Home remedies for swollen legs
Swollen calves, ankles, or whole legs are a condition that can affect people of all ages. It has various causes and can affect a young person just as much as an older person.
One of the most prosaic causes is water retention in the body, another is prolonged standing in one position. We do not always have an influence on this, especially if our work forces us to adopt such, and not a different, posture for many hours. Oedema is often accompanied by heaviness of the legs.
Sometimes it can be dealt with at home, but sometimes the help of a doctor is needed. To assess which way to fight these ailments will be the best, it will be useful to determine the causes. It is also good to delve a little deeper into the subject so that you can react faster if the first unpleasant symptoms appear.
What can cause swollen ankles and calves?
There can be many reasons for such discomfort. Experts often point to varicose veins or pre-varicose veins. And indeed, it happens that this is related. For this reason, many people think that swollen calves are a problem that affects people of more advanced age. However, this is not always true.
A swollen leg from the knee down can also be a problem that occurs in pregnant women. This must be due to, among other things, hormonal changes, but also with greater strain - increasing as the pregnancy progresses - affecting certain changes in blood circulation. In this situation, of course, the swelling is natural and passes with time, which does not mean that nothing can be done about it.
Swelling not only in the legs but also in the whole body can also be connected with an improper diet rich in salt. This mineral causes water to accumulate in the body and it is easy to notice this problem in us, for example from rings that are difficult to remove from swollen fingers. We may also have trouble putting shoes on swollen feet.
Very often swollen calves or whole legs are caused by prolonged staying in one position. For example, at a sedentary job, especially if the leg-to-foot position is particularly comfortable for us. Work that requires you to stand for long hours (e.g., sales staff) or sitting (office workers, professional drivers) also promotes the appearance of swelling.
These people are also more likely to develop varicose veins. Besides, venous insufficiency is such a disease that should not be ignored in any way or treated by home remedies. It is necessary to consult a doctor.
Home remedies for swollen ankles
To quickly and effectively get rid of such ailments as a swollen leg, you can reach for various home remedies. Especially if we know that the causes do not lie in varicose veins, but rather in other, easily eliminated factors.
If the swollen calf is caused by standing work or a sedentary lifestyle, it is worth introducing a little more movement into your daily routine. This simple solution will not only make your muscles work better but will also improve blood circulation by reducing stagnation in the veins of your lower limbs. It will also be worth thinking about giving up stimulants such as cigarettes, alcohol, or coffee.
They too can cause water accumulation. In addition, it will be good to limit salt intake. It affects the body by raising blood pressure, but it also retains water in the body, which is not good for the system.
It will also be worth considering whether oedemas appear in us due to wearing too tight clothes. For example, if we wear socks with a strong, compressive rubber band, creating a characteristic border - it will be easy to notice swelling located in the ankle area.
Sore calves can also be reduced by placing legs above the level of your heart while resting. This simple trick can work wonders.
What for swollen legs and varicose veins?
Unfortunately, varicose veins are very often one of the causes of leg pain and swelling. If you have already developed varicose veins, you will need to follow your doctor's advice to reduce their occurrence in the future. A gel for leg swelling may work well. Such preparations can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. They usually contain diosmin, which is a flavonoid designed to protect and strengthen blood vessels. Antiedematous medicines can also bring some relief.
Sometimes it is also a very good idea to use special compression tights. Their gradual upward compression improves venous blood return in lower limbs, thus preventing further varicose veins and swelling. They can be used both daily and for special occasions, which is also their great advantage.
It does not hurt to take care of your condition and weight. Excessive kilograms promote the appearance of varicose veins and swelling. It is worth introducing at least a half-hour walk or a visit to a swimming pool into your daily routine. At the same time, it is better to avoid saunas and hot showers.
