Nature has decreed that a person is able to walk upright on his lower limbs - legs. This gift with positive factors also has a downside. Our legs and other body systems pay for the ability to move on the ground. Swelling is an example of the price a person sometimes pays.
Swelling of the legs affects 8 out of 10 people. This problem is more common among the female population. Men are less susceptible to edema. Distribution directly depends on the characteristics of the hormonal system. Swelling of the legs is a common companion for women during pregnancy. The problem becomes more acute in old age, causing pain and difficulty moving.
A simple truth will allow you to competently approach the issue of swelling. Edema is a symptom recognized as a consequence of diseases. Treatment of edema in isolation from the diseases that give rise to it is the work of Sisyphus. An experienced doctor will begin to look for the causes of swelling.
The main answers to why edema occurs remain common phenomena. These include poor nutrition, non-compliance with the daily routine, little physical activity, increased environmental pollution, and prolonged standing. Constant need to walk for a long time.
Edema is easy to recognize. Press the swollen area with your finger and you will see a permanent imprint. Often similar marks are left on the legs by tight clothing - tight stockings or socks. Dents of this kind signal the appearance of swelling.
The nature of the phenomenon is that a pathologically large amount of fluid (sometimes up to 30 kg) accumulates in the tissues of the body, especially in the lower extremities. Venous vessels do not cope with the task of sending blood through the circulation returning to the heart (from the legs up). The valves of the veins malfunction, resulting in venous stagnation (typical of varicose veins).
Blood settles in the capillaries under the influence of gravity. The system of blood vessels in the body is duplicated by the lymphatic system; if the work is disrupted, edema also forms. Each doctor adheres to his own classification of the origins of the symptom, based on which he makes the final diagnosis. Here is a complete list of diseases:
Edema can be asymmetrical. Unlike disorders of the cardiovascular system that provoke bilateral swelling, the opposite effect occurs. For example, patients are often interested in the causes of swelling exclusively in the left leg. A separate group of pathologies is known that causes a unilateral phenomenon:
If your left leg swells, you must remember that soon the same will happen to your right leg. Fluid retention is associated with the functioning of blood vessels. This is a general pathology of the body that can manifest itself in individual parts of the body. Blood vessels and lymph nodes are connected into a single network. The body, as it were, signals a global disease of this network. Therefore, the right leg will soon begin to swell. It is the matter of time.
Edema is not a disease. But it can become a signal of its presence. The reasons for its appearance are based on a simple scheme. The outflow of blood from a vein due to hydrostatic pressure. Prolonged stagnation of blood causes an increase in pressure in the capillaries. Liquid from the vessels is squeezed into the intercellular space, forming edema.
Additional reasons include constantly being on your feet. Especially in the case of using the wrong shoes (high heels). The situation is aggravated by excess weight and flat feet. There is a lot of stress on the legs and veins.
Poor nutrition. Consuming large amounts of salty foods and water retains fluids in the body. In combination with poor metabolism, a disastrous result develops. In conjunction with hormonal imbalances, the picture seems sad: the pain in the legs is getting worse.
Don't get carried away with taking medications. Side effects of the tablets lead to the formation of fluid deposits. Known names: amlodipine, enalapril, minirin, the use of which can cause the risk of swelling of the legs and cosmetic defects. Remember, before taking any medications, you should consult your doctor!
Here are other important reasons that affect health. Constant tension in the legs is as dangerous as no load at all. Low level of physical activity means low speed of blood movement through the vessels. Stagnant blood increases the level of tissue hydrophilicity. Heat and vasodilation lead to “seasonal” edema.
Injuries often become a catalyst for the onset of symptoms. The injured limb becomes swollen and painful. Movement is disrupted. The swelling usually goes away after recovery.
