What to do with swelling of the legs from long sitting? Reasons why legs swell. How to deal with swelling of the lower extremities

Edema on the legs- a phenomenon that almost every person has encountered. It lies in the fact that at the end of the working day, for example, the usual shoes become tight, and heaviness is felt in the legs. There are many reasons for this state of affairs. Among them, there may be a number of diseases, a symptom of which is swelling of the legs, lifestyle, working postures and positions of the legs, and other factors that cause swelling of the legs.

Mostly women and older people suffer from swelling of the legs. Often, complaints of swelling come from overweight people.

Causes of leg swelling

- Wrong shoes. Wearing shoes with too high or too low heels, narrow and tight shoes leads to impaired circulation and leads to fluid accumulation, which as a result manifests itself as swelling in the legs;

- flat feet;

- sitting cross-legged or sitting for a long time on a soft and uncomfortable seat also answers the question - "Why do my legs swell?" This group of factors also affects the violation of normal blood circulation in the legs;

- a lot of pressure on the legs. Such a load can appear in a number of several factors - overweight, work associated with a long standing position, work associated with carrying weights, pregnancy, etc .;

- varicose veins in the legs and thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities;

- drinking plenty of fluids at night. In this case, swelling of the legs appears mainly in the morning, since the excess fluid has not been removed from the body during the night;

- violations of cardiovascular activity;

- diseases associated with disorders of the intestines.

What to do if the legs swell

When swelling of the legs appears first, the question becomes not why this happened, but what to do to relieve swelling of the legs. There are several ways to solve this problem:

1. Exercises to relieve fatigue and swelling of the legs. Among them most occupy flexion and extensor movements of the toes or feet.
2. Leg massage.
3. Relaxing baths. Herbal decoctions or soothing oils, such as eucalyptus oil, can be added to the water.
4. Enough is sold in pharmacies today a large number of ointments and creams that relieve heaviness in the legs and swelling.
5. It is necessary to optimize the amount of fluid consumed. If possible, you should try to consume as little liquid as possible after 19 hours.
6. With symptoms of kidney disease, liver, intestines and other organs leading to swelling of the legs, everything must be done to cure these diseases.
7. In some cases, diuretics help.
8. You need to lose weight, lose weight.

As a prevention of swelling of the legs it is necessary to do rest for the legs, massage during the day. You can purchase special stockings or tights. It is necessary to normalize the water and drinking regime. The amount of water consumed should be about 2 liters per day. You also need to review your diet. It is necessary to reduce the amount of salt, coffee and alcohol consumed.

Many people have swollen feet from sedentary work. Sedentary work or a long stay behind the wheel of a car often leads to the formation of various health problems. Blame it sedentary image life. Man, by nature, must constantly be in motion, such a model of behavior is inherent in us by nature itself. By changing it and switching from an active lifestyle to a sedentary principle of existence, we sacrifice our health. For many, this change of orientation is expressed in the fact that after a long time spent without movement, the legs swell from sitting for a long time at work or after a flight. However, these are only the first signs of more serious health complications.

What processes occur in our body during prolonged immobilization, why do the legs swell? Man is designed by nature for constant movement. All systems and algorithms of the body work around this principle. Therefore, from a long sitting or other type of immobilization, a certain failure occurs, which leads to the formation of puffiness. lower extremities. This is due to the fact that in normal conditions all the moisture that has entered the body with food or in the form of water is removed from it naturally.

During movement, we spend a large amount of energy and water, which is the transporter of all the nutrients circulating in the body. Large expenditures of heat and calories lead to the removal of a significant amount of water from the body. When sitting or lying down for a long time, energy is practically not expended, i.e. water does not transport nutrients. This leads to the fact that it accumulates in the body, there are simply no prerequisites for its removal. As a rule, this is expressed by swelling in the legs. Edema is formed due to some pronounced factors that contribute to water retention in the body:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• lack of physical activity;
• high salt intake in the diet;
• uncomfortable sitting posture;
• long-term stay in one position.

From sedentary work, blood circulation in the body slows down, which leads to a decrease in the number of metabolic processes occurring in human systems. The only place where water is spent in this state of affairs is the heating of the body, since a certain amount of energy and, as a result, moisture is constantly expended to maintain a uniform temperature.

However, this process is not enough to remove a large amount of water. Its excess, due to the earth's gravity, descends to the lowest place of the human body. As you know, the leg, or rather, its foot, is such a point in the physical shell of a person, therefore, falling into it, water produces swelling.

The main factors contributing to the formation of leg edema

Lack of physical activity also negatively affects human health.

It is this type of activity that stimulates all body processes and promotes tissue renewal, which requires huge expenditures of energy and water, which delivers everything. necessary elements and substances to places of physical impact. However, you should be careful not to overdo it with the exercises, because a little longer applied load can play a cruel joke and itself cause moisture retention. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid overwork and maintain a measured training regimen.

Salt, also known as sodium chloride, is the root cause of water retention in the body. Salt compounds block the flow of metabolic processes, which leads to metabolic disorders and its consequence - a violation of the removal of moisture. With long-term sitting, there is no stimulus that would normalize metabolic reactions. All these factors lead to the formation of edema.

Convenience is also incredibly important. Some people get swollen feet on an airplane or during various train journeys. The reason for this, combined with low physical activity, is the wrong sitting posture. There are many positions of the legs and arms, in which the access of blood and oxygen to a particular part of the body is blocked. This leads to a slowdown in the course of the main reactions of the body, which is fraught with the formation of puffiness. Therefore, in order to protect your legs after a trip, you need to choose a comfortable sitting position, which will be used during travel.

One of the important aspects is a long stay in one position, as this slows down the course of metabolic processes and leads to stagnation of water, which forms edema.

Prevention of swelling of the legs is an incredibly important occupation.

