what is the best treatment for swelling legs

When to see a doctor for swollen legs treatment?

Swelling in the ankles, feet or legs often goes away on its own. See a GP if it does not get better in a few days. Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema.

What is the best home remedy for swelling?

Tips to Reduce Swelling From an Injury.

1. Resting the Affected Area. To ensure a quick reduction of swelling caused by an injury, you need to allow the injured area to rest as much as possible for ...
2. Cold Compress. In the first 72 hours following an acute injury, applying a cold compress is one of the best ways to minimize swelling.
3. Compression. ...
4. Elevation. ...
5. Epsom Salt Soak. ...
6. Apple Cider Vinegar. ...

How to treat swollen legs with home remedies?

Method

• Rest. If movement is painful at first, rest your legs and stay off them as much as you can until you’re able to move without pain.
• Ice. Keep an ice pack on your legs for about 20 minutes every hour over the first 3 days after symptoms start. ...
• Compression. ...
• Elevation. ...

What is the best supplement for swelling?

Vitamins and Water Retention

• Flavonoids. A new class of largely unstudied vitamins is referred to as flavonoids. ...
• Vitamin D. Edema of the lower extremities is often linked to hypertension and heart disease in general. ...
• Thiamine. B1 deficiency is one known cause of fluid retention. ...
• Pantothenic Acid. Vitamin B5 is directly linked to edema. ...
• Pyridoxine. ...

Why do my legs swell up?

Instead of filtering water and waste material from your blood, fluid gathers in your body, which causes swelling in your arms and legs. Acute kidney failure -- when your kidneys suddenly stop working -- can also cause swollen legs, ankles, and feet. But it usually happens when you’re hospitalized with other problems.

How to tell if your leg is swollen?

Raise your legs above your heart level for half an hour, several times a day. But since leg swelling can be a sign of something serious, don't ignore it. If you notice other symptoms, especially leg pain, shortness of breath, or extreme fatigue, call your doctor right away.

Why do my legs swell after delivery?

If, during the last trimester or soon after delivery, you have swollen legs and shortness of breath, talk to your doctor about a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy, a type of heart failure related to pregnancy. Learn more about swelling and other discomforts during pregnancy.

What causes fluid buildup in one leg?

Several things can lead to extra fluid, or edema, in one leg, or both: Congestive heart failure: This happens when your heart is too weak to pump all the blood your body needs. It leads to fluid buildup, especially in your legs. Other symptoms of congestive heart failure : Shortness of breath or trouble breathing.

What happens when you break a bone in your leg?

Inflammation: It happens when the tissues in your legs get irritated and swollen. It’s a natural response if you break a bone or tear a tendon or ligament, but it also may be a sign of a more serious inflammatory illness, like arthritis.

What does it mean when your legs are edema?

Fluid buildup (edema): It happens when the tissues or blood vessels in your legs hold more fluid than they should. This can happen if you simply spend a long day on your feet or sit for too long. But it may also be a sign that you’re overweight or don’t get enough exercise, or of more serious medical conditions.

Can prescription drugs cause swelling?

Sometimes, swelling can be an unwelcome side effect of prescription drugs. The medications most likely to cause swollen legs include: Call your doctor if you take any of these drugs and get swollen lower limbs. Learn more about common medication side effects.

How to treat swelling in legs during pregnancy?

Treatment for leg swelling during pregnancy is vastly different from treatments for vascular disease, which includes: Staying off your feet as much as possible with the elevation of the legs when not doing light exercise, like walking. Wearing compression stockings to prevent blood accumulation in your legs.

What is the term for swelling in the legs?

Leg Swelling. Another term for leg swelling is "leaky legs.". When you have certain vascular disease types, your legs may swell, starting at the ankles and spreading up your legs, particularly if you don't seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you have chronic leg swelling, you might have a problem with return blood flow in your veins, ...

What is the best treatment for discoloration of the leg?

Topical creams or ointments may be prescribed or recommended to treat dryness of the skin, skin discoloration or irritation of the skin. The most common medication for leg discoloration and swelling due to a vascular disease involves blood thinners. One of the most significant vascular disease issues is clotting, ...