Sometimes we ourselves, without noticing, worsen the condition of our legs. If you wear stockings or socks with a tight elastic band, pinching of the blood vessels on the leg will occur. Oily creams and antiperspirants are also recognized as accomplices in the formation of foot swelling. Doctors do not advise excessive use of such drugs. By clogging pores, they disrupt hydrodynamic processes in the body.
At the first symptoms of illness, you should definitely consult a doctor. If treatment is not started, the tumor will progress. The swelling will spread to other limbs. Possible:
The symptoms of swollen extremities are varied. There is a known case where harmless swelling of the left leg developed into elephantiasis. This is a rare form of the disease. The flow of lymphatic fluid is disrupted. Patients lose the ability to move independently. A red liquid is released from the tumor. Patients experience constant pain.
A small percentage of the symptoms that you may encounter are indicated. You need to see a doctor immediately. A phlebologist specializes in such issues. The first procedure is an ultrasound examination of the legs. After conducting an examination and ultrasound of the deep and superficial veins, assessing the patency, the doctor will determine what causes led to the swelling. There is a high probability that other specialists will be involved in the diagnosis. The disease is complex and often stems from disorders of the cardiovascular system. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the intervention of doctors from other areas is welcomed.
Sometimes patients encounter unprofessionalism. It is especially unpleasant to meet him in medical circles. An example of a superficial view is given: treating the symptoms, not the cause. The doctor prescribed blood thinning medications. In case of oncology or congenital blood clotting factors, the patient must take medications for life. Diuretics are often prescribed. But these are superficial methods of combating swelling of the legs. Doctors are obliged to thoroughly study the causes of the disease.
In addition to treatment, the doctor is able to advise the correct behavior when dealing with edema. Wear compression garments and comfortable shoes. Limit walking in heels to 2 hours a day. Be sure to stick to your diet: limit your intake of salt and water. Avoid areas with high humidity. Less hard physical labor. Sanatorium treatment with mineral waters, water procedures, and heating pads is possible.
We will indicate additional means that will help relieve swelling and are trusted by traditional medicine. Before using the methods, it would be useful to consult a doctor.
Treatment of leg swelling with massage is very effective. This will improve microcirculation. The massage will straighten the veins. Include swimming and bathing here - water pressure prevents blood vessels from dilating.
When one leg swells, most people don't think much of it. The occurrence of persistent swelling indicates disturbances in the functioning of any organ or system, which leads to the accumulation of fluid in the tissues. It is necessary to determine the cause of leg swelling and direct therapeutic measures to eliminate it.
Swelling can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The first type is more often observed with heart failure, kidney failure, surges in blood pressure, and a decrease in protein concentration in the blood. The second is for blockage, compression of blood vessels, injury to one limb .
In most cases, left-sided swelling occurs because the signs of the underlying disease appeared first in the left leg. If you do not consult a vascular specialist - a phlebologist - in time, the same symptoms will appear on the second leg, and swelling will spread from the knee to the foot.
The cause of persistent swelling of the foot of the left leg can be varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, rupture of the articular cavity of the knee, trauma, tumor. Inflammation, poorly functioning vein valves, and blood clots prevent the outflow of blood and lymph from the periphery. The process of tissue drainage stops. Properly applied therapy or surgery will restore circulation in the vessels, and then the tissues will be freed from excess fluid.
Causes of congestion in the legs:
The characteristics of the body and the presence of concomitant diseases create individual prerequisites for the left leg to swell first.
Consultations with a cardiologist, rheumatologist, surgeon, osteopath, endocrinologist, allergist, and infectious disease specialist regarding leg swelling will help avoid serious complications.
A cholesterol or blood clot can partially close the lumen of the vessel, which will lead to swelling of the foot and lower leg of the left leg. In case of severe pain, lack of air, or fainting, urgent surgery to remove the blood clot is indicated.
Infection through broken skin is especially dangerous for patients with diabetes - wounds do not heal well, congestion aggravates inflammation.
Swelling quickly occurs with injuries, bruises, dislocations and sprains. In this case, you need to seek qualified help in order to receive competent treatment.