Are your feet swollen for no apparent reason? The factors that form the swelling of the legs are almost invisible and hidden from our eyes. However, with the systematic ignoring of the symptoms, their gradual effect on the body occurs. Over time, they find their loopholes in human immunity and manifest themselves in full. Prevention of puffiness consists in observing some rules aimed at neutralizing the consequences associated with sedentary work. These include the following set of measures:

• active image life;
• walks in the open air;
• avoid overwork;
• compliance with the diet;
• refusal of excessively salty food;
• organization of breaks during sedentary work.

All these measures are aimed at neutralizing the consequences and preventing swelling. Only an integrated approach can give results and prevent the appearance of edema, which is only a harbinger of more serious health problems.

Since the systematic ignoring of its manifestations can serve as prerequisites for the formation of various diseases or be the basis of inflammatory processes. Therefore, carrying out preventive measures is extremely important for creating good health and organizing reliable immunity.

Update: October 2018

The edematous syndrome of the limbs or the human body is always based on conditions under which there is an easy penetration of fluid into the intercellular space and its removal from the body is difficult.
This is facilitated by:

• arterial (especially capillary) or venous blood flow disorders
• problems with lymphatic drainage
• violation of the excretory function of the kidneys

A variety of local edema is swelling of the legs, which are a manifestation of many diseases, expressed in varying degrees of severity. When the swelling of the legs is not pronounced, that is, the friability of the tissues slightly increases and water accumulates in it, this is called pastosity. In this case, there may be no edema visible to the eye, but the skin becomes pale and soft, doughy.

• To determine pastosity, you can use the McClure-Aldrich test, the essence of which is to measure the rate of resorption of a liquid (saline solution) injected intradermally. After this injection, a tubercle is formed from the saline solution, and with severe edema (increased hydrophilicity of the tissues), it disappears much faster than in the normal state of the tissues.
• If the tissue edema is pronounced, then when pressing on it, a hole usually forms.

Edema on the background of circulatory disorders and lymphatic edema has some differences.

• Lymphedema (also called lymphedema) is more dense and is not accompanied by pain. It is characterized by the sign of Kaposi-Stemmer, when the skin of the rear of the foot at the base of the second toe cannot be captured in a fold. Lymphedema develops due to the accumulation of fluid with a high protein content in the thickness of the skin.
• Venous insufficiency is in the first place among the causes of leg edema, while due to the increase in the penetration of water from the capillaries into the tissues, the volume of the intercellular fluid with low viscosity increases, which does not drain normally.

Unlike lymphatic edema, with venous congestion, swelling of the legs decreases somewhat with prolonged lying.

When swelling of the legs occurs periodically in healthy person, you can analyze the possible banal causes, which in most cases can be eliminated:

• Abuse of fatty, salty foods and large amounts of liquid at night
• Prolonged sitting on soft and low chairs, the habit of sitting cross-legged
• Incorrectly chosen shoes - without a heel or too high a heel, uncomfortable shoes, squeezing the leg and toes.

Causes of acute swelling of the legs

Acute swelling of the legs should include those that develop within 2-3 days. In this case, damage can be:

• unilateral - vein thrombosis, trauma, leg fracture, removed lymph nodes in the groin, diseases of the knee or hip joint
• bilateral - decompensation of heart or kidney diseases, venous insufficiency

Deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities

The most common thrombotic complications occur against the background. With prolonged bed rest or immobilization of the limb, as well as with chemotherapy or radiation therapy in cancer patients. An acute situation characterized by a partial or complete violation of the patency of the deep veins of the legs, which is accompanied by:

• puffiness
• blueness of the foot or lower leg
• severe pain in the affected limb

Although, there are a number of “silent” thromboses, in which the pain is not pronounced or minimal, but there is only swelling of one leg. The process can be either one or two-sided. On examination, in addition to changing the color and volume of the leg, it is possible to determine the coldness of the limb and muscle soreness.

• For thrombosis of the veins of the leg, the Homans test is characteristic - the calves of the legs hurt when the foot is dorsiflexed.
• With the defeat of the saphenous vein of the thigh - Louvel's test, pain when sneezing and coughing in the projection of the left or right saphenous vein.
• Thrombosis of the iliac-femoral area is characterized by pain in the thigh, abdomen and lower back, as well as total swelling of the thigh.

Edema after injury

Post-traumatic unilateral edema is caused by rupture, separation of the medial head of the gastrocnemius muscle, and interfascial space syndrome. In addition to swelling in the projection of the injury, there is severe pain.

Acute venous insufficiency

This is usually a decompensation of chronic venous outflow problems. It may be associated with changes in hemodynamic requirements:

• pregnancy
• flight in an airplane
• prolonged immobility
• increased intra-abdominal pressure with constipation or severe physical work

Bilateral expansion of the venous trunks, visible under the skin, is accompanied by swelling, increased fatigue of the legs and pain after exercise.

Differential diagnosis of leg edema

When the legs are swollen chronically

• Varicose veins of the lower extremities and chronic insufficiency of superficial or deep veins

This is the main cause of recurring long-term swelling of the legs. The failure of the venous valves leads to the expansion of capacitive vessels, the formation of varicose veins and the creation of conditions for easier leakage of fluid into the interstitial space. The vascular network under the skin, heaviness in the legs, pain and swelling over time are supplemented by trophic skin disorders in the form of ulcers and weeping, as well as hemosidernia deposits in the form of brown spots on the legs and back of the foot. For diagnosis, they resort to Doppler research.

• Chronic heart failure involving the systemic circulation is also accompanied by swelling of the legs.

First, the rear of the feet swells and the legs swell at the ankles. As heart failure progresses, the edema rises higher and captures the lower legs and thighs. At the same time, from additional symptoms shortness of breath, fatigue, enlargement of the liver and a tendency to accumulate fluid not only in the legs, but also in the abdominal cavity are characteristic. For cardiac edema of the legs, the formation of a fossa with pressure is characteristic. The diagnosis is confirmed by ECHO-KG.

