Swelling of the legs: causes and treatment - drug treatment of swelling of the lower extremities

Many have experienced the unfortunate nuisance of swelling of the upper or lower lip after a blow, injury, or even biting. Of course, the condition that has arisen is not a serious pathology, but it can significantly spoil the appearance.

Your home kit should contain proven ways to remove swelling from your lip after a blow, because the correctness of actions in the first hours after the incident determines how quickly a full recovery will occur. You should also know what to do if there is swelling from the inside, so as not to harm the oral mucosa and quickly cope with the problem.

What is leg swelling

Swelling of the legs is an external manifestation of the accumulation of fluid in the body. At the same time, the limb itself noticeably increases in size, the skin on it becomes loose, and when pressed, dents appear that do not disappear instantly.

Swelling usually occurs in the evening, although it can still cause discomfort the next morning. It is localized:

in the feet;
in the ankles;
in the legs;
from socks to knee.

Depending on the reasons, either one leg or both may swell. Symmetrical distribution often indicates generalized edema, which may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition.

If this trouble appears rarely, then you can fight it with folk remedies. The regularity of occurrence indicates a disease of the internal organs. Therefore, it is important to establish the nature of the swelling.

Under no circumstances is it possible

Warm the swollen surface with all sorts of lotions; such actions will only make the swelling even worse. The same recommendation applies to warming ointments.
Use decorative cosmetics to mask the damage, since these products contain many substances that can cause even greater harm to the damaged surface.
Eat a meal, especially hot and cold dishes, as well as various solid foods.
It goes without saying that you should forget about alcohol and smoking during the entire recovery period of the damaged area.
You should not constantly touch a swollen lip. Firstly, it increases skin irritation, and secondly, it creates favorable conditions for the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. If there is bleeding, then you can’t stop it with anything, use only sterile materials for this.

It is also advisable to protect the swollen area from direct sunlight and any mechanical influences, including kisses.

To treat edema, use traditional medical and folk remedies. But remember one thing - if you can’t eliminate the swelling on your own, then you need to contact a specialist at a medical facility. This will protect you from the serious consequences of such an event, seemingly insignificant at first glance.

Causes of leg swelling

When there is too much fluid in the tissues, it means that there is a malfunction in the functioning of the body. Most often, swelling is caused by:

protein metabolism disorder;
damage to cell membranes, increasing their permeability;
changes in pressure differences in tissues and vessels;
impaired blood circulation.

There are many reasons for such failures. Some are temporary (allergic reaction, bruise, infection). Others indicate the development of pathologies of the lower extremities (varicose veins, thrombophlebitis). Still others indicate serious diseases of the internal organs (heart, kidneys, lymphatic system).

A person cannot independently determine why his foot is swollen: because of uncomfortable shoes or because of a blocked blood vessel. Therefore, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor for subsequent treatment.

Why does one leg swell?

If the swelling is asymmetrical, its cause is localized directly in the affected limb. Swelling may occur due to bruises on the legs or more serious injuries:

ankle joint injuries;
meniscus tear;
separation of the calf muscle;
bone fracture;
tissue compression.

Venous edema is also most often unilateral. Varicose veins cause fluid stagnation, but they are localized in one limb where the vessels are affected. This is indicated by the characteristic venous network.

Thrombophlebitis disrupts blood circulation, and at the same time the outflow of fluid from tissues. In this case, swelling is accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms: fever, pain, compaction in the blockage area.

Why do both legs swell?

If by the end of the day both lower limbs are swollen, it means that excess fluid is present throughout the body. Most often this condition is caused by:

heat;
excessive fluid intake;
obesity;
uncomfortable shoes (tight, high heels, completely flat soles);
flat feet;
unhealthy diet (lots of salty and spicy foods in the diet);
standing on your feet for a long time or in an uncomfortable position.

Fluid stagnation in these cases is caused by improper load distribution. None of the above indicates a threat to life, and the swelling goes away in a day or two. For some, it is enough to take off their shoes and relax, while others resort to folk remedies to relieve discomfort. But symmetrically swollen legs can also indicate more serious diseases that require urgent treatment.

When general swelling indicates danger to life

Sometimes swelling of the lower extremities is a symptom of a general imbalance in the body's hydrobalance. In the case of heart failure, the body's main muscle cannot cope with pumping blood. The fluid in the body is distributed unevenly, and too much accumulates at the bottom. If the patient stands or sits in one position for a long time, his feet and legs swell.

Kidney failure can also lead to swelling. It appears not only on the legs, but also on the arms, face (mainly under the eyes), and abdominal wall.

If cardiac edema develops gradually (over weeks), then renal edema develops very quickly. With cardiac diseases, the skin becomes colder, with kidney diseases it maintains a normal temperature.

