly person is kidney failure , it is necessary first of all to deal with this particular disease and restore normal functioning of the kidneys. In case of cardiac edema, it is recommended to take diuretic medications, such as Furosemide.
However, you should be careful; excessive use of this drug can cause hypokalemia. To avoid such consequences, you should also take Panangin, Asparkam .
Also, swelling in older people can occur due to high blood pressure . In this case, doctors prescribe Indal, Arifon, Indapafon - medications that have a diuretic effect.
In addition to taking pills and using ointments, doctors recommend combating swelling by positioning your legs higher than your head . For these purposes, you should lie on your back with a pillow under your feet.
A contrast shower will help get rid of pain and burning in the legs - a change in temperature helps to increase the speed of blood circulation in the vessels. An excellent way to prevent blood clots is to exercise daily.
In order to prevent and treat edema in older people, it is recommended not only to use infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, but also to make certain changes to your diet . The main goal here is not to overload the body and prevent excess fluid from accumulating in it . Keep salty, sweet, smoked and pickled foods to a minimum in your menu.
Try to eat more watermelons, melons, blackberries, persimmons, rowan berries - they can replace diuretics. For many, the big secret is the similar effect of rice porridge. Avoid drinking green tea and fruit juice before bed to avoid sleep problems.
infusion of horse chestnut will help solve the problem of leg swelling in older people . Crushed horse chestnut is infused with vodka for 10 days. This remedy will be especially useful for people suffering from varicose veins.
Another effective remedy is parsley root infusion . Chop a tablespoon of parsley and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. The next morning, filter the prepared solution and drink it throughout the day.
Kalanchoe infusion will also help solve the problem of swelling of the legs in older people . Pour vodka over the crushed plant and leave for 15 days. Rub the resulting product onto swollen parts of the body.
If you have been bothered by swelling of your legs for a long time, protect them at night with a self-prepared patch of water, wax and olive oil . Repeat the procedure regularly.
In the fight against swelling of the legs, elderly people will be helped by baths with a strong decoction of woodlice .
You can prepare a good herbal diuretic yourself by mixing 100 ml of carrot, cucumber and lemon juice . It is recommended to drink a warm drink three times a day - for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Another proven folk remedy is a mixture of olive and camphor oil . Rub the affected area of your body regularly.
Steam your feet in herbal baths. Infuse chamomile flowers, mint and birch leaves for an hour, then add hot water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. Make sure that the water temperature does not exceed 38°C.
A bath of juniper berries, 100 grams of sea salt, mustard powder, two teaspoons of baking soda and 1 liter of water will help relieve pain from swelling of the legs in older people .
The use of contrast baths will help prevent the formation of blood clots, improve blood circulation and relieve swelling of the legs in older people . Immerse your feet alternately in cold and then in hot water.
Often the cause of swelling of the feet in older people is incorrectly selected shoes - too high a heel, or too flat a sole. The best option would be shoes with medium heels, which will improve blood circulation, and as a result, the likelihood of swelling will be minimized. In addition, in such shoes your feet will get the least tired.
Failure to follow a daily routine will certainly affect the condition of your body at any age. In older people, this will primarily manifest itself in the appearance of edema.
Swelling of the legs in the elderly is a signal indicating that it is necessary to begin treatment. They cause discomfort and pain and disrupt the usual way of life.
Aging is a natural state of the body in which problems arise with metabolism, maintaining homeostasis and the functioning of internal organs. All this can cause swelling of the legs in the elderly. Swelling may be accompanied by pain, itching and ulcers. It is necessary to pay special attention to this problem in the initial stage, since swelling is a signal indicating that there is a problem in the body and it is time to start treatment. These problems can arise from the functioning of individual internal organs and systems, or from the body as a whole.
In older people, edema can occur periodically or constantly, causing painful feelings of fullness, inconvenience, and discomfort. It is difficult to find comfortable shoes, a position for the foot that will somehow alleviate the discomfort. Pain, malaise, physical and psychological fatigue are the companions of the edematous state. The swelling may be located around the ankle, extending only to the toes and sole. In bedridden patients, swelling spreads from the lower back to the foot, growing gradually. In the patient it appears due to immobility, pulmonary edema, and heart failure.
Swelling of the legs can occur on one leg and sometimes occur on the other leg as well. Depending on the reasons that caused the disease, the initial diagnosis can be differentiated. Treatment directly depends on the source of the disease. There are two forms: acute edema and chronic. The reasons are different, so it is important to determine which factor led to the occurrence of violations.