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension in its chronic form also leads to swelling in the legs.

It develops as a result of chronic pulmonary pathologies, acute right ventricular heart failure, and even as a result of sleep apnea in individuals with soft palate hypertrophy. The diagnosis is established by ECHO-KG.

• Chronic kidney disease

kidney disease associated with kidney failure or nephrotic syndrome (glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis). In general, renal edema can be divided into those that occur due to impaired blood flow in the kidneys (nephritic) and those that are the result of an imbalance of proteins and a difference in oncotic pressure (nephrotic). Nephritic edema on the legs is a rarity that appears after the morning puffiness of the face. Edema is looser and passes easily. The feet are more likely to swell. Nephrotic edema of the legs accompanies swelling of the face and lower back, is more dense and occurs more often.

• Hepatocellular insufficiency

Medicinal swelling of the legs

If we put aside the banal allergic edema, which can develop in response to medication and is accompanied by redness and, there are still a lot of clinical situations where drugs are responsible for the swelling of the lower extremities.

• Glucocorticosteroids - prednisolone, prednisone, triamcinolone, dexamethasone
• Calcium antagonists - diltiazem, nifedepine, amlodipine, verapamil
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most probable causes swelling in the legs. However, they can act as a trigger for interstitial nephritis.
• In addition to these drugs, estrogens, testosterone preparations, methyldopa, beta-blockers, hydralazine, clonidine, minoxidil, diuretics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus can lead to swelling of the legs.

Causes of lymphedema

• Actually lymphedema can develop as a congenital disease, when edema appears in the very early age, or by the mechanism of acquired pathology.
• There is also a primary process - tard's lymphedema, congenital and familial lymphedema.
• Secondary syndrome in the program of other diseases - lymphoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, as well as scarring or blockage of the lymphatic vessels as a result of surgery, radiation therapy or bacterial infections.
• In the chronic process, in addition to dense swelling of the soft tissues, there is a thickening and coarsening of the skin of the legs, as well as its brown staining due to the deposition of hemosiderin. Confirmation of the diagnosis is carried out according to the results of lymphoscintigraphy.

Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluid accumulates in the tissues due to problems with the lymphatic vessels, as well as after the removal of the lymph nodes. Left untreated, lymphatic congestion prevents skin blemishes from healing and can contribute to the infection of wounds and ulcers. Such edema often appears after the removal of lymph nodes in the inguinal region or after irradiation of cancer patients.

Rare causes of leg swelling

This group of causes includes metabolic disorders that change the plasma oncotic pressure mainly due to acute or chronic losses of various protein fractions.

• Starvation, enteropathy

Enteropathies in chronic enteritis, Crohn's disease, Hirschsprung's disease, beriberi disrupt absorption processes. Against the background of atrophy of the villi of the mucosa and frequent stools, there is insufficient absorption of the protein and its significant transient losses, which leads to dysproteinemic edema. A similar picture is also observed with prolonged fasting, as well as inadequate rehydration therapy against the background.

• Hypothyroidism

Myxedema is the result of an extreme drop in thyroid hormone levels. That is, it is, in which the metabolic processes of proteins are disturbed, mucin and albumins accumulate in the intercellular space, and water flows along a pressure gradient. Myxedema is characterized by dense (“mucous”) edema, in which a fossa does not form when pressed. In addition, patients have dry skin, brittle hair and nails, prolapse of the outer edge of the eyebrows, swelling of the face, lethargy and drowsiness.

• Restrictive pericarditis and

These diseases occur with the development of excess connective tissue in the myocardium and the cavity of the pericardial sac, which disrupts blood flow and leads to congestive heart failure, in the program of which edema of the feet appears.

• Congenital malformations of the veins and iliac vein syndrome are the most rare causes of swelling in the legs due to venous insufficiency.

Why do legs swell in the evening

During the day, the heart pumps blood from the center to the periphery. In all cases, when venous return is difficult, part of the blood does not have time to return to the cardiac chambers and the plasma leaks into the intercellular space, lingering in the tissues. Therefore, by the evening the legs swell and heaviness appears in them. If in the morning it was possible to put on narrow shoes without difficulty, then after spending the whole day on your feet, you can not fit into dress shoes.

Why do women have swollen legs

A large number of women have edematous syndrome associated with the peculiarities of the hormonal cycle.

• At the same time, swelling of the legs can develop as in menstruating ladies in the program of premenstrual syndrome against the background of a drop in the level of progestins.
• and in women in menopause or postmenopause, as idiopathic edema.
• Idiopathic edema is characterized by water retention in the legs, arms and face in an upright position. Puffiness is combined with a depressive syndrome and an increase in body weight.
• Legs swell after childbirth in cases where pregnancy provoked the development of venous insufficiency or caused phlebothrombosis or thrombophlebitis.

Causes of swelling of the legs in men

• The main cause of leg edema in men is chronic venous insufficiency, which most often has a family character.
• In addition, swelling of the legs can occur with prolonged static load or heavy physical work against the background of large fluid losses through sweat.
• According to the same mechanism, the legs swell in the summer in the heat with insufficient drinking load, tight shoes or playing sports.

The second variant of non-pathological edema or pastosity is edema of a forced position, when water flows into those areas that are most susceptible to gravity. This phenomenon is observed in wheelchair users who are forced to sit with their motionless legs lowered all day.

Swelling of the legs is far from a harmless symptom. If it appears, first of all it is worth contacting a surgeon or therapist for a competent diagnosis of its causes. It is extremely wrong to resort to various folk methods, such as cabbage leaves or cold baths, until all the circumstances that accompany swelling are clarified. If the legs are very swollen, the cause may be hidden not only in the state of the vascular bed, but also in systemic diseases of vital organs.

Situations are known when swelling of the legs is a normal reaction of the body to stress: flights, high weight, pregnancy, severe physical exercise. Heaviness and swelling of the legs at the end of the working day is a common nuisance for office workers who do not have the necessary physical activity.

