Leg swelling in the elderly - causes and treatment

From birth to nature, the body has all the conditions for its normal functioning. The immunity system protects it from various external and internal “attacks”. But over time, the body undergoes natural aging, wears out. There is no escape from this process. Quite often, when a person’s age exceeds a half-century mark, many legs begin to swell. This is due to the fact that, at this age, for natural reasons, metabolic processes are disturbed.

Fact! Swelling of the legs is characteristic of both genital groups, however, women are prone to this condition somewhat more often than men.

Most common causes

The elderly contingent is faced with a similar condition quite often. Both legs and one lower limb can swell. Why this happens, you can understand if you know the causes of such conditions.

A causal relationship with leg edema is quite variable. Sometimes such conditions arise from the influence of a whole complex of factors. The situation may be aggravated by the presence of certain conditions. Doctors say that even banal heavy physical exertion can "add oil to the fire". The body in the presence of conditions for the occurrence of puffiness works with great overload. Intense physical activity is a factor that will lead to increased severity of these manifestations.

The basis of the genesis of the development of edema on the legs most often lies in the chronic pathology of internal organs. These include the following conditions:

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels. In older people, the movement of blood through the vessels is already not proceeding at the same speed as at a young age. The blood flow slows down, sometimes quite significantly. This leads to stagnation of blood in individual tissues. For this reason, swelling may occur. Stagnation may well cause varicose veins. This will contribute to the development of venous insufficiency and may even lead to thrombosis. The condition is very unpleasant and is often accompanied by severe pain.

If the pain is very intense, seek medical attention without delay. Venous diseases lead to increasing edema, and pain is bursting. When walking, the load on the legs increases, the pain at the same time becomes more pronounced. Most often, pain is localized in the ankle and feet.

With thrombosis, the pain is so pronounced that any possibility of normal movement disappears. In the place where the thrombus formed, the skin acquires a dark shade, literally becomes black in color. Such conditions require immediate medical attention. Objectively, under such conditions, the legs become very swollen.

If swelling is associated with heart failure, then the hip area becomes the site of pain radiation. In this case, you need to consult a cardiologist. In men, heart failure is the main cause of leg swelling. In order to somehow correct such manifestations, it is necessary to constantly take medications that are prescribed by a cardiologist.

Violations associated with metabolic processes. With them, swelling of the legs is observed quite often. In old age, mechanisms are disturbed in the interaction of cells. This leads to an imbalance associated with electrolytes and proteins.

The work of the kidneys in the body is very busy. There is an accumulation of fluid.Along with it, non-processed harmful substances accumulate. All this leads to the occurrence of nephrosis. Swelling of the lower extremities occurs. Similar changes can be observed with a violation of the liver. Kidney function can be improved somewhat using diuretic fees.

Legs may swell in patients with diabetes. Such a picture is observed quite often with them. In addition, diabetics are often prone to thrombosis.

Traumatic factor. Any, even the most minor injury, leads to swelling. With it, small vessels and capillaries are damaged. Inflammation develops, one of the classic signs of which is edema. Minor injuries, as a rule, are not harmful to the body, and puffiness with them is eliminated by applying a cold object to the edematous region.

Wrong diet. In old age, more than ever, a person needs proper nutrition. Older people often neglect nutritional issues. They consume everything indiscriminately, without observing any regimen moments. Often the "reward" for such carelessness is swelling of the legs.

Overweight. In fat and obese people, swelling of the legs occurs quite often. Over time, muscle fibers wear out and cannot bear the increased load on the legs. Legs just get tired wearing a heavy body. As a result, there is a release of fluid from the vascular bed and the development of edema. In summer, this is most pronounced, since the influence of the thermal factor is also added.

The causes include chronic pathology of the digestive tract. A number of diseases leads to disruption of the processes of absorption and redistribution of fluid in the body. Diuretics will help to correct the condition.

Legs may swell due to hypertension in the vessels of the lungs and increased peripheral blood pressure.

Puffiness of the legs can be caused by external factors. A vivid example is the long-term use of medications due to the presence of a disease. Some drugs may cause swelling of the lower extremities as a side effect.

Edema Treatment

It is necessary to get rid of puffiness not only by local effects on the edematous region, but also by complex therapy on the body.

Local treatment
It must be applied immediately when the exact cause of the swelling has not yet been established.

