5 Reasons Why Legs Swell

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A huge number of people suffer from swelling of the ankles and legs, which can appear as a result of various diseases. Swelling causes discomfort, a feeling of heaviness, and even pain. In this article, we will tell you about the five most common causes of leg swelling, as well as how to get rid of the pain.

The main causes of leg edema

1. Leg swelling can occur with kidney disease and spread to the back of both legs. In this case, the patient doesn't feel any pain, itching, or fever. But the swelling of eyelids and dark circles under the eyes may appear, and the color of urine usually changes. If you noticed these symptoms, it is worth consulting a nephrologist.
2. Edema on the ankles can manifest from diseases of the cardiovascular system. If you have heart problems, the swelling usually becomes more noticeable in the evening. In this case, you feel discomfort from the feet to the abdominal area. All this is accompanied by paleness, fatigue, and increased heart rate.
3. Varicose veins can also be the cause of leg swelling. As with the patients with heart diseases, varicose veins manifest themselves in the evening. They are usually accompanied by heaviness and fatigue in the legs. A foot bath or a contrast shower will help you get rid of puffiness. Hold your feet in hot water for a few minutes and then put them into cold water.
4. The swelling of the lower extremities also manifests from joint diseases. In this case, the blood is slowly circulating and excess fluid accumulates in the joints.
5. An allergy may also be the cause of leg edema. All the symptoms of this disease, including swelling, completely disappear when taking antihistamines.

How to treat leg swelling at home?

The main thing is to do therapy of the underlying disease. But if the vein doctor didn’t find any diseases during the medical examination, and there is no threat to health, you can try the following tips to prevent swelling:

Add movement

With a sedentary lifestyle, add a workout to your daily routine. Do cardio workouts such as swimming, running, and walking. Avoid uncomfortable shoes and let your feet relax by taking off your shoes and elevating your legs several times a day.

Maintain optimal weight

Being overweight is a heavy burden on the cardiovascular system. Large volumes of tissue require increased blood circulation, with which the heart sometimes can not cope. The best way out is to try to lose some weight.

Limit salt intake 

The daily amount of salt consumed should not exceed 1 teaspoon. Therefore, add less salt to your food and do not consume excess marinades and sauces. Remove processed foods such as bacon, ham, cheese, and some bakery products from your diet. 

Make a herb bath 

You need to make a mixture of birch leaves, chamomile, and mint to make a herbal bath. Pour 4 glasses of boiling water into 3.5 oz of this mixture and let it brew for 1 hour. Then dilute with cool water (to a temperature of 100 F) and place the legs in the resulting solution. The procedure can last 10-15 minutes.