What causes leg elevation during rest?

Leg elevation during periods of rest. Gravity will cause an increase in the pooling of blood in the lower legs and increase swelling if the legs are left dangling rather than elevating them. Compression stockings. These are special style socks or stockings which apply different amounts of pressure at varying levels.

Why does my swollen thigh hurt?

Other causes of swelling and discoloration may include increased salt intake in the diet, side effects from medications, previous surgeries, hormonal imbalance, and organ dysfunction. Swelling also worsens during times of warmer weather. These should be evaluated along with evaluation for venous disease.

Why do my legs swell?

Leg swelling is a more common symptom of vascular disorder. Your legs swell when your capillaries' pressure is higher than the pressure of surrounding fluids , particularly lymphatic fluids.

Can lymphedema cause leg elevation?

Lymphedema can involve swelling down into the foot and become quite severe. The edema may persist even with leg elevation. Lymphedema and venous disease often happen together in a disease process known as phlebolymphedema.

What causes swelling in the legs?

For example: Breathlessness which started at the same time as the leg swelling might suggest heart failure (if both legs) or DVT (if one leg) spreading to the lungs ( pulmonary embolism). A high temperature (fever) suggests some type of infection.

Why do my legs swell?

The most common cause of swelling in both legs is oedema. This is a collection of fluid in between the cells, which are the building blocks of the tissues of our body. Oedema can occur in one particular part of the body, or it can be generalised.

Why do my legs swell up in hot weather?

Long journeys or being immobile for other reasons. If your legs are hanging down and not moving for long periods of time, you can develop swollen legs.

Why is my leg swelling on one side?

One-sided swelling is more likely to be due to a problem with a particular part of that leg. In a specific area or generalised. Swelling around joints is usually caused by injury or a type of arthritis. Swelling in specific areas of skin may be caused by allergy or infection.

Why do my legs swell when I'm pregnant?

Usually this is par for the course and nothing to worry about, but if you are pregnant, your midwife will be doing regular checks to be sure you don't have a blood pressure problem ( pre-eclampsia) causing it. Heart failure.

Why do I have yellow blotches on my legs?

Being yellow (jaundiced) suggests a liver problem, such as cirrhosis. Swelling in other places other than the legs - for example, in the tummy, hands or around the eyes. This would suggest a problem with another or a general body system rather than a problem with the leg or legs.

Can a swollen leg be symmetrical?

There are a surprising number of different kinds of swelling of the legs. One leg or both legs could be swollen. If both legs, it could be symmetrical or worse on one side. A specific part of the leg (s) could be swollen, or the entire leg (s). It could have come on suddenly or gradually.

How to treat swollen legs?

A CLT (certified lymphedema therapist) can assess your condition and develop a lymphedema treatment plan that includes the following steps: 1 Elastic stockings that will fit properly and offer compression to the extremities. 2 Bandages that should be wrapped very tightly around the leg whereas loosely wrapped towards the trunk, hence encouraging lymph flow out of the affected leg. This is effective to cure swollen legs. 3 Pneumatic compression devices that are stockings with pumps that offer tight compression for the affected leg/limb. 4 Massaging techniques called lymphage drainage massages can also be very helpful. 5 Exercises that stimulate the swollen leg (s) muscles are also a good step towards alleviating lymphedema.

How to stop swollen legs from bleeding?

Avoid heat on your leg. Do not apply heat or ice, like applying ice wraps or heat pads to your swollen legs.

What happens if lymph fluids are blocked?

Any blockage occurring in the lymph vessels or their inability to carry away the lymph fluids from the tissues causes lymphedema or localized swelling.

How to get rid of lymphedema in the legs?

When you are sitting, try not to cross your legs. Propping yourself up with cushions/pillows in bed. Lymph drainage is improved in an upright position. Wearing loose-fitting clothes. If you have lymphedema you should find shoes that are covered and are loose like mesh shoes, lace ups or Velcro that are easy to adjust.

What is the best treatment for lymphedema?