For mild swelling, the following is recommended:
After consulting with your doctor, you can use folk remedies to combat swelling:
Before using folk remedies, you should consult your doctor and make sure there are no allergic reactions to herbal components.
The syndrome of swelling of only the limbs, or the entire surface of the body, always has reasons why it occurs. Liquid easily penetrates into the space between cells and has difficulty leaving the body, which leads to swelling. There are many reasons why one leg swells, or swelling is present in both legs. This may be due to dysfunction of the venous blood flow and impaired renal function.
There are two degrees of swelling:
When the swelling syndrome is not expressed, the swelling is not visually visible, the tissue becomes loose, and fluid accumulates. This condition is called pastosity. When swelling is obvious, when pressure is applied to the skin, a dimple is formed. Why shouldn't we ignore symptoms that obviously tell us about a problem?
There are differences in which the left leg swells, or both legs, or rather what this is connected with. If the cause is a circulatory disorder, the symptoms are the same, but if there is a problem with the lymphatic system, the picture has completely different colors. There is no significant pain, swelling is not visible visually.
The most common situation is when the right or left leg swells due to venous insufficiency. Moreover, if the swelling is irregular, it occurs periodically. We can assume that this is most likely due to the following reasons:
It is worth deciding why and how the right or left leg swells. The acute form involves transient swelling; they appear in the legs within 2-3 days. The lesions are unilateral in nature, with a broken leg, if the leg is in a cast, vein thrombosis, or with a disease of the knee or hip joints. With bilateral damage, the common cause is heart disease, renal failure, and thrombosis.
In the acute form, cyanosis occurs in the legs, sharp pain appears, so-called stars can form when a mesh similar to a cobweb appears on the surface of the skin.
With swelling in the legs, only one, the right leg, is often affected, and there may be the following reasons for its occurrence:
Swelling always occurs in the cast, as blood circulation is impaired. But there may be another reason. If swelling appears only in an upright position or in a sitting position, then most likely thrombosis has occurred, and it is necessary to urgently show the leg in a cast to a doctor. Delay can lead to serious consequences: a blood clot can break off or clog a venous passage.
If one leg swells, say the right one, you should not ignore this fact and not take any action. One way to eliminate the problem is to do exercises that will help effectively eliminate swelling.
Massage also helps well, as it helps the blood flow to move properly, speeds it up, and prevents fluid from accumulating.
The use of various tinctures should not be ignored. The following are considered good remedies:
Place castor oil in a saucepan and heat over low heat. Then add turpentine in a 2:1 ratio. In the evening, or when pain in the legs appears, rub this infusion on the legs over the entire affected area.
We perform a massage using pieces of ice. This is an excellent option for relieving swelling in the legs, and if you add herbs to the cubes, the effect will increase significantly. Finely chopped sage, arnica, or yarrow herbs are scattered into molds for making ice, pour water into them and freeze. We use it to relieve swelling syndrome as necessary.
If the cause of the disease is the nodes that form during varicose veins, elderberry tincture or a compress of leaves, which are applied when pain in the legs appears, helps well.
In order to avoid the consequences of swelling, no matter what causes it, you must follow simple rules:
Why does it happen that swelling becomes chronic? How to identify the reasons why it occurs?
First of all, you need to understand that this issue cannot be left without attention. Consultation with a doctor is required, preferably with a high qualification. If varicose veins or thrombosis are not treated for a long time. Ulcers appear and nodes form. A detached blood clot can subsequently lead to serious consequences. So this disease should not be considered insignificant.
For chronic edema, it is necessary to undergo an examination, an electrocardiogram to rule out heart failure, and blood and urine tests. If you suspect renal failure, do an ultrasound of the kidneys to find out what is causing the chronic edema. Although the legs swell extremely rarely due to kidney disease, the lower back and facial part are mainly affected.
