Swelling of the legs is usually caused by fluid buildup, which usually worsens at the end of the day and as the person ages due to poor circulation.
However, swollen legs may also be the result of inflammation due to bumps or illness, but usually in these cases, swelling is accompanied by severe pain and difficulty moving the leg, for example.
- For example.
- It is important to consult a family doctor whenever leg swelling does not improve overnight or cause very severe pain.
- As this may be a symptom of a health problem that needs to be treated appropriately.
The most common type of leg swelling is due to fluid buildup, which can be caused by:
Standing for a long time during the day or sitting for several hours, especially with crossed legs, makes it difficult to work with the veins in your legs to bring blood to your heart, so that blood builds up in your legs, increasing swelling throughout your body.Day.
What to do: Avoid standing for more than 2 hours standing or sitting, taking small breaks to stretch and move your legs, plus at the end of the day you can also massage your legs or lift them above heart level.to facilitate circulation.
Pregnancy is one of the main causes of leg swelling in women between the ages of 20 and 40, as at this stage of a woman’s life there is an increase in the amount of blood in the body, in addition to the growth of the uterus.It also prevents the circulation of blood in the legs, favoring their accumulation, especially after the 5th month of pregnancy.
What to do: It is recommended to wear socks and make light walks during the day to promote blood circulation, in addition, each time the woman is seated or lying down she must lift her legs with a pillow or bench, for example.more tips for relieving swollen legs during pregnancy.
Swelling of the legs is more common in the elderly because with age, the valves in the veins of the legs, which help the blood circulate, weaken, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart and build up in the legs.
What to do: Avoid sitting or standing for a long time, taking short breaks during the day to lift your legs.In addition, when the swelling is very severe, it may be necessary to consult your family doctor and investigate other causes of swelling of your legs, such as high blood pressure, and thus take medications to help remove excess fluid, such as furosemide, for example.
Certain medications, such as birth control pills, medications used to treat diabetes, certain high blood pressure medications, pain-relieving medications, or medications used in hormone replacement therapy, for example, can cause water retention and therefore lead to fluid buildup.-up on the legs, increasing swelling.
What to do: Consult the doctor who prescribed the medicine to understand if the swelling is caused by treatment and change the type of medicine, if this is justified and if the benefits outweigh the change in medication.If swelling persists, you should consult your doctor again.
Although this is rarer, some diseases can cause fluid to build up in the legs, such as heart failure, kidney problems or liver disease.
What to do: You should see your GP if other symptoms occur, such as excessive fatigue, pressure changes, changes in urine or abdominal pain, for example, to make the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment.
In the video below, you’ll find some strategies that can help treat swollen legs naturally.Read the steps to successfully run each technique:
Inflammation is the second leading cause of swollen legs, however, in these cases, the swollen leg is accompanied by very severe pain and difficulty moving the affected limb.Major causes of inflammation include:
Strong leg blows, such as a fall or kick during a football match, can cause small blood vessels to rupture and inflammation of the legs; in these cases, swelling is accompanied by severe pain in the area, a black spot, redness and heat, for example.
What to do: Apply a cold compress to the injured area to reduce swelling and relieve pain and, if the pain does not improve or disappear after 1 week, you should consult an orthopedist.
Arthritis is the most common inflammation of the joints in the elderly, which can cause swelling of the legs, especially in places with joints, such as knee, ankle or hip, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as pain, deformity and difficulty making movements See more symptoms of arthritis.
What to do: an anti-inflammatory ointment may be applied to relieve swelling and pain, but ideally consult a rheumatologist to diagnose the problem and start appropriate treatment, which can be done with medication, physiotherapy and, in some cases more severe, surgery may be necessary.
Another common cause of leg inflammation is the appearance of small bone fractures in this area, especially in patients with osteoporosis or serious leg injuries.These small fractures usually do not cause severe pain such as a normal fracture, nor can they be seen naked.Eye.
What to do: You should see an orthopedist if you’ve suffered a very heavy blow and if you have severe swelling and pain, if you have osteoporosis, if the swelling hasn’t improved a week after a milder blow, or if the pain worsens an extraordinary time.
Cellulite is an infection of cells in the deepest layers of the skin and usually occurs when you have an infection in your leg. The most common symptoms, in addition to swelling, include severe redness, fever above 38 degrees Celsius, and very severe pain.Learn about the causes and how to treat infectious cellulite.
What to do: Go to the emergency room if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours to diagnose the problem and start appropriate treatment, which is usually done with antibiotics.
Lower limb thrombosis can occur at any age, but it is more common in the elderly and people with a family history, and can be triggered by other factors such as clotting problems, spending a lot of time with a stationary limb, consuming cigarettes, being pregnant or even using contraceptives, especially in women with bleeding problems.
In addition to swelling of a leg, which begins quickly, deep vein thrombosis can also cause severe pain, difficulty moving the leg, and redness.Here’s how to identify deep vein thrombosis.
What to do: It is advisable to seek an emergency service to be evaluated, if tests are requested to discover the cause of thrombosis and be medicated as soon as possible, avoiding complications.