If only one leg is involved in the process of edema, then this is most often a consequence of venous insufficiency. Only a doctor can decide why such swelling occurs. Venous thrombosis, traumatic injuries, an inflammatory and infectious process in the skin or lymph nodes, and joint diseases often occur, causing pain and immobility.
If an elderly person has swelling in both limbs, this indicates a worsening of cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Initially, they could have been triggered by the volume of active movements. Especially in summer, there is a “surge” of elderly people seeking medical help. There is more movement, and patients may be bothered by swelling. The cause and treatment should always be determined by a medical specialist, and a preventive examination for any swelling should be done once every six months.
Occurs due to rapid disruption of venous outflow or hemodynamic disturbances. The patient experiences pain, accompanied by visually detectable swelling and a feeling of fullness. Treatment is often surgical.
This condition occurs after long trips, flights, bed rest, and sometimes against the background of immobilization of the lower limb. As a result of blood stagnation, blood clots form in the legs, which interfere with the flow of blood back to the heart. Increasing pain often occurs, swelling appears in the foot and ankle. Skin color changes and swelling interferes with movement. The limb is cold to the touch and touching the muscles is painful.
In case of injury, there is only one reason - an acute condition due to rupture of muscles, ligaments, and small vessels. Acute pain, changes in skin color, and increasing volume of skin indicate injury.
Chronic swelling begins against the background of diseases that are accompanied by excessive accumulation of fluid in the body and disruption of the dynamics of outflow.
Occurs as a result of chronic circulatory failure due to thrombosis. Pain occurs after exertion or carrying heavy objects. If it is noticed that the swelling has become greater than before, then urgent medical attention is needed. After Doppler sonography, treatment is prescribed by a phlebologist or surgeon.
With this disease, swelling and pain occur in the foot, gradually rising up to the thigh. Cardiac diagnostics must be done, because the disease is directly related to the functioning of the heart. Based on the results of the study, treatment is prescribed by a cardiologist.
Sleep apnea, chronic lung disease, heart failure when the right ventricle is working lead to swelling. Diagnosed using echocardiography data. Often the treatment is carried out by a therapist.
Renal failure leads to impaired blood flow (nephritic) and results in a clear imbalance of protein and oncotic pressure (nephrosis). Treatment in this case is carried out by a urologist or nephrologist.
Edema is formed due to a violation of homeostasis, albumin and globulins in liver cells. Internal portal hypertension syndrome may also be a cause. Treatment is prescribed by a hepatologist. Before this, it is useful to do general examinations.
Excess weight in older people can serve as an additional burden on the circulatory system. Treatment in this case is complex, but first of all, consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary.
Every year there are more and more drugs, but there are no fewer elderly sick people. Taking certain medications may contribute to swelling.
In a patient with swelling of the lower extremities, the first thing that occurs is pastosity. It is expressed in a slight increase in tissue, looseness and softness to the touch are noted. Determination of pastiness is carried out using the McClure-Odich test. The saline solution is injected subcutaneously, after which swelling occurs after a while. This is how the rate of fluid resorption is measured and with severe swelling it will be high.
In addition to visual inspection, it is enough to press your finger on the swelling. A trace remains. This means that the hole is larger; patients are clearly bothered by deep swelling, which may not cause pain.
To determine the characteristics of lymphedema, the Kaposi-Stemmer test is used. If the result is positive, when grasping the skin of the back of the foot in the area of the second phalanx, it is not possible to form a fold.
Additional means of diagnosing the patient are data from clinical studies of blood, urine, phlebography, ultrasound of the vessels of the lower extremities and abdominal organs of an elderly person.
Treatment of edema in older people largely depends on the diagnosis, which leads to disturbances in trophism and homeostasis. If you regularly take standard decongestant diuretics, they will initially remove the fluid accumulated in the tissues and reduce pain. Medicinal herbs that have a diuretic effect are effective.
Placing the legs above the head helps relieve swelling. To do this, just lie quietly for a while and put a pillow under your ankles, which will relieve pain. A contrast shower has a cooling and analgesic effect, after which the patient’s burning sensation will disappear and blood circulation will increase. Experts recommend doing daily physical exercise to avoid stagnation and as a prevention of thrombosis. It is important to remember that elderly patients require careful care and special attention, since the causes of many diseases are interrelated.
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Performing various functions, the human body wears out and ages. This is a natural process from which you cannot hide or run away. If metabolism is disrupted, cells lose contact with each other, tissues become thinner, health difficulties begin, and urgent treatment is required. The mistakes of youth and a negligent attitude towards one’s own well-being come to light. Remember, if older people's legs swell, there is a warning sign.