According to statistics, more than half of employees experience leg problems that worsen at the end of the day. In women, the predisposition to edema is much higher than in men due to hormonal levels and addiction to uncomfortable, but beautiful shoes. Many perceive puffiness as a common phenomenon that passes overnight, making a mistake of perceiving the fact. At the first signs, it is required to identify the causes of swelling of the legs and eliminate it.

Causes of swelling of the legs

Flat feet. The disease overtakes people who spend the whole day on their feet, and people who lack the load on the muscles and joints of the legs. Weakened muscles stop working normally, the foot gradually becomes flat. Weakened muscles interfere with the normal removal of fluid from the tissues; Incorrectly chosen shoes. Excessively tight or too spacious shoes lead to swelling of the feet at the end of the day. A similar process is favored by wearing high-heeled shoes during sedentary work. A hairpin in combination with heavy legs becomes a source of serious injury. Uncomfortable shoes become a catalyst for the development of flat feet. After choosing the right and comfortable shoes, in most cases, the swelling disappears; Varicose veins veins, or thrombophlebitis. If the disease develops, edema will be the first symptom that cannot be ignored. It is easy to detect a predisposition to varicose veins: veins visible to the naked eye, vascular networks warn of the imminent appearance of edema, heaviness and pain. In some cases, edema can signal developing arthrosis. Only a professional has the right to prescribe treatment, folk remedies and physical education will become assistants in the main treatment; Failure of the heart or kidneys.

If the causes of edema lie in the work of internal organs, this is determined upon careful examination:

If the kidneys do not work properly, the edema will affect the back of the legs, individual traces of swelling are noticeable on the eyelids; In case of intestinal diseases, edema is accompanied by stool disorders; If the heart does not function properly, the edema becomes bilateral, pronounced in the evening and affects the feet and upstream tissues; In case of hormonal failure, the legs swell mainly at the bottom of the leg.

Difficulties with the lower leg

The source of edema will help you decide what to do next, what methods to improve your health.

Exercises to strengthen the leg muscles

If the cause of the heaviness of the legs is weak muscles, the muscles are strengthened by performing simple exercises:

In a horizontal position, make leg movements - “scissors”; Stand on the shoulder blades - “birch”; “Bicycle”; Strengthening the press; Strengthening the chest muscles with exercises with dumbbells.

You will need to strengthen the muscles of the legs and other muscles involved in the outflow of lymph. With regular exercise, the condition of the legs will begin to improve, swelling will appear less frequently. Any regular exercise has a positive effect.

Hygiene procedures for swelling of the legs

It is possible to quickly improve the condition of the legs after a hard day and sedentary work, it is possible to reduce swelling by taking a bath with sea salt and any essential oil. If there is no varicose veins, it is possible to arrange contrast baths: 4 min. hot water and 10 sec in cold.

After the bath, you need to dry your feet well with vigorous massage movements from the foot to the knee. Then massage the legs with tingling movements for 5 minutes, complete the massage with soothing stroking movements.

Medicines for swollen feet

It will be possible to accelerate the outflow of fluid with medicinal plants: decoctions of birch buds, linden flowers and horsetail. Two st. l. Pour boiling water over herbs, take 1 tbsp. after food. Herbs have a pronounced diuretic effect, are not used in case of improper functioning of the kidneys.

Alcoholic infusions of herbs are used to wipe the feet. Before the start of the course, a doctor's consultation is required. In pharmacies, there are ready-made herbal preparations to strengthen the vessels of the legs in convenient filter bags for brewing.

Well strengthens the walls of blood vessels and prevents swelling of the infusion of garlic (pour the head of garlic with boiling water, leave for a day). The product should be wiped with feet and left until completely absorbed.

The use of replaceable shoes at any time of the year is shown. It is important to have one pair with soft soles without heels. The type of shoes must fit. Excessively narrow shoes impede blood supply, wide shoes force you to tighten your fingers, provoking swelling; If swelling occurs, before the cause is eliminated, it is possible to wear compression stockings that improve blood circulation, correctly distribute the load on the legs, and help the heart work;

Compression stockings

Limiting the intake of salt and liquids (especially coffee) after 6 pm, at work, try to drink unsweetened drinks and herbal teas (lingonberry, chamomile). Don't limit yourself to pure drinking water Moisture helps the body get rid of excess salts. An increased amount of salt is often found in office lunches; by the end of the day, swelling increases. It is better to prefer light salads seasoned with oil and cereals; You need to diversify the diet, add vegetables and fruits, greens, natural juices; Avoid excess weight gain that worsens the situation; It is supposed to analyze the medications taken that can show side effects associated with fluid retention in the body Change the position of the legs more often, at every opportunity to get up for a short walk. It is especially dangerous to sit cross-legged for a long time. This position is a real trigger for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis; With mild swelling, pharmacy and cosmetic ointments, gels for the legs help. Sometimes they provide invaluable assistance in the treatment of edema, working with the symptoms and causes. The active ingredient in many ointments is heparin. Prevents blood clotting, used during heart surgery;

Ointment for sore feet

In the evening, you can put a pillow under your feet, helping the swelling to dissolve. The pillow can be left overnight. At work, it is useful to put a low stand under your feet (10 cm is enough); It is better to make up for the lack of activity after a hard day by walking, visiting the pool.

If during work it is not possible to get up, you need to do light exercises without leaving your workplace, remaining in a sitting position:

bend and unbend the feet at the ankle, without lowering the legs to the floor - 20-30 times; walking in place, without lifting the socks off the floor - 3-4 minutes; strain and relax the muscles of the thighs, keeping the legs on weight - 15-20 times; if work allows you to take off your shoes, it is useful to train to lift a pencil from the floor with your toes; spread and squeeze your toes; rub your shins with your hands; rotate your feet clockwise and vice versa.

