Swollen Legs: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Swelling of the legs may not be a good sign especially if you are diagnosed with any heart condition and if you are pregnant. This is one sign that you would definitely need to seek medical attention as soon as possible. There are certain causes why your legs will swell up, and it’s always good to know them:
- Injury and blunt force in the area: If you got yourself injured and if you bruised yourself in the leg area, it would usually result to swelling. It is due to the compensatory mechanism of the body during the process of inflammation.Swelling, redness, and pain would likely be the situation you would be in.
- Fluid shifting: Usually swollen legs would end up being edematous. Edema is usually known and referred to as the fluid shift from the vascular spaces to the interstitial spaces. Edema can usually be differentiated from swelling due to injury. Edematous extremities when pressed would leave an indent.
- It may also be caused by kidney failure. The filtration function of the kidney is impaired. Hence there is imbalance in the homeostasis of the fluid balance in the vascular spaces and interstitial spaces.
Remedies for leg Swelling
- If the swelling is due to blunt trauma and injury, application of cold compress would be the best thing to do. The cold temperature decreases the swelling. It can also numb the pain.
- If the swelling is due to the fluid shift of an individual due to any particular health condition, the best remedy for this is to elevate the affected part.
- Moving around, walking around, and exercise would also relieve and treat leg swelling. If you remain stagnant in a position especially sitting position, the fluid will only rush in and remain stagnant in the lower extremities. Hence you can observe that your feet will be wide and your legs huge.
Preventing Swelling of Legs
- Observe a healthy living lifestyle. Watch what you eat. Eating too much salty food usually complicates and aggravates this condition. The salt itself, which is a water lover, will attract fluid and cause the fluid shift.
- Exercise daily. The more you exercise, the more the circulation of blood is improved, thus preventing stasis.
- Always bear in mind the risks and limitations when having this condition. If edema or swelling is also present in the facial area, you must seek medical help as well.