The reason is explained by disruption of the internal organs. Additional physical activity can aggravate the difficult situation. The main causes of edema are diseases of the kidneys, heart and liver, and metabolic disorders in old age.
After 80 years, the body is already very worn out; it is a rare pensioner who remains absolutely healthy at such an honorable age. Chronic diseases of individual organs and their systems are the cause of poor health and swelling in the legs.
One of the leading factors in the development of leg swelling in humans. In old age, blood flow slows down, blood stagnates in certain tissues for too long, and edema occurs. Circulatory disorders lead to varicose veins, venous insufficiency and even thrombosis. If swelling is accompanied by severe pain, seek help immediately. In case of venous diseases, the pain is bursting and increasing, swelling intensifies after walking or physical activity. Location: ankle and feet.
Thrombosis is accompanied by severe swelling, leaving no opportunity to move normally. If the legs turn black at the site of the blood clot, the disease requires immediate medical attention. Swelling in one leg directly indicates the presence of venous disease, thrombosis or injury. For example, a swollen left leg indicates an obvious illness.
Swelling of the legs in an elderly person can occur due to heart failure. In this case, the pain is sharp and radiates to the thigh. The disease requires urgent consultation with a specialist. Heart disease is considered the main cause, they are more susceptible to heart disease. Don't forget to take the appropriate pills to improve your cardiovascular system.
The most common cause of edema. Why does the stable and coordinated operation of body systems fail? In advancing years, the mechanisms of cell interaction are disrupted. If the metabolic processes of vital organs occur incorrectly, an imbalance of electrolytes and proteins occurs.
Kidneys are one of the busiest organs. Fluid accumulates excessively in the body, harmful substances do not have time to be processed in time, resulting in kidney nephrosis. Your health worsens and symptoms arise. Disturbed liver homeostasis in women and men has similar consequences. Diuretics will help the kidneys function better.
Diabetes mellitus is recognized as a common disease in women that leads to metabolic disorders. The disease leads to frequent swelling of the legs. It is necessary to take pills or insulin injections on time and monitor the nature of the swelling. develops most often.
A common cause of edema. If soft tissues are damaged by falls or bruises, the integrity of small vessels and capillaries is disrupted, which is characterized by redness and swelling. Treatment is carried out immediately: the injury can be serious.
In addition to small and minor injuries, swelling is considered a symptom of dangerous injuries. As a rule, swelling in an injury goes away after a few hours; cold helps relieve it.
The aging body of an elderly person needs sensitive and proper care. Diet is an important component of the health of aging women and men.
In their declining years, people neglect healthy eating for various reasons. It seems that nutrition is no longer important. Failure to follow an appropriate diet, especially after 80 years, leads to many diseases, edema is inevitable.
Large body weight in people is a common cause of edema. Worn-out muscle fibers cannot withstand the load, blood circulation is impaired, and the legs swell from fatigue. The process occurs especially often in the summer in women.
Possible causes of edema in an elderly person include chronic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, difficulties with absorption and distribution of fluid. Diuretics will help remove toxins. Swelling of the legs is a sign of pulmonary hypertension and high blood pressure.
In addition to obvious disturbances in the functioning of organs, external causes are identified. For example, the use of medications. Many drugs have side effects such as swelling of the limbs.
Until the exact cause of swelling is determined, it is necessary to get rid of unpleasant symptoms by local action. More often, the doctor prescribes gels and ointments that have an anti-inflammatory effect and fight the formation of blood clots. These medications contain horse chestnut or heparin. Diuretics will improve metabolic processes, and excess fluid will be evenly distributed throughout the body.
The next proven method of treating edema is the use of badyagi. Silicon needles relieve unpleasant symptoms. It is recommended to dilute badyagu with vegetable oil in a 1:1 ratio or water until a liquid paste forms, then apply to the site of swelling overnight.
There are many types of special stockings, socks and tights for women that have a compression effect, allowing the legs to rest more. The products do not restrict movement and prevent the development of thrombosis. Such remedies can be suitable for many men.
Treatment aimed at eradicating the true causes of swelling allows us to eliminate the cause and effect of the disease. The doctor prescribes anti-edema therapy based on the use of medications that cure the underlying disease and the use of local remedies. For example, if kidney function is impaired, it is recommended to use diuretics.
High blood pressure must be brought back to normal using various medications. A cardiologist can help cure cardiovascular diseases. Maintaining chronic diseases in remission allows you to forget about the unpleasant swelling of your legs for a long time.