When sitting on a chair for a long time, it is useful to simply bend and unbend your legs more often. Do not try to do more exercises than the specified amount. Effectively repeat the lesson every 30-60 minutes.

The modern lifestyle does not allow people to get enough physical activity. Sedentary work, public transport, long traffic jams, rest at a computer or TV lead to disruption of the body. Lightness in the legs is not only a guarantee of their beauty, but a sign of inner health. The appearance of puffiness is discomfort and loss of aesthetics, an important signal of the difficulties of the body.

Ignoring swelling, heaviness, a feeling of rumble in the legs, it will turn out to aggravate the violation to convulsions and thrombophlebitis. With proper and quick treatment, it is really possible to avoid serious diseases, restore beauty and grace to the legs.

The legs swell when sitting with an increase in the load on the venous wall. This is observed both in the defeat of only vessels, and in systemic pathology of the heart and kidneys. Perhaps the development of complications in the form of vein thrombosis or embolism of the main vessels. Prophylactic treatment required long stay in a sitting position.

If the legs swell while sitting, this is the first sign of vascular diseases of the lower extremities. A visual change in the usual outlines of a limb, a feeling of fullness and burning, depressed stripes from socks or golfs - all this suggests some serious problems in the body. To take the necessary measures, you must first figure out what is the mechanism of swelling of the legs during prolonged sitting.

The wall of venous vessels, both small and large, does not have a muscular layer. That is why it cannot contract on its own (like arterial vessels), but only undergoes distant contractions as a result of a contractile wave from the heart. The reverse movement of blood through the veins is prevented by special valves. These anatomical and functional abilities contribute to the formation of congestion in the venous bed. This is manifested not only by the fact that the legs swell, but also by much more serious violations.

Reasons for development

Slowing blood flow leads to increased thrombosis. A blood clot can be fixed on the vein wall and not cause any inconvenience. However, an increase in thrombus is possible, a gradual decrease in the lumen up to a complete blockage of the venous vessel. The consequence of this is thrombosis of deep (less often superficial) veins of the extremities or thrombophlebitis (development of inflammatory changes in a clogged vessel).

It is also possible to detach a thrombus from the vessel wall and circulate it with the blood flow throughout the human body. In this case, a thrombus can clog any vessel of any organ. As a result, a heart attack, stroke, thromboembolism of the mesenteric vessels, pulmonary embolism and other similar diseases develop.

In rare cases, such changes are observed in an absolutely healthy organism. As a rule, the following conditions and predisposing factors contribute to the insufficiency of the venous wall and increased thrombus formation:

systemic metabolic disorders - obesity, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus; hereditary predisposition; valvular heart disease with symptoms of heart failure; female.

The above factors trigger pathological mechanisms that lead to swelling of the legs and the formation of blood clots when an additional load occurs. This can be observed in the following situations:

long (without breaks) work at a desk or computer of bank and other office employees; long driving in a car (without stops); long air travel, especially if the distance between the seats is small (the so-called "economy class syndrome").

Features of manifestations

It is far from always that a person needs to worry if his legs swell. In the case when there are no visible changes in the skin and general condition, it is enough to properly organize the regime of work and rest and the lower limbs will stop swelling.

If the legs swell, as well as their visual changes (darkening of the skin, bruising or vascular pattern), sensations of heaviness in the legs and burning sensations that do not disappear after resting in a horizontal position, then you should consult a phlebologist (or ordinary surgeon). At this stage, with the help of compression underwear and certain medications, it is possible to achieve long-term compensation of venous insufficiency and stop its progression.

With the appearance of acute pain in the leg, especially against the background of swelling of the limb, an immediate medical consultation is required to exclude (or confirm) acute thrombosis.

Prevention and treatment

For the first time, a person noticed that his legs swell when he sits for a long time, some details of his lifestyle need to be changed and, perhaps, the problem will disappear spontaneously. You need to do the following:

wear only comfortable and proportionate shoes with low (“Viennese”) heels: create good habit get up from the workplace every hour and do a little physical warm-up (rotation of the feet, wiggling the fingers); do not consume large amounts of liquids and salty foods; lead an active lifestyle in your free time: walk more or go to the gym.

These are not always simple rules doable and effective. With an increase in clinical signs of venous insufficiency, you should visit a doctor. The following medical recommendations are possible:

course use (or, if necessary, with an increase in symptoms) of ointments that improve venous blood flow (troxevasin, heparin ointment, essaven gel); drugs that thin the blood (aspirin, troxevasin, chimes); constant wearing of compression underwear or bandaging of the legs.

An elastic bandage is wound around the leg from the bottom up (from the toes to the thigh) with some tension (for sufficient effectiveness and to prevent slipping). In the evening, the bandage is removed, the night's sleep passes without it. Such bandaging prevents excessive expansion of the veins and congestion.

Compression knitwear (tights, stockings or socks) are more comfortable and reliable. Dress in the supine position before getting up from the morning bed, removed at night. The effect is the same as bandaging: swelling and stagnation of blood in the venous vessels decreases, increased thrombus formation stops to a certain extent. The type of compression underwear and the degree of compression should be agreed with the doctor.

There is a surgical treatment for chronic venous insufficiency: sclerotherapy and removal of veins. Dilated veins are either removed or blocked with a special substance (sclerotherapy), the blood flow in them stops. The blood circulation of the leg is provided with the help of other, not damaged vessels.

Edema is not a disease, then why do the legs swell? This is a physiological reaction and a manifestation of various pathological conditions. The most common causes of swollen ankles and lower legs are circulatory disorders. Often the legs swell in pregnant women, overweight people, and injuries. At the initial stages, mainly aesthetic problems arise.

If nothing is done, then swollen lower limbs create more and more obstacles in daily activities. Diseases that are characterized by persistent swelling are serious and require drug therapy. Consider the most common causes and treatments.