1. Various external agents are used in the form of ointments, gels. Some of them eliminate signs of inflammation, and helps prevent blood clots or resorb them. Typically, these funds are prepared on the basis of horse chestnut or heparin.
2. The use of diuretics is indicated. As a result of their action, a uniform distribution of fluid throughout the body will occur.
3. Often resort to the use of badyagi. Vegetable oil is added to it in a ratio of 1: 1. Stir the composition until a homogeneous gruel is formed. It is applied to a problem place. It is better if this is done at night.
4. A good result can be obtained from wearing compression socks and stockings. They cannot constrain movements, but legs at the same time “rest” and impede the possibility of blood clots. Such underwear is suitable not only for women, but also for men.

Comprehensive correction
Its main direction is the elimination of factors contributing to the occurrence of puffiness. Correction is aimed at treating the underlying disease. At the same time, they do not forget about the use of local funds.

• If blood pressure is increased, antihypertensive drugs are used.
• If there is a pathology of the heart, a cardiologist will help.
• In chronic pathology, actions are aimed at prolonging the period of remission and preventing exacerbations.

Traditional medicine
Traditional medicine operates in its arsenal with many means to combat puffiness:

1. Horse tincture tincture is popular. To do this, chopped chestnut is poured with vodka. It is necessary to insist 10 days. Reception is carried out several times a day for 10 drops. A similar tool is very effective in combating varicose veins.
2. It well corrects edematous conditions of parsley root. It will take 50 g of chopped parsley root and boiling water in a volume of 500 ml. The infusion is left overnight. In the morning, it is necessary to filter and drink the entire volume during the day.
3. You can fight swelling with the help of flax seed. 100 g of seeds are added per liter of boiling water. In a water bath, the composition costs half an hour. Insist for several hours in a warm place. During the day, take multiple times in half a glass. The duration of the course is 3 weeks.
4. If kidney activity is impaired, then the use of green tea will be beneficial. As a diuretic, you can use the infusion of horsetail, sage, oregano, linden, milk thistle. From their use, the processes of filtration and liquid processing will accelerate.
5. Contrast foot baths will be a good tool in the fight against edema. The alternation of warm and cold water will lead to the disappearance of edema. After such water procedures, it is useful to rub the legs with olive oil. Camphor oil is quite suitable for this purpose. Rubbing is carried out until the product is completely absorbed into the skin of the feet. The procedure is carried out regularly in the evenings.
6. Effective is the use of herbal compresses. For them, you can use raw potatoes, birch buds, a mixture of yogurt with wormwood in a ratio of 1: 1. You can use a decoction made from birch leaves for this.
7. Foot baths can be done with sea salt, juniper berries, chamomile broth. Removing excess fluid will contribute to a drink from dried apricots. An excellent remedy in this regard is a decoction of radish.
8. It is useful for older people to eat watermelons, cucumbers, melon, carrots in any form. All of them contribute to the removal of excess fluid from the body and are not inferior in effectiveness to diuretics.

Recommendations of specialists regarding lifestyle

Whatever the cause of the formation of edema, a correction of lifestyle is required to ensure that the causes that contribute to the occurrence of puffiness are eliminated.

1. The main requirement in old age is maintaining a measured lifestyle. No frills at this age should be allowed. This applies to both nutrition and physical activity.
2. Foot massage will be helpful. It is reasonable to combine active work with rest.
3. Whenever possible, stressful situations should be avoided. With sleep disorders, you can take tincture of valerian, infusions of soothing fees.

Prevention

Preventive measures are simple, but effectively help prevent the development of puffiness. These include:

Limitation in the diet of salt. It promotes fluid retention in the body and the development of edema. Of course, alcohol and drinking water with gas should be excluded.

• For drinking, it is better to stop the choice with ordinary liquid.
• Refuse to use foods that promote thirst.
• Shoes for everyday wear should not squeeze the foot.
• Massage of localization of edema.
• Daily feasible physical exercises.
• Active life position in every way.
• More movements, including aerobics.
• If possible, walk barefoot more.
• It will be useful to carry out exercises related to rolling a lighthouse or ball with your feet.

All these measures are simple for their implementation, but the effect of them in terms of preventing edema will be noticeable.

Video: treatment of leg edema with folk remedies