A remedy for swollen legs and feet is often hidden right in our homes.
Swelling in the legs is an extremely common occurrence and can occur after prolonged standing or sitting at work, during pregnancy, or as a result of certain health issues.
Swelling causes discomfort and heaviness in the legs, prompting many to search for an effective solution to reduce swelling and leg pain.
While it is usually not a cause for major concern, swelling, in certain cases, requires professional supervision and treatment.
In the following text, you will find out:
- Effective ways to alleviate swelling in the legs
- Whether it is possible to relieve leg swelling during pregnancy
- How to differentiate between lymphedema and benign leg swelling
- When it is necessary to seek medical advice
One of the most common causes of leg swelling is fluid retention in the body, which can be a result of poor circulation, prolonged standing, excessive salt intake, as well as certain hormonal changes and illnesses.
In addition to this, injuries such as blows, sprains, or fractures can lead to swelling due to inflammation and fluid accumulation at the injury site.
Certain kidney, liver diseases, and heart problems can lead to fluid retention in the body, consequently causing swollen legs and joints.
Moreover, swollen legs and water retention are a common occurrence during pregnancy but in a specific period after childbirth.
When Can Natural Remedies for Leg Swelling Be Applied?
In most cases, leg swelling resolves spontaneously. If it doesn't, you can independently apply a natural remedy for swollen legs, and its application is often sufficient to reduce swelling.
However, in certain cases, leg swelling can be a sign of a serious health condition that requires professional supervision and treatment.
These conditions include venous insufficiency, thrombosis (blood clot formation), or issues with the lymphatic system.
Additionally, serious conditions such as heart problems, kidney disease, and liver problems can also cause leg swelling.
It is important to note that the independent application of natural remedies is advisable only if the swelling is mild and temporary.
If the swelling persists, increases, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is necessary to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the swelling.
Compresses for swollen legs due to standing or prolonged sitting are an extremely effective way to reduce swelling, and you can make them at home.
Cold compresses can help reduce swelling by constricting blood vessels and reducing inflammation.
Wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in thin fabric or a towel and apply it to the swollen area, then keep it pressed for 15-20 minutes.
The procedure can be repeated as needed, but it is recommended not to place the cold compress directly on the skin to avoid frostbite.
Warm Compresses for Circulation Issues
If you have poor circulation, you can make warm compresses because heat relaxes muscles and improves circulation.
Soak a cotton cloth or towel in warm water, wring it well, and place it on the swollen area, then keep the warm compress for 15-20 minutes. A folk remedy for swelling is cabbage, whose leaves have anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling and inflammation.
Avoid applying compresses to open wounds or damaged skin to prevent infection. To reduce leg swelling, in addition to compresses, leg swelling cream, as well as gel for swollen and heavy legs, can be used.
If you've determined that swollen legs are not associated with serious medical conditions, you can try to alleviate the swelling using natural methods.
Lying on your back with your legs elevated above the level of your heart is a simple and very effective way to prevent fluid retention and regulate swelling in the legs, especially after prolonged standing.
If possible, avoid prolonged sitting without movement, as it can exacerbate swelling. If your job requires hours of sitting, it is recommended to stand up and take a few steps every hour to hour and a half.
Regular physical activity is beneficial; walking and exercises that don't have to be intense can significantly improve circulation and reduce the problem of leg swelling.
High salt intake contributes to fluid retention, so it is desirable to introduce mild changes in your diet, primarily by avoiding the consumption of highly salty foods.
The mentioned methods are suitable only if the cause of the swelling is known and not associated with serious medical conditions.
Compresses for tired and swollen legs are a good choice if you experience the following issues:
- Swollen ankles
- Swollen calves
- Swollen joints in the legs
- Swollen legs after childbirth
- Swollen legs after a cesarean section
- Swollen joints in the legs during pregnancy
- Heavy and swollen legs
- Swelling around the ankle
- Swelling below the knee
- Pain in the leg joint and swelling
When to Seek Professional Help? Treatment for Swollen Legs
Sudden swelling that occurs without an obvious reason, along with swelling accompanied by severe pain or elevated temperature, may indicate serious health problems such as infections or vascular complications.