Regardless of the cause of edema, reconsider your lifestyle. In old age, it is important to know a sense of proportion. Life shouldn't be too stressful and hectic, but you shouldn't sit too long. Engage in healthy physical therapy. Stretch your legs using massage movements.
After a long walk, place your feet higher than the rest of your torso, a position that will help reduce tension. The main treatment at home is maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a daily routine that is gentle on your feet.
Review your diet. Poor nutrition is the main reason for poor health. Remove excessively fatty, salty, smoked foods. This will reboot your tired body. Eat more grains, fresh vegetables and fruits. Meat and fish are best cooked boiled, stewed or steamed. Take diuretic teas to prevent kidney disease.
Avoid overexertion and stress. If sleep is disturbed, take a soothing herbal tea or valerian tablets. Do not overstrain your body with long walks and physical activities that are no longer suitable for you. Alternate between rest and activity to achieve the most comfortable and favorable state.
Grandmothers have been treated with folk recipes for hundreds of years. Among the methods, treatment with horse chestnut tincture is common. To prepare, you need to pour chopped chestnuts with vodka and leave in a dark place for 10 days. The finished tincture is taken orally, 10 drops several times a day. Horse chestnut is a threat to varicose veins and swelling.
Apply lotions to the affected areas with an alcohol solution against edema. Folk remedies can easily and affordably relieve swelling of any nature.
A simple medicine made from parsley root will help relieve severe swelling. Pour 50 g of chopped parsley into 500 ml of boiling water. Prepare the infusion overnight, filter in the morning, drink throughout the day. In addition to horse chestnut and parsley, treatment with flax seeds has a positive effect. A decoction of flaxseed can relieve severe swelling. Pour 100 g of flax seeds into a liter of boiling water and cook in a water bath for 30 minutes. Place in a warm place for several hours. Take the anti-edema remedy half a glass 6-8 times a day, the course of treatment is 3 weeks.
In case of kidney problems, natural diuretics will help - green tea, berry fruit drinks and compotes, watermelons, melons. The medicinal collection will speed up the processing and filtration of the liquid. Watery accumulations in the soft tissues will disperse, swelling will decrease.
In the pharmacy you can find many different herbs and tinctures that improve kidney function. Selected herbs have proven themselves to be effective diuretics. For example, horsetail, sage, milk thistle, linden, oregano. Many of the medicinal herbs have a complex effect on the body and can treat other ailments.
Treatment with water will help to avoid unpleasant sensations. Contrasting anti-edema foot baths will relieve tension. Alternate warm water with cold water, the swelling will definitely decrease, and then it will go away completely. This is an affordable and simple method to improve your well-being, especially after physical fatigue. After finishing taking baths, use camphor and olive oil for your feet. Rub in with massage movements until completely absorbed. For preventive purposes, massage should be done every night.
If we put it all together, we get a recommendation: you need to act actively and comprehensively, eliminating the causes of the formation of the painful condition. Swollen feet in people can be easily treated by following simple tips:
If an elderly person's legs swell, this is a sure sign that treatment should be started without any delay. It will not be possible to turn a blind eye to this problem, since swelling causes severe pain and forces you to say goodbye to your usual way of life. To fight this disease, you first need to find its causes.
In most cases, edema occurs in older people . This is explained by the fact that during the aging process, completely natural changes occur in the human body (failures in the metabolic process, difficulties, disruption of the functioning of internal organs).
Edema in older people brings quite a lot of inconvenience: sharp pain, itching, and possibly the appearance of a large number of ulcers . If this disease makes itself felt, you should treat it with the most careful attention. After all, as a rule, swelling signals serious problems in the body. Very often, the cause of swelling of the legs in an elderly person is various diseases of the internal organs.
This disease can bother you constantly, or it can remind you of itself from time to time. One way or another, if an elderly person’s legs swell, this causes him a lot of discomfort - walking causes severe pain, while sitting or lying down one has to constantly look for at least some comfortable position . Additionally, finding the right shoes is added to the list of problems.
Weakness, general malaise, psychological and physical fatigue - this is not a complete list of complications that arise with edema in older people. Swelling usually affects the ankle joint, in some cases spreading to the toes and soles.
Heart failure in an elderly person swells. In this case, the feet, the pain radiates to the thigh. You should be examined by a cardiologist, first of all, do an ECG;
Pulmonary edema due to pulmonary hypertension;
Effects of certain drugs.
Excessive accumulation of intercellular fluid, and as a consequence the formation of edema, can occur in several “scenarios”:
as a result of hypoproteinemia (decrease in the concentration of protein fractions), a decrease in the oncotic pressure of blood plasma occurs ;
due to the influence of inflammatory mediators, capillary permeability increases ;
due to obstructive processes, the drainage abilities of the lymphatic system deteriorate .
