Edema leg

definition

The term edema (plural: edema) describes a swelling that is caused by the accumulation of fluid from the vessels and that accumulates in the tissue. Slight edema on the shinbone after long periods of sitting or standing or before the menstrual period also occurs physiologically and is not considered to be a disease. Edema that occurs all over the body (generalized edema), occur first in the ankle area and in front of the shin if the patient is still able to walk. If this is no longer the case and the patient is mainly lying down, the edema is found in the coccyx region. A distinction is made between generalized edema, which affects the whole body, and regional edema, which only occurs in one place. This can be, for example, water in the feet.

Read in our article about treatment options and exercises for lymphedema of the legs: Lymphedema of the legs - how it is treated

Symptoms

Edema is expressed in Swelling for example on the back of the foot or on the lower legs. They are often only noticeable when the shoes pinch or finger rings no longer fit. Another symptom associated with edema is the Weight gain, because the edema often only becomes visible when a large amount of fluid (i.e. liters / kilogram) has accumulated. Edema becomes particularly dangerous when it accumulates in the lungs, because then the breathing function is restricted and there is difficulty breathing.

causes

The causes of edema are varied. Slight edema, which also disappears again, is caused by heat or slight allergic reactions. Persistent edema affecting the whole body is usually the result of a disease of the kidneys, heart or liver. The edema is caused by fluid leaking from the vessels. The reason for the leakage of liquid from the vessels can, for example, be a changed pressure in the vessel. Another possibility is that the vessels have become more permeable.



If the edema occurs only in a limited area, the causes can usually be traced back to an allergic reaction. In the case of larger edema, diseases of the organs are usually the cause and in this case a doctor should be consulted. As already mentioned, one possible cause of the occurrence of edema is an increased pressure in the small vessels, which "presses" the fluid out of the vessel wall. In generalized edema, the increase in pressure occurs in connection with renal insufficiency and right heart failure. If the edema occurs only locally, the pressure increase is due to an obstruction in the drainage system of the vessels. Edema caused by obstruction to drainage occurs in thrombosis (thick, reddened, hot leg with severe pain) and in chronic venous insufficiency. However, the small vessels (capillaries) can also become more permeable than they should normally be. The increased permeability occurs in general in inflammation of the kidneys and in localized edema as a result of allergic and / or inflammatory reactions. Furthermore, a low concentration of blood protein (albumin), as in hunger edema (low protein intake) or nephrotic syndrome (high protein excretion via the kidneys) to the development of edema. The body can also produce some of this blood protein itself in the liver. If the liver is damaged in the case of liver cirrhosis, it can no longer perform this function - as a result, edema also develops. Edema can also develop when the lymphatic system can no longer adequately remove the fluid. Then one speaks of lymphedema. In addition, edema can also be triggered by medication. Calcium antagonists (e.g. Amlodipine) reduce the possibility that the vessels contract and thus promote the development of edema. Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can also lead to edema, as they increase the permeability of the blood vessels. Other drugs that cause edema include: glucocorticosteroids (cortisone), antidepressants, antidiabetic drugs, and estrogens. A special form of edema, angioedema, is sometimes caused by drugs. Angioedema occurs in the deeper connective tissue - mostly on the eyelids, lips, tongue or throat and can occur as a side effect of ACE inhibitors. Other forms of angioedema are due to genetic causes or allergic reactions.

Find out all about the topic here: Lymphedema.

pregnancy

Especially in women, edema often occurs depending on the menstrual cycle. Many women have mild edema during their menstrual period, and some women have the same symptoms at ovulation. Some women also suffer from edema during menopause. This makes it clear that edema is also related to hormones. Since the female hormonal balance is subject to major changes during pregnancy, edema can occur in the course of this change during pregnancy and especially in the last third of pregnancy. These occur mainly in the extremities: hands, feet, legs, but also on the face.

Read more on the topic: Swollen hands

The edema in pregnancy is aggravated by tight clothing and long periods of sitting and standing. A combination of light movement and periods of rest, in which the legs are put up, has a relieving effect on pregnancy edema. Cold showers or swimming also reduce the discomfort. In addition, pregnant women should wear support / compression stockings, also to prevent thrombosis.

Edema in pregnancy, in most cases, is not a concern. Under no circumstances should the pregnant woman try to reduce the edema independently or lead a low-salt diet. In such cases, a specialist in gynecology should be consulted who will find a way to reduce the edema without harming the child. However, the edema becomes pathological if it occurs with high blood pressure and proteinuria. In this case, the responsible gynecologist should be consulted urgently in order to prevent a gestosis.

Read more on the topic: Edema in pregnancy, lymphatic drainage in pregnancy

heat

Even in summer, numerous people are from "Heavy legs" plagued. The edema occurs in summer when the body wants to give off heat. He tries to do this by getting the Vessels dilate. In connection with the widening of the vessels, fluid also passes into the tissue. This phenomenon is intensified when we stand or sit a lot. It is particularly important to drink enough in summer. Simple means provide relief. Regular slight movement, cooling by showering, swim or cold envelopes and the Put your legs up.

Treatment: medication and homeopathy

Treatment for edema is diverse. It starts small with simple means that anyone can do: elevating the legs and cooling. Compression stockings provide relief and can be prescribed by a doctor. Lymphedema is treated with manual compression therapy called lymph drainage. In addition, homeopathic remedies can be used to treat mild edema. In homeopathy there are different remedies for the different causes of edema. In general, Apis mellifica and Apisinum help against swelling, which is used in the treatment of edema. Apocynum and Crataegus are further active ingredients for homeopathic therapy of edema, which are also used against high blood pressure and heart failure. Another remedy is Kalium carbonicum, which is effective against heart failure and thus prevents the development of edema. Some herbal remedies, such as horse chestnut or red vine leaves, work well against edema by reducing the permeability of the blood vessels. In addition, there are numerous dehydrating herbal ingredients (nettle, horsetail, birch leaves). When using these active ingredients, however, you should still consult your doctor as to whether the active ingredients are tolerated with the underlying disease responsible for the edema. A low-salt diet is also a helpful measure against edema. Drug therapy is based on the use of diurectics, which flush out fluid build-up. The different types of diuretics work differently and have different indications depending on the underlying disease. These drugs must always be prescribed by a doctor. You can try to treat mild edema in a self-experiment with the above-mentioned tricks. However, if the edema is pronounced and there is difficulty breathing, a doctor should always be consulted.