Swollen legs with shortness of breath may suggest heart problems that require urgent medical assistance.
If you notice changes in skin color, such as redness or bluish discoloration along with swelling, it may indicate a serious circulation issue.
Changes in urinary frequency accompanied by swelling may be a symptom of kidney disease. Additionally, swollen legs in cardiac patients are also very common.
Heart failure and venous insufficiency also have swelling as a symptom and are certainly urgent conditions that require immediate medical help.
In these situations, it is crucial to consult a doctor who will recommend appropriate therapy and swelling treatment.
Swelling of the legs is a common occurrence during pregnancy and after its completion.
Swelling occurs due to increased weight and pressure on blood vessels, slowing down the return of blood from the lower extremities to the heart.
This leads to fluid retention in the legs, and swollen leg joints and swollen toes may also occur. Swelling in the legs is more pronounced in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, and swollen veins on the legs and swollen legs in the 9th month of pregnancy are extremely common.
How to Reduce Leg Swelling During Pregnancy?
There are various tricks to reduce leg swelling during pregnancy. Pregnant women can implement several simple steps to alleviate leg swelling during pregnancy.
Lying on the left side reduces pressure on the inferior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood from the lower body to the heart) and improves circulation.
Moderate physical activity, walking, or swimming improve circulation and help reduce swelling. In addition to physical activity, pregnant women can also practice elevating their legs above the heart level to facilitate blood return to the heart.
Apart from pregnancy, swollen legs after childbirth and swollen legs after a cesarean section are also relatively common occurrences and are not a cause for concern, although they can be uncomfortable.
Lymphedema and benign leg swelling are entirely different medical terms and conditions, although both lead to leg swelling.
Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic flow does not function correctly. Problems in lymphatic flow can be genetically predisposed or a result of infections, injuries, or surgical procedures.
Blockage or damage to the lymphatic vessels leads to the accumulation of lymph and, consequently, swelling.
Edema in lymphedema develops gradually and can progress, increasing over months. Lymphedema is a health condition that requires treatment, and if not properly treated, complications such as reduced leg mobility can occur.
Benign leg swelling develops much faster than lymphedema and predominantly does not cause significant complications, so it can be treated at home.
Lymphedema Treatment at Fizionova Center
If lymphedema is diagnosed during an examination, treatment should begin as soon as possible.
Fizionova Center provides lymphedema treatment using the innovative Protocol 620, which consists of the following therapeutic procedures:
- Hypobaric therapy
- Cryotherapy
- Salus Talent
- MFR (Manual Lymphatic Drainage)
- Gymnna drainage
- Radial waves
- FSWT therapy (Focused Shockwave)
These innovative lymphedema treatment techniques lead to a significant reduction in swelling, and timely treatment will preserve the functionality of the affected region and prevent the occurrence of further complications.
Leg Swelling Can Be Alleviated at Home
Swollen legs and their edema are often entirely harmless occurrences and can be alleviated by simple methods that you can apply independently at home.
However, persistent swelling that does not go away over an extended period, causing discomfort and continues to spread, is a reason to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Thorough treatment can prevent the development of complications, even in situations where a specialist examination reveals the development of lymphedema.
SCHEDULE A PHYSIATRIST'S EXAMINATION
Dr Jelena Kluz-Đurđević, a specialist in physical medicine
After a conversation with the patient, Dr. Jelena will conduct an examination to obtain a more comprehensive view of your health status, helping to determine whether it's an injury or a diagnosis.
The examination lasts for 30 minutes and includes:
Schedule a specialist examination by calling 011 2100 588 for the cost of 4,000 RSD.