When treating edema in older people, elucidating the mechanism of their formation and choosing treatment methods, it is very important to study the composition of the intercellular fluid. For example, the intercellular fluid is characterized by low viscosity and protein concentration during venous edema of the legs. Edema occurs due to excessive inflow from the capillaries.
Also, the presence of edema can be diagnosed by visual examination . When palpating the edema, noticeable marks remain.
This material also helps relieve swelling faster, allowing your feet to rest. It is worth paying attention to special tights .
Also, swelling in older people can occur due to high blood pressure . In this case, doctors prescribe Indal, Arifon, Indapafon - medications that have a diuretic effect.
Do not self-medicate or take medications without a doctor's prescription . You should not rely on the advice of pharmacists at the pharmacy when choosing medications, this can lead to completely the opposite result.
A contrast shower will help get rid of pain and burning in the legs - a change in temperature helps to increase the speed of blood circulation in the vessels. An excellent way to prevent blood clots is to exercise daily.
In order to prevent and treat edema in older people, it is recommended not only to use infusions and decoctions of medicinal herbs, but also to make certain changes to your diet . The main goal here is not to overload the body and prevent excess fluid from accumulating in it . Keep salty, sweet, smoked and pickled foods to a minimum in your menu.
Try to eat more watermelons, melons, blackberries, persimmons, rowan berries - they can replace diuretics. For many, the big secret is the similar effect of rice porridge. Avoid drinking green tea and fruit juice before bed to avoid sleep problems.
Another effective remedy is parsley root infusion . Chop a tablespoon of parsley and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. The next morning, filter the prepared solution and drink it throughout the day.
In the summer, walking barefoot through the dew . After this, it is recommended to take baths with sea salt. If there is no sea salt, replace it with iodized food grade salt.
A decoction of flax seeds will help older people in the fight against edema, which they have not been able to get rid of for a long time. Boil 5 teaspoons of seeds in 1 liter of water for 20 minutes. Infuse the resulting liquid in a warm, dry place for two hours. If desired, you can add a little lemon juice to make the taste more pleasant. Take the decoction up to 8 times a day, 100 ml, the course of treatment should not exceed three weeks.
Prepare a saline solution (1 kg of salt per bucket of water). Soak a terry towel in the resulting liquid, wring it lightly and apply it to your lower back. This procedure has a diuretic effect. After regularly doing it before bed for two weeks, you will notice that the swelling has subsided significantly.
You can prepare a good herbal diuretic yourself by mixing 100 ml of carrot, cucumber and lemon juice . It is recommended to drink a warm drink three times a day - for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The famous Bulgarian healer Vanga was treated for edema using milkweed and egg yolk . She applied the mixture obtained from these two ingredients to the swollen area.
Another proven folk remedy is a mixture of olive and camphor oil . Rub the affected area of your body regularly.
Steam your feet in herbal baths. Infuse chamomile flowers, mint and birch leaves for an hour, then add hot water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. Make sure that the water temperature does not exceed 38°C.
Even if swelling of the legs does not torment an elderly person so often and does not cause severe discomfort, preventive measures should be followed in order to prevent complications.
Often the cause of swelling of the feet in older people is incorrectly selected shoes - too high a heel, or too flat a sole. The best option would be shoes with medium heels, which will improve blood circulation, and as a result, the likelihood of swelling will be minimized. In addition, in such shoes your feet will get the least tired.
As you know, edema is formed as a result of the accumulation of an excessive amount of intercellular fluid. In turn, salt retains water in the body. Try to consume as little salt and foods containing it as possible. Be especially careful in the warm season, when the constant feeling of thirst is especially intensified.
Lack of physical activity can lead not only to the appearance of edema in an elderly person, but also to the development of more serious diseases (varicose veins, for example). Keep this in mind and try to do at least two or three exercises every day.
The use of certain medications can lead to edema in older people. If this problem occurs, consult your doctor, who will help you choose a more appropriate remedy.
Main Swelling of the legs: causes in older people are natural changes in the body that are observed in adulthood: metabolism gradually slows down, internal organs function worse, tissues begin to retain more fluid. As a result, characteristic swelling appears, which affects not only the legs, but also the arms and face. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to get rid of swelling of the legs by making some changes to your diet or lifestyle: in some cases, swelling of the legs in older people may indicate not so much age-related changes in the body, but rather serious diseases.