Physiological edema is more easily tolerated when in the heat, after a long standing, there is a feeling of heaviness in the ankles. The legs swell more strongly in the evening and at night. The toes and upper part of the foot swell, pain, tingling and fullness in the calves appear. After rest, the condition returns to normal.
The ankles and lower legs swell in 20% of the population due to pathologies of the venous or lymphatic systems. With swelling of the legs of various origins, specific symptoms may differ. Manifestations also depend on the load on the lower extremities, time of day, stage of the disease.
What is swelling of the legs, what symptoms accompany this condition:

1. Fluid is retained in the tissues of the lower extremities.
2. There is heaviness, stiffness in the ankles.
3. There is a feeling of tension, pain in the legs.
4. At the end of the day or at night, cramps in the calf muscles may begin.

How to determine why the legs begin to swell? It is necessary to pay attention to the combination of signs. You should be wary if the ankles and lower legs remain swollen after rest, the skin becomes thinner, acquires a blue tint. Many people know how dangerous any swelling of the legs is. The combination with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations is characteristic of a blood clot in the vessels of the lungs.

Why do legs swell

The causes of swelling of the lower extremities are varied. These can be vascular and heart diseases, in which blood or lymphatic fluid accumulates, presses on the vascular walls. In these cases, the legs swell because the molecules leave the vessel in the surrounding tissue. Some diseases lead to an increase in the permeability of the walls of the veins, the accumulation of water in the body.

Persistent swelling in the legs, their causes and treatment are best discussed with the therapist. The specialist will pay attention to the fact that the ankles and lower legs swell strongly on only one limb. If necessary, the therapist will refer to the phlebologist. With bilateral swelling, they also turn to a cardiologist.

Under what diseases and conditions do the lower limbs swell:

• thrombophlebitis, CVI, varicose veins;
• protein deficiency (hypoproteinemia);
• kidney failure;
• hormonal imbalance;
• allergic reactions;
• heart disease;
• diabetes;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• lymphedema;
• injury.

A possible reason why the legs began to swell is the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space, due to impaired lymphatic drainage. This happens with malformations of the lymphatic vessels, bacterial, fungal or viral infections.

Depending on the reason different kinds swelling of the legs is characterized as cardiac, venous, allergic, medicinal, etc. The protein variety is a sign of malnutrition, alcohol abuse. Various parts of the body swell with cirrhosis, since the liver plays an important role in metabolism. Other causative factors: hypovitaminosis, deficiency minerals.

Legs swell after eating due to protein malabsorption due to chronic inflammatory bowel disease or gluten intolerance. If the level of albumin decreases, then the fluid accumulates between the cells in the tissues.

In diabetes, the lower extremities often swell, hence the name “diabetic foot”. This is a typical symptom of persistently high blood sugar and vascular damage. Taking modern drugs and controlling glucose levels can avoid amputation of fingers or the entire foot.

Wearing shoes with high heels is accompanied by the appearance of edema of the feet and legs. The fingers are compressed, the veins are overloaded, muscle contractions increase, the load on the bones increases. Not only the lower limbs swell, but the joints are also erased.

Thyroid disorders

A severe manifestation of an endocrine disorder is thyroid myxedema. There is swelling of the legs, face, arms and legs. The skin becomes pale and dry, with pressure on the swollen area, the dents do not remain.

The primary reason that the legs swell is inflammation, tumor or other pathology of the thyroid gland. As a result, the production of hormones that affect metabolic processes, digestion, the functions of the nervous, cardiovascular and other organ systems is reduced. Initial symptoms include slow heart rate, constipation, hair loss, and weight loss.

Medical swelling of the legs

Water retention in the tissues of the foot and ankle is a side effect of medication. If one or both legs are swollen, then drugs that change the concentration of proteins and minerals in the body may be the cause. Some drugs disrupt the water-salt balance, making it difficult to remove fluid from the tissues.

The limbs may swell when taking the following medications:

• drugs for the treatment of hypertension: diuretics, calcium channel blockers;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs or NSAIDs);
• hormonal drugs, estrogen-containing contraceptives;
• corticosteroids (glucocorticoids, corticosteroids);
• antidiabetic agents.
• antidepressants.

Diuretics are diuretics that stimulate the excretion of salt and water by the kidneys. Often there are swelling of the legs with an independent change in dosages. Then, instead of removing the liquid, the reverse process occurs.

Rheumatism and rheumatic heart disease

With rheumatism, dryness of the skin, coldness and blueness of the extremities are noted. The joints of the legs swell more strongly in the morning with a combination of cardiac insufficiency with the development of nephrotic syndrome. Medication does not help relieve symptoms.

It is important not only to know why, but also to observe how the legs swell in the morning with rheumatism. Usually the ankles or knees are affected symmetrically, the lymph nodes are enlarged. Characteristic signs are "wandering" pain in the joints of the legs in the ankles and knees, fever.

Rheumocarditis - damage to the heart muscle as a result of infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. This is the main causative agent of angina in adults and children over 3 years old. Heart disease can cause various parts of the body to swell.

Thrombophlebitis

Phlebitis - inflammation of superficial veins. A more accurate name for the disease is thrombophlebitis. The inflammatory process develops in the wall of the vein, a blood clot may form (not necessarily). The lower extremities swell, sensitivity to touch appears, hardening along the affected vessel.

Phlebitis develops as a result of improper blood sampling or the installation of a catheter for the introduction of solutions, with injuries and insect bites. More often, the legs swell down due to inflammation of the vein, if there is already a varicose vein. There are many other reasons, for example, an increased tendency to coagulate and slow blood flow, a hereditary predisposition to thrombosis.

Other platelets continue to settle around the blood clot. The lumen of the vein is blocked, blood is diverted through other vessels, which creates increased pressure. Among the consequences of this process are varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Leg swelling due to heart failure

Edema of cardiac origin is distinguished by a number of features. The skin becomes thinner, becomes dense, "varnished". Severe swelling of the feet and ankles, heaviness in the legs appear in hot weather. Weakness is felt, the heartbeat quickens, shortness of breath appears at rest. After pressing on the edematous part of the foot, a deep dent remains, the skin is slowly restored.