Everything in the human body is so connected that sometimes a seemingly frivolous complaint is a symptom of a dangerous disease. For example, a situation where the right leg swells. This may be the result of excessive fluid intake or a sign of threatening conditions that cannot be ignored.
The development of edema is based on the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space of tissues, which leads to an increase in the volume of the lower limb. It can either flow in excess or flow out insufficiently from a certain area in the body.
The causes of this symptom are different: from the patient’s lifestyle to pathologies that threaten the health of the body.
First of all, let’s look at provoking factors that can be influenced without medications or consulting a doctor:
However, isolated swelling of the right leg requires mandatory diagnosis and identification of the cause of development. Let's consider diseases that most often provoke swelling of one limb.
It is worth noting that at the beginning of the disease, the listed symptoms bother the patient in the late afternoon and arise as a result of prolonged walking and standing. In difficult situations, complaints are present around the clock.
Having become familiar with the main causes of edema of the right limb, it is clear that they all threaten the health and life of the patient. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor as soon as possible and identify the cause of its development. If your right leg is swollen, you should not hope that over time the pathological process will resolve and everything will pass without a trace. The reason that provoked this symptom will not go away, and may only temporarily not make itself felt.
One of the most threatening dangers that must be eliminated is the risk of stroke or heart attack.
If the reason that the right leg is swollen is varicose veins, it requires mandatory drug therapy and preventive measures. The disease occurs in several stages and in advanced cases ends with gangrene of the limb and its amputation.
Atherosclerosis is a serious disease that should also not be ignored. Plaques clog deep veins, which leads to poor circulation and the formation of blood clots. The first signs indicating a developing illness may be that the right leg becomes swollen and numb.
As you can see, there are different reasons, and not all of them are described above. For a qualified diagnosis, you must consult a doctor. Only a specialist, after conducting a series of examinations and tests, will be able to correctly diagnose, select the appropriate treatment and answer the question of why the right leg swells more than the left.
When faced with a problem, first of all, it is advised to consult a doctor. Before identifying the cause of the ailment, it is necessary to change your usual lifestyle. There are a number of recommendations that the patient can follow to reduce the signs that the right leg is swelling:
Depending on the reasons that triggered the development of symptoms, there are a number of specific preventive measures, about which you should consult a doctor.
Thus, the causes and treatment of swelling of the right leg are highly interrelated. In any case, do not ignore this symptom, as it may be the first sign of serious illness.
Term 23 weeks. There is also swelling on the right leg, but not as much as on the right. I took tests and my kidneys were fine. Now it seems that it is more likely not swelling, but swelling
If the swelling in one leg is worse, you should undergo an ultrasound of the veins.
Avoid salty foods. Is your blood pressure normal?
Probably a blood clot. Quickly see a doctor!
I absolutely agree with post 2 - it could be thrombophlebitis, see a surgeon urgently!
My father-in-law’s was so swollen and hard; an ultrasound revealed a 10 cm blood clot. We were in shock.
Pregnant women often experience swelling in their legs.
A competent doctor advised: take the knee-elbow position more often (several times a day for 30 minutes). The swelling goes away very quickly.
It doesn’t have to be on the floor, you can do it on the sofa (near the TV).
Try it, then tell me.
Of course, thrombophlebitis and lymphostasis must be excluded.
This happened to me: ((I suffered a lot before giving birth, my leg was exhausting me in the evening (it was summer and heat), I felt like my skin was about to burst and was “burning” by nightfall. The kidneys were also fine, IVs didn’t help. How It turned out that the child had compressed a vein and the blood flow was poor. And by the 8th month, the sciatic nerve was pinched. Which of the two troubles is better is not worth saying. Patience to you and a speedy birth without difficulties! :)
6, Thank you for your support. But I’ll probably still have to go for a vein ultrasound. The same thing with the sciatic nerve: (my baby lives on the left side, he’s pushing there. 25th week. It’ll be hard to imagine what’s next(((
Elena, hello! I have the same problem, my left leg is swollen, I’m 27 weeks pregnant. How is your leg, has the swelling gone?