A natural consequence of aging
Swelling of the legs in older people is a more than common phenomenon and, unfortunately, quite natural. The main cause of swelling in old age is irreversible age-related changes in the body. For example, the functions of many internal organs deteriorate - in particular, the kidneys, which are worse at filtering toxins and removing excess fluid from the body.
Blood circulation is also disrupted, as a result of which the outflow of blood from the lower extremities back to the heart worsens and fluid stagnation occurs in the legs.
Finally, even the structure of the tissues gradually changes: the body’s production of substances that serve as the “building units” of soft tissues slows down with age, the tissues become looser and retain fluid more easily.
Is leg swelling always harmless?
Of course, swelling of the legs does not always occur - a reason to worry in older people - this is harmless swelling: sometimes such swelling can be a sign of quite serious disorders or diseases of the kidneys and cardiovascular system. Swelling of the legs may indicate heart failure, which develops against the background of more serious heart diseases (in such cases, swelling of the ankles is most often observed), chronic lung diseases or cirrhosis of the liver - all these disorders lead to stagnation of fluid, which accumulates mainly in the lower part of the body - that is, in the legs.
The cause of leg swelling can also be deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities - the formation of blood clots in the lumen of the vessels. In such cases, the swelling is often uneven - for example, only one leg is swollen - and is accompanied by other symptoms (in particular, pain and a burning sensation, redness of the skin).
How to avoid swelling in old age
Since in many cases leg swelling in older people is caused by completely natural causes, it is possible to combat swelling: symptoms and treatment without specific treatment methods. However, just resting in a horizontal position, with the legs raised above the level of the body, is often not enough to relieve swelling - swelling of the lower extremities turns into a chronic problem. Making some changes in the diet helps reduce swelling of the legs in the elderly - and, in particular, avoiding salt, which contributes to fluid retention in the tissues and leads to swelling. It is partly because of this effect of salt that a salt-free diet is recommended for many patients - for example, with diseases and impaired kidney function.
To eliminate salt from your diet, simply give up table salt - do not add salt to dishes during cooking, do not season ready-made dishes with salt.
The body will still receive the required amount of salt in food products, so giving up salt will only have a positive effect on your health.
Another immutable rule that must be followed to successfully get rid of edema not just for one evening, but for a long period of time is physical activity and normal body weight. Since adipose tissue is another “culprit” of fluid retention in the body, in order to get rid of swelling of the legs, it is necessary to get rid of fat deposits. Of course, for older people, the intense physical activity that young people need is not suitable, but this does not mean that when you retire, you need to switch to a sedentary lifestyle. Any muscle work stimulates blood circulation, which means it simultaneously speeds up the process of removing excess fluid from tissues, helping to get rid of swelling.
It is important to know! An effective remedy for VARICOSIS exists! Until the disease turns into a trophic ulcer, it is necessary to treat correctly.
Leg swelling is common in older people. The body can react in this way to the weather or signal a serious illness developing in it. And a natural question arises: what to do if an elderly person’s legs swell? First you need to find out the cause of the pathology. If your legs swell, the cause in older women can be very different. Swelling of the legs means that fluid is retained in the body. This may happen for one of the following reasons:
According to statistics, leg swelling in older people varies depending on gender. In women, they are formed several times more often than in men, their peers. This condition causes severe discomfort; some people suffer from pain, a feeling of heaviness, and the inability to put on their usual shoes. Along with this, there is a decline in vital energy, depressed mood, and a deterioration in general well-being. In severe cases, ulcers may appear on the legs.
In addition to the above reasons, legs may become swollen due to diseases such as varicose veins, joint diseases, excess weight, fractures and leg injuries, or as a result of the side effects of certain medications.
Swelling of the legs can be a consequence of the natural aging processes that occur in the body. With age, metabolism slows down, the functioning of all human organs deteriorates, tissues become porous, as a result of which fluid is retained in them. Therefore, slight swelling of the legs in an elderly person may be normal. It’s a completely different matter if the hands and face also swell, and the swelling is large and bluish in color. This most likely indicates the presence of some disease.
Fluid in the human body moves through 2 systems: venous and lymphatic. As blood moves through the veins, they are closed with valves to prevent it from flowing back. Sometimes the valves malfunction, blood can stagnate in the lower extremities, as a result, the walls of the veins stretch and become weak. Then varicose veins appear. When blood stagnates, it can penetrate into the tissues, and fluid is also retained, causing swelling.
Over time, spider veins become visible on the legs, and then veins begin to protrude. But sometimes varicose veins can only manifest as swelling, and either one or both legs can swell. The reasons for this are hidden vascular diseases. To make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment, the patient is usually referred to.