In diseases of the cardiovascular system, heart failure, the right atrium does not create a full suction force. Initially, thickening of the feet and ankles is observed only in the evening, shoes become tight. Then the pressure in the vessels rises, blood stagnation occurs, the lower limbs swell more strongly. Fluid also accumulates in the lower abdomen.

Changes in blood circulation lead to heart rhythm disturbance, loss of sensation and numbness of the extremities. Pathological processes usually develop imperceptibly for a person for a long time. Characteristic symptoms appear even when there is a serious illness.

Venous insufficiency

In the body, fluids are located inside the cells, in the intercellular spaces and in the vessels. With venous disorders, blood stagnates in the limbs. Additional portions of the liquid penetrate into the surrounding tissues.

Under what interrelated conditions and diseases of the veins do the legs swell:

• chronic venous insufficiency;
• phlebeurysm;
• deep vein thrombosis;
• phlebitis.

Chronic insufficiency is often preceded by thrombosis of superficial veins, sometimes blood circulation in the arteries is disturbed. Swelling of the legs below, in the foot, and lower legs in men with dysfunction of the venous valves. This is noticeable by the dents from the gum of the socks on the skin. Vascular cobwebs and nets of red, blue or purple color appear.

The cause of swollen legs in the ankles in women is also CVI. Risk factors are hormonal changes, pregnancy, overweight, muscle weakness.

Increase the risk of venous disease:

• hereditary predisposition to varicose veins;
• insufficient physical activity;
• age over 50;
• sedentary work;
• pregnancy.

At further development CVI edema persists in the daytime, pain, itching join. The skin often takes on a reddish color with a blue-violet tint. The tissues can become inflamed, ulcers appear in the ankles and shins.

Liver disease

The initial stages of hepatitis, fatty degeneration and cirrhosis are asymptomatic. There are no pain receptors in the liver, it is able to function while maintaining only 20% of hepatocytes.

Why do the legs swell if the liver is affected? The organ cleans the blood coming through the portal vein. When the parenchyma is replaced with connective tissue, stagnation occurs, pressure in the venous system increases, blood flow in the lower extremities worsens.

Why can the legs and abdomen swell below? A diseased liver is unable to produce proteins, enzymes and hormones necessary for normal metabolism. Reduced binding and excretion of water. More fluid accumulates in the lower extremities and abdominal cavity.

endocrinopathy

Swelling of the legs below in the area of ​​​​the foot and lower leg with pathologies of the endocrine glands, hormonal and metabolic disorders. Common endocrinopathies are manifested by an increase in individual parts of the body and internal organs, muscle weakness and fatigue. A rare hormonal disease - Cushing's syndrome - is also accompanied by swelling of the lower extremities.

Diabetes contributes to the development of thrombosis and swelling of the soles of the feet, which is the cause of the death of leg tissues and requires surgical treatment. High blood sugar is dangerous for capillaries and larger vessels. Blood pressure rises, atherosclerosis increases. Edema is also caused by diabetes-related kidney disease.

Renal pathology

There are several reasons why legs swell in the morning: glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, urinary tract infections. With these kidney diseases, metabolism is disturbed, the water-salt balance, hormonal levels, and blood pressure change.

Minor swellings of the feet appear as an early symptom, later they spread to the thigh. Lower back pain, hypertension are added. Permanent swelling in the legs occurs as a result of fluid accumulation in chronic renal failure.

Metabolic diseases such as gout can cause kidney pathology. Various factors eventually lead to nephrotic syndrome, which causes persistent swelling of the face and legs and requires long-term treatment.

Injuries

If your legs are swollen after sunbathing and sunburn, then the cause is chemical and physical irritation of the vascular walls. The defensive reaction is that more fluid from the veins is released into the surrounding tissues.

Tissues swell due to damage to the venous and / or lymphatic vessels during operations, injuries. The tumor increases with increased load on the lower limbs after sprains, dislocations, fractures. The appearance of thickening can be caused by severe pathologies that require surgical intervention.

Can the legs swell with a hernia of the spine and vertebrae? Symptoms depend on which department is affected. Pathologies of the lumbar spine affect the vessels of the lower extremities to the greatest extent.

allergic reactions

Exposure to a chemical or other irritant is the reason why the legs, hands, lips or eyelids are swollen sharply. An increase in the size of individual organs manifests acute angioedema (Quincke). The skin remains pale or reddens, itching occurs.

If a child has swollen feet, then the cause may be immediate-type allergic reactions to drugs, insect bites, food, pollen and plant sap. What causes spots and blisters on the legs, why does angioedema occur in adults? The most prone to such reactions are people with a hereditary predisposition to allergies.

The development of acute respiratory failure occurs more often with edema on the face, compared with swelling of the legs or arms. If the patient is not helped, then this condition can lead to death.

Varicose disease

Significantly more often the legs swell in the foot area with varicose veins in women. At first, the deterioration of the condition of the veins is almost not felt. By the evening heaviness and swelling of the ankles appear. Muscle pain increases with prolonged sitting or standing, walking. "Knots" protrude under the skin of the legs.

Varicose veins become a natural result of a decrease in the elasticity of the venous wall. At the same time, the valves inside the vessel are deformed. Usually these processes increase in middle and old age. At risk are patients with endocrine disorders, overweight.

There is a "zero" stage of varicose veins or phlebopathy. This is "varicose veins without varicose veins". Bluish veins are not visible, but heaviness and pain are already felt at the end of the day. An objective examination also does not reveal pathology in the vascular wall.

The cause of the progression of varicose veins, when edema appears, dense blue knots on the legs, is the process of tissue aging throughout life. Congenital predisposition to this disease is less common.