One of the natural lymphedema remedies is eating anti-inflammatory foods, juices and supplements. Things like vegetables ,fruits and fish high in Omega 3’s are always good. Limiting high-sodium and processed foods is extremely important as they encourage more retention of fluid and swelling.

How do you know if you have lymphedema?

If you are suffering from lymphedema you may notice the following symptoms: Swelling. A feeling of heaviness or tightness in your limb (s) Reduced flexibility or weakness. Discomfort and pain. Shiny, tight, red or warm skin. Hardened and thicker skin with no indent when you press.

Is there a cure for lymphedema?

There is no cure for lymphedema however it may go away on its own and there are treatments that you can do to help promote healing. These treatments can help:

What to wear when swelling goes down?

If one of your limbs is affected by edema, your doctor may recommend you wear compression stockings, sleeves or gloves, usually worn after your swelling has gone down, to prevent further swelling from occurring. These garments keep pressure on your limbs to prevent fluid from collecting in the tissue. Protection.

How to stop edema on feet?

Dry, cracked skin is more prone to scrapes, cuts and infection. Always wear protection on your feet if that's where the swelling typically occurs. Reduce salt intake. Follow your doctor's suggestions about limiting how much salt you consume. Salt can increase fluid retention and worsen edema.

How to stop edema from coming back?

Lifestyle and home remedies. Compression stockings, also called support stockings, compress your legs, promoting circulation. A stocking butler may help you put on the stockings. The following may help decrease edema and keep it from coming back.

Does edema go away on its own?

Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics). One of the most common diuretics is furosemide (Lasix).

What is swelling in the legs?

Swelling (or what doctors refer to as edema) happens when your body retains fluid in your lower legs, ankles and feet, she says. It most often occurs on both sides of the body, and it’s not an emergency situation. “When it comes to swelling, it’s about management and getting through the day,” Dr. Botek says.

How to get rid of a swollen leg at night?

Limit your salt and carbohydrate intake. Put phone books or bricks under the foot of your bed to elevate your legs and feet at night. Some people looking for relief from this chronic, annoying problem also try essential oils such as peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and/or lavender or chamomile.

How to treat swelling on both sides of body?

You can often treat the symptoms of swelling that occur on both sides of your body yourself, Dr. Botek says. Here are some ideas that can help: Compression socks. Available at your local drug store, shoe store or online, compression socks provide pain relief and prevent fluid collection in your legs, ankles and feet.

How to treat diabetic neuropathy in feet?

If you have diabetic neuropathy in your feet, check the water with your hands first to avoid exposing your feet to extreme temperatures. Magnesium supplements.

How to reduce swelling in the body?

You can make small changes to your everyday life to help reduce swelling: Take a short walk every hour. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily. Drinking less actually promotes swelling. Limit your salt and carbohydrate intake.

What are the symptoms of a swollen leg?

Call your physician if you develop: 1 Leg ulcerations. 2 Increased pain. 3 Blisters. 4 Redness. 5 Drainage.

Can swelling in feet and ankles be prevented?

Policy. Swelling in your feet and ankles is uncomfortable, and sometimes it keeps you from moving freely. But there are several ways to relieve swelling from everyday causes — and sometimes you can even prevent it, says podiatrist Georgeanne Botek, DPM. Swelling (or what doctors refer to as edema) happens when your body retains fluid in your lower ...

Treatment

There are some home remedies that may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with swollen feet and ankles.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you have experienced swelling in your feet and ankles for more than one month, you should see a healthcare provider to have an examination and evaluation to diagnose any underlying causes.

Summary

Swelling in the ankles can result from a variety of different causes and can be managed at home through the use of compression stockings, elevation, monitoring sodium and water intake, diuretic supplements, lymphatic drainage massage, Epsom salts, and changing your medication.

A Word From Verywell

Other than avoiding injury, swelling in the ankles is best prevented by staying active and exercising regularly to maintain good circulation. If you sit or stand for long periods of time, it is helpful to take periodic breaks to walk, which allows the leg muscles to contract and improve blood flow.