What are the causes of leg swelling in older people suffering from varicose veins? The older a person is, the more fragile his blood vessels become. Therefore, about 90% of elderly people have a disease such as varicose veins. If the disease is treated correctly and in a timely manner, the outflow of blood in the legs is normalized, and the manifestations of swelling of the legs are reduced.
This disease is treated mainly locally, that is, anti-inflammatory and analgesic gels and ointments are prescribed. It is recommended to wear special compression stockings or tights, or to wrap your legs with an elastic bandage. At the same time, the vessels are compressed, and blood flow in them improves. Drugs are prescribed in tablets to strengthen blood vessels and reduce swelling.
If varicose veins are not treated in time and left untreated, blood clots can form in the vessels and thrombophlebitis occurs. In this case, most often the foot and lower leg swell, the skin on them is cold to the touch, and pain is felt when touched.
This disease is very dangerous, as the resulting blood clots clog the blood vessels. And if the blood clot comes off, then in a very short time a large artery can be blocked. At the same time, the person’s well-being sharply deteriorates, and if resuscitation measures are not immediately carried out, death is almost inevitable.
With this disease, swelling of the legs in older people is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back, pale skin, shortness of breath, and sometimes fever. An elderly person suffering from thrombophlebitis often experiences swelling of the left limb. The disease is treated with medication or surgery. People who frequently fly long distances and bedridden patients are at risk. Prevention of the disease includes proper nutrition, the use of special medications, and regular medical examinations.
The causes of the disease are varicose veins, a violation of the outflow of blood, so it is very important to start treatment at the first signs of varicose veins.
The causes of deteriorating health in older people are often heart disease. The heart is a pump that pumps blood constantly throughout life, never stopping for a minute. Over time, the heart ceases to cope with its main function, as a result of which the blood supply is disrupted, and every organ suffers from a lack of blood. Often older people suffer from pericarditis, ischemia, rheumatism of the heart, myocarditis, and suffer myocardial infarction.
Swelling of the legs in older people is often associated with heart failure. Along with this, a person notices the following symptoms:
Over time, heart failure progresses. And if at first heart pain and shortness of breath appear only after physical activity, then gradually they begin to occur at rest. Then urgent treatment is necessary. It includes the use of medications, adherence to a strict diet, and special physical training. Good heart function is very important, which is why you should not wait for problems to appear, but take care of it in advance. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases is a correct lifestyle, a balanced diet, and a calm emotional state.
When your legs are swollen, your joints hurt, and your body temperature is elevated, it could be arthritis. Any joint can be affected, but the disease most often attacks the knees. In this case, the knees swell, the skin on them is red, inflamed, and hot to the touch.
Arthritis can be infectious when an infection enters the joint along with the bloodstream. The most common causes of infectious arthritis are staphylococcus and salmonella. The disease has unpleasant symptoms and even more severe consequences. The disease destroys the joint, and if treatment is not started in a timely manner, it can even result in the death of the patient.
Treatment should begin at the first signs of the disease, then it can still be cured with drug therapy. Subsequently, a course of antibiotics and analgesics are used to relieve pain. If therapy fails, surgical treatment is used.
Often, in elderly people, the legs become very swollen due to chronic or acute diseases of the kidneys and liver. The feet are predominantly swollen. Additionally, the amount of urine produced decreases and bags form under the eyes. Often a person suffers from diarrhea.
Edema of the lower extremities occurs in people suffering from liver cirrhosis, hepatosis or hepatitis. These are serious diseases and are treated in a hospital setting. Liver diseases often manifest themselves in late stages, since this organ does not have nerve endings. Therefore, great attention should be paid to deterioration of health, the appearance of symptoms other than pain, for example swelling of the legs.
Legs swell with pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, kidney stones. The kidneys are a very important organ, so these diseases must be treated promptly and fully. Otherwise, they can go into a chronic stage, which significantly reduces the quality of life, especially in older people.
Elephantiasis is another disease that most often affects one limb. At the same time, it swells so much that it resembles an elephant’s leg, and becomes many times thicker than a healthy one. Therefore, walking becomes very difficult and sometimes impossible.
With a disease called dropsy, a lot of fluid accumulates under the skin, in the abdomen, brain and other organs, including the legs. This is not an independent disease, but only a symptom of other diseases. It can also occur in the presence of certain factors, for example:
The pathology manifests itself in different ways, but there are also common symptoms for all types of dropsy:
Dropsy that affects the legs is called hydrarthrosis. It occurs as a result of tuberculosis, syphilis, osteochondritis. The knee joints are most often affected. In this case, the legs swell and joint mobility is limited. It is treated by piercing the joint and pumping out the resulting fluid.