Gout

Chronic disease is caused by metabolic disorders. There is an increased breakdown of proteins against the background of a decrease in the ability of the kidneys to excrete uric acid. Crystals are deposited in the tissues, numbness of the legs is felt, swelling occurs.

Lymphedema

Do you get swollen fingers, back of the foot, ankle on one or both feet when you sit on a long ride? This is how disorders in the lymphatic system manifest themselves. In primary lymphedema, swelling in the legs is the result of excessive accumulation and difficulty in the outflow of lymph from the vessels. Without treatment, the tumor increases from the periphery to the center, the limb becomes shapeless.

Treatment Methods

If the legs swell for a long period of time, then the patient needs to visit a doctor and carefully follow the recommendations of a specialist. Varicose veins will require the use of some medications and procedures, allergies or gout - others. The doctor will explain how to remove swelling in the legs, how to avoid complications.

All directions are important: pathogenetic therapy, elimination of the most severe consequences and alleviation of the symptoms of the disease. Treatment of diseases in which the legs swell should always be based on getting rid of the causes.

The doctor conducts an initial examination, a thorough history taking. Blood tests, ultrasound are prescribed, less often - computer and magnetic resonance imaging. An allergy test will reveal possible reasons unusual reaction. Some signs indicate that limbs swell due to oncology. Then a tissue sample is taken.

Medications

Various medicinal substances for swelling of the legs in vascular diseases are contained in ointments, gels and solutions for application to the skin. In more serious cases, oral tablets are prescribed. If the lower limbs swell and hurt, then apply anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments.

Complex therapy of varicose veins:

• compression products (knee socks, stockings);
• microcirculation correctors;
• angioprotectors;
• phlebotonics.

External remedies are most effective when the lower limbs are just beginning to swell in the early stages of the disease. Medicines normalize the tone of the veins, reduce their permeability and fragility. Thanks to the use of venotonic drugs (phlebotonics), heaviness in the feet, arching pains in the legs disappear.

You can quickly eliminate pain and minor swelling with the help of ointments and gels Lyoton 1000, Troxevasin, Trombless and others with a similar mechanism of action. The method of application is very simple - apply the product and rub into the skin over the affected veins.

What medicines and dietary supplements for oral administration should be taken if the limbs swell with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency:

• Phlebodia 600, Flebofa, Venarus, Detralex;
• Troxerutin, Troxevasin, Ginkor forte;
• Askorutin, Venoruton;
• Venoplant, Aescusan;
• Capillary.

The medicine for swelling of the legs is taken orally to reduce capillary permeability, improve venous circulation. The effect appears within 1-2 months.

The diuretic Veroshpiron helps with edema caused by heart failure, hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, lack of magnesium and potassium. The active ingredient is spironolactone. When a doctor prescribes Veroshpiron for swelling of the legs, how to take the pills should be clarified immediately. Dosages for various diseases differ significantly.

Diuretics

Drugs in this group are prescribed only for medical reasons. Diuretics for swelling of the legs increase the excretion of fluid through the kidneys. Diuretics bind water and salts, improve drainage, and reduce swelling.

The short period of action of the drugs Lazex and Furosemide, they are prescribed in emergency situations. Prolonged diuretic effect of Hypothiazid. Verospiron and Aldactone are considered the least harmful to the body. Diuretics provide temporary relief and are used for a limited time.

Treatment at home

Ointments help if the feet and legs swell, and do not have a harmful effect on the internal organs. Such funds are most often used at home. Swelling of the legs, which has arisen against the background of an injury or varicose veins, is treated with Troxevasin gel. Analogues: Troxerutin and Troxevenol.

Heparin products prevent congestion venous blood in blood vessels and thrombus formation. These are Dolobene and Heparin ointments, Lyoton cream for swelling of the legs.

How to treat swelling of the legs with inflammation of the vessels and rheumatism? You can apply ointments with ibuprofen, diclofenac, nimesulide (Ketoprofen, Diclak-gel). In the evening, a light massage is done to help improve the outflow of blood and lymph.

Antihistamine tablets and syrups, medicated liquids, a solution for intravenous administration help with swelling of the legs of allergic origin. Also, antiallergic treatment is prescribed in cases where the legs not only swell, but also peel and crack.

Decoctions and infusions of plants for oral administration:

• infusion of lingonberry leaves, bearberry;
• fruit drink from cranberries and lingonberries;
• carrot juice;
• green tea;

Honey is added to ready-made infusions, which binds excess liquid. Diuretic fees contain parsley, calendula, mountain ash. Folk remedies often powerless against the cause of the disease, so they supplement drug therapy.

Simple anti-puffiness exercises

The alpha and omega for maintaining health is reasonable physical activity. The simplest exercises for swelling in the legs: changing the position of the body and limbs, walking, walking during lunch breaks and in the evening.

Enhance the effect of treating swelling of the legs by rotating or moving up and down the fingers and feet, transferring the weight of the body from toe to heel and vice versa. Maintains blood vessels in good shape effective exercise- stretching the feet (can be performed sitting and lying down).

Prevention of swelling of the legs

You should always take precautions that will allow you to keep the elasticity of the vessels longer. In order not to develop swelling of the legs, it is necessary to avoid narrow shoes, tight clothing. Direct sunlight, overheating and hypothermia, alcohol can also cause limbs to swell.

If the legs swell, which doctor should I contact? Make an appointment with a therapist, phlebologist, dermatologist. Further consultations of other specialists may be required. It is better to entrust the choice of medicines and procedures to the doctor. Only a doctor will be able to determine the disease and prescribe adequate treatment.

If the swelling of the legs is not running, then the prognosis is good. Treatment is usually long, so persistence and patience are required. Those who have swollen legs should use ointments that improve the condition of the vessels. It is equally important to get rid of the cause against which edema develops. It is better if the treatment of the disease is complex, combining medications, exercises, water procedures and folk recipes.