At 36 weeks my left leg became very swollen; by morning the swelling had subsided a little, but my leg hurt. what is this? what should I do? for an appointment in 2 weeks.
I have pain in my left leg and swelling on the right side. What should I do? I’m 16 weeks pregnant.
I had the same problem. My legs became swollen and discomfort began to arise when walking. My husband advised me to drink potassium. I took 3 tablets and the swelling went away. It turns out that it helps remove fluid from the body. Potassium can be bought at a pharmacy, it’s called “Asparkam” and costs a penny.
My left leg is very swollen, it’s just swollen, what is it? I am 60 years old
If the swelling in one leg is worse, you should undergo an ultrasound of the veins. Avoid salty foods. Is your blood pressure normal?
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Edema occurs as a result of fluid accumulation in the intercellular space. This can happen for various reasons, for example, eating a lot of salty foods or drinking alcohol. But in this case, the swelling spreads to both legs at once and goes away very quickly. What can swelling of one leg indicate?
In a healthy person, swelling of the legs can be bilateral. Swelling of one lower limb is already a sign of the development of a disease. And many diseases can be accompanied by such a symptom, for example:
Swelling of one leg can be associated not only with serious pathological processes in the body, but also with injury. If you have previously been kicked or fallen, it is likely that internal hemorrhage and soft tissue damage occurred during this event. But in this case, the swelling is usually accompanied by the presence of a hematoma.
Sprained ligaments also cause swelling. In this case, the swelling does not spread to the entire limb, but is localized only in the area of the injury. Main symptoms: swelling, pain, limited mobility.
Swelling of the legs is also observed in pregnant women. The reason for this is the pressure of the uterus on the vessels, which leads to poor circulation, blood stagnation and the appearance of edema. Depending on which side (left or right) the greatest pressure occurs, swelling will be observed on that side.
But if this symptom is observed constantly and becomes more pronounced over time, then this indicates pathologies that require urgent treatment.
Often, unilateral edema is a symptom of elephantism, that is, elephantiasis or lymphederma. Such conditions arise against the background of stagnation of lymph in the body, which is a colorless liquid circulating through the vessels. It washes the walls of blood vessels from various substances and promotes their rapid removal from the body.
In these diseases, this process is disrupted and lymph stagnation occurs. And this, in turn, leads to hyperplasia of the skin and fatty tissue. This condition can be congenital or acquired. It is manifested by the following symptoms:
If elephantism is congenital, then swelling first occurs in the foot area. After this, it gradually begins to spread to the entire leg. If this disease has been acquired, then swelling occurs first in the thigh area, gradually spreading down the entire limb.
If only one leg is swollen, this may indicate a ruptured Baker's cyst. This condition is characterized by protrusion of the joint capsule with the knee. If a person has joint diseases, the size of this cyst increases and it ruptures. As a result, the fluid accumulated in it spreads throughout the leg, causing it to become significantly enlarged.
It should be noted that swelling of one leg may be associated with the already mentioned joint diseases, for example, arthritis or arthrosis. These diseases also include bursitis, gout, osteoporosis, etc.
They occur for various reasons: injuries, hypothermia, autoimmune disorders, alcohol abuse, and so on. If these diseases are left untreated, there is a risk of them spreading to the second leg or upper limbs.
These joint diseases are often characterized by limited mobility of the limb in which the joint is inflamed, crunching and pain during severe physical exertion.
Swelling of the leg may be a symptom of an allergic reaction, for example, to insect vinegar. In this case, swelling can be localized in various parts of the limb - calves, feet, ankles, and so on.
If the integrity of the skin on the leg was damaged and after that they were not treated with anything, there is a risk of infection entering the wound, which can also cause swelling. In this case, the skin takes on a red tint and becomes hot to the touch. If no action is taken, an abscess may develop.