The cause of edema can be chronic lung diseases and obesity. With excess weight, the circulatory system of an elderly person experiences additional stress, which leads to stagnation of fluid in the tissues. Swelling can be a side effect of certain medications.
Injury to soft tissue can also cause a tumor. Small vessels and capillaries are damaged, especially in older people, since they are fragile at this age. If you apply cold to the injured area, the swelling subsides after a few hours. When the cold does not help, you need to contact a medical facility, as the injury could be more serious than it seemed at first.
In old age, it is very important to eat right. Eating large amounts of salty, pickled, spicy foods and liquids leads to the formation of edema. Therefore, older people should follow a diet.
With each passing year, the human body ages. In their youth, many people are negligent about their health. And in old age, you have to pay for the mistakes made in your youth with health problems and the occurrence of various diseases.
If an elderly person's legs swell, this is an alarm signal. It’s better to play it safe and see a doctor than to start the disease. After all, a disease that is not cured in time threatens to become chronic, severe complications, and other troubles that can be completely avoided by paying attention to the first symptoms.
As people age, they increasingly face the problem of swollen legs; the cause in older women can be very different: from a harmless reaction to the weather to symptoms of a serious illness. How should you behave and what should you do in such cases?
The main cause of leg swelling is fluid retention in the human body. This may happen due to:
are more common in women than in men, especially in old age. With age, metabolic processes slow down, the function of the endocrine glands decreases, which leads to loose tissue and fluid retention. This can also be facilitated by the presence of a large number of diseases that provoke fluid accumulation.
In older people, due to insufficiency of the muscular walls of the veins, which can cause blood stagnation, which causes swelling, pain, and deterioration in general health. Problems with veins can occur for various reasons:
What symptoms may accompany leg swelling in an elderly person?
To make sure that the patient really has swelling of the lower extremities, you should:
If you have swelling of the extremities, which is accompanied by weakness in the legs, you should contact a qualified doctor who will prescribe the necessary examination, find out, and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Self-medication, which is practiced by older people, is not recommended. Often, if a grandmother has swollen legs, pain and weakness in her legs, she prefers to use traditional medicine recipes and treat the swelling on her own. This approach can sometimes relieve symptoms temporarily, but most often this treatment does not address the underlying cause of the swelling.
Unfortunately, many elderly people are alone, there is no one to monitor their health and help with the provision of qualified medical care. In such cases, the state should provide free medical care to single and low-income elderly people. If an elderly person has relatives and close friends, they can monitor their health status and provide the necessary assistance.
To prescribe the correct treatment, a comprehensive examination of the patient is required. To determine the causes of swelling of the limbs, the doctor prescribes the following diagnostic procedures:
What to do if your legs swell? Treatment is prescribed by the doctor depending on the diagnostic results. The most important thing is the treatment of the underlying disease, which causes swelling of the limbs. Your doctor may prescribe pills or ointments to relieve symptoms.
General recommendations for edema:
If the cause of edema is fluid retention, you can use the following recipes:
It is not recommended to use any traditional methods without prior consultation with a doctor and diagnosis, since you can get rid of symptoms only for a limited time, but without treating the underlying disease they will soon return.
When self-medicating, there is a risk of using drugs that have contraindications for concomitant old diseases that the patient is not aware of, therefore, when prescribing any treatment methods, you should consult a doctor.
Author of the article: Natalya
Mostly swelling is on the ankle joints, less often on the face and hands.
In bedridden patients, swelling is localized near the lower back and extends to the feet. Such edema is caused by diseases of the lungs and heart due to the inability of patients to move.
Swelling affects several limbs or just one, depending on the reasons that caused it. The method of treatment depends on what causes the disease.
If there are problems with the veins, one limb swells. Most often this is caused by venous thrombosis, joint diseases, and infectious lesions of the lymph nodes. At the same time, patients move with difficulty and experience unbearable pain.
Mostly swelling begins to worsen in the summer. To begin appropriate treatment, it is important to find the cause that is causing it.
Elderly people suffering from swelling of the legs should undergo comprehensive treatment based on the results of diagnostic studies. A McClure-Oditch test is performed, in which a saline solution is injected subcutaneously and the tissue begins to swell. This method allows you to determine the rate at which the fluid is absorbed. The specialist also performs a visual examination of the limbs and palpates. If marks remain on the skin, this indicates deep swelling.
To diagnose lymphedema, the Kaposi-Stemmer test is prescribed. Additionally, ultrasound examination of blood vessels, clinical tests of urine, blood, and venography are prescribed.