Swelling in one limb may be associated with a tumor in the buttock or thigh. Its growth leads to compression of nearby tissues and vessels, which leads to impaired blood circulation and lymph outflow, resulting in swelling.
In any case, the appearance of swelling in only one leg should alert a person. After all, this symptom indicates the development of serious pathologies that require immediate treatment. Therefore, when it occurs, it is necessary to visit a doctor as quickly as possible and determine the cause of its occurrence.
Often people go to the doctor with a complaint that their left leg is swelling. Edema is most often a consequence of fluid accumulation in the tissues. With it, the legs can increase in volume, which makes movement difficult. Edema is not an independent disease, but only a clinical symptom. What are the causes of edema syndrome?
If the left leg swells, the reasons can be very different. Swelling of the legs does not always indicate any pathology. This condition often occurs in women while pregnant. This occurs against the background of hormonal changes and compression of large vessels by the enlarged uterus. If the leg swells, experts say that this may be a consequence of various pathologies. The following etiological factors are identified:
The ankle of the left leg often swells greatly. The reasons may lie in drinking a large volume of liquid, being overweight, high blood pressure, wearing uncomfortable shoes, or traumatic injuries to the legs. In some cases, the right and left legs swell when using certain medications (hypotensive drugs, glucocorticoids).
Swelling in the left leg may be a symptom of heart failure. This most often occurs with chronic insufficiency. This pathology is characterized by impaired cardiac contractility and blood stagnation. The causes of heart failure are numerous. These include coronary heart disease (angina pectoris, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction), cardiomyopathy, heart defects, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The risk group includes people over 60 years of age. Predisposing factors include the following:
These patients may experience severe swelling in their legs. Edema syndrome develops against the background of accumulation of fluid in tissues, slowing of blood flow, sodium retention, and impaired renal function. At first, the swelling is hidden and manifests itself as a decrease in diuresis. Under normal drinking conditions, 1-1.5 liters of urine are excreted in the urine. Against the background of heart failure, the patient begins to gain weight. Edema is characterized by the following features:
If the leg is swollen, the presence of swelling can be determined by pressing on the leg with a finger. In the presence of edema, a hole is formed, which gradually levels out. Edema is not the only symptom of heart failure. In this condition, shortness of breath, tachycardia, cyanosis or pale skin, and weakness are observed. Bronchitis or pneumonia often develops.
Swelling of the left and right legs is possible due to renal failure.
This is a pathological condition in which the functions of the kidneys are affected: the removal of metabolic products and toxic substances from the body. This is achieved by filtering blood plasma. The following causes of renal failure and the appearance of edema are distinguished:
The development of renal edema is due to more intense filtration of blood plasma proteins, increased sodium concentration, and increased permeability of the capillary wall. Renal edema rarely occurs lower in the left or right leg. This can happen in severe cases. Renal edema differs from cardiac edema in the following ways:
They are warm to the touch, their temperature is close to the temperature of the human body.
If a person has leg swelling, then treatment is selected after establishing the exact cause of the swelling syndrome.
Diagnostics includes:
Treatment depends on the underlying disease. In case of blood loss, a blood transfusion is required. In case of poisoning, blood is purified by plasmapheresis. In case of pyelonephritis or bacterial sepsis, antibiotics are prescribed. Treatment of glomerulonephritis includes adherence to diet No. 7, the use of antibiotics (Penicillin, Ampiox), hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antihypertensive drugs. For severe edema, diuretics are used. It is also necessary to limit fluid intake.
To improve urine excretion, you can drink herbal tea or lingonberry juice. Treatment of heart failure is carried out with cardiac glycosides (Digoxin, Strophanthin), vasodilators, nitrates, diuretics (Spironolactone, Furosemide), anticoagulants.
Thus, swelling in the left leg is most often caused by dysfunction of the heart and kidneys. Treatment is determined by the doctor depending on the underlying pathology.