Fluid retention can also be caused by lymphedema, which is damage to the lymphatic vessels. The swelling in this case is dense; after pressing on the skin, there is no indentation.

When lips swell - why is it dangerous?

Typically, lips swell in the morning, immediately after sleep, or in certain situations, such as after eating. The causes of lip swelling can be different:

Inflammation
. In most cases, swelling is due to ongoing inflammation. If the lip tissue is affected, for example, by a poison that gets under the skin after an insect bite or an allergen, the body launches a series of immune processes. First of all, there is an increase in blood flow and an improvement in capillary permeability, which helps the cells and substances necessary to maintain immunity and recovery processes quickly reach the affected area.
Allergy
. Swelling of the lips can be caused by food allergies, allergies to medications (penicillin, codeine), insect bites, cosmetics, latex, and oral hygiene products.
Herpes
. Swollen lips can also be a sign of herpes simplex.
Pathologies of internal organs
. Sometimes swelling can be a consequence of heart failure and kidney disease.

Why do feet swell during pregnancy?

During pregnancy, the outflow of fluid is often disrupted. This is explained by large-scale changes occurring in the body:

weight gain;
changes in hormonal levels;
compression of the inferior vena cava by the enlarging uterus;
decreased mobility;
diet correction.

In most cases, swelling is considered as a variant of the physiological norm. There is no need to resort to drug treatment; it is enough to keep the situation under control. However, the spread of edema throughout the body can result in serious pathologies, such as preeclampsia.

The expectant mother should monitor the dynamics of the increase in calf circumference, blood pressure and the ratio of fluid consumed and excreted. The kidneys experience increased stress during pregnancy, so at the first alarming symptoms it is better to be examined by a nephrologist.

Treatment of leg swelling

The treatment package depends on the cause of the unpleasant symptom. If it is not associated with serious diseases, but is caused by improper distribution of the load, it is enough to locally relieve the swelling. This can be done at home.

If it is caused by local reactions (bruise, allergy, infection), then it is necessary to provide the victim with the necessary assistance:

treat the damaged area;
apply ice;
give medicine.

Sometimes this can be done at home, sometimes medical attention is required. After a few days, the swelling will disappear as the tissue heals.

Drug treatment under the supervision of a phlebologist is required for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis. If the disease is advanced, surgery may be required. After restoration of venous tone and normal blood circulation, external symptoms will disappear.

How to relieve swelling after a bruise

Treatment for a leg bruise usually comes down to eliminating pain and swelling. The swelling in this case is caused by damage to the blood vessels and the accumulation of fluid from them under the skin. The latter puts pressure on the nerve endings, hence the pain. So eliminating swelling also helps to get rid of unpleasant sensations.

You can help a bruised limb at home:

stretch and provide peace;
apply a wet towel, ice or a heating pad with cold water;
apply a tight bandage.

You can also resort to drug treatment. External agents containing troxerutin or heparin will help. They strengthen capillaries, optimize blood viscosity and relieve inflammation.

Drug therapy for a swollen lip after a blow

If you trust classical medicine more and are wondering what to do if you have a bruise and swelling on your lip, then a number of the following remedies can help:

Bodyaga. It is better to purchase it in the form of a gel, rub it in an unlimited number of times during the day as it is absorbed, until the bruise decreases;
Ointment Rescuer. In addition to improving the general condition, it also disinfects the affected area;
Lotions with lead water. Cool in the refrigerator before use. Has an analgesic effect and quickly solves the problem of swelling;
If you have a broken lip, a pharmacist at any pharmacy can tell you how to remove the swelling. There is a considerable number of ointments designed to solve such issues, and you will have plenty to choose from (Troxevasin, Heparin, Lyoton, Ketonal, Nurofen-gel).

A lip can become swollen for many reasons, and physical damage is just one of them. If you are faced with such a problem and see that this is a rather large bruise, but a more serious injury, do not hesitate and seek professional help from doctors at the first opportunity.

How to relieve leg swelling caused by heat

The best medicine in this case is gravity. Arriving home and throwing away the shoes that have become a vice, it is enough to lie down and place your feet higher (at a minimum - on several pillows, at a maximum - against the wall).

When it becomes easier to move, you need to take a shower. Ideally, a contrasting one that trains blood vessels, but you can limit yourself to just cool. In this case, you should direct the pressure to the feet: such a hydromassage will restore blood circulation.

You can disperse the fluid with light exercises: pulling the toe towards you and away from you, rotating your feet, squatting. But if you don’t have the strength to do this, and your legs hurt, it’s better not to torture them.

Foot baths are also useful. Even plain water will provide relief, but you can enhance the effects with additives. This could be sea salt or herbal infusions. Compresses made from cabbage leaves or bandages soaked in a decoction of birch leaves improve the condition of the limbs.

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Treatment of leg swelling due to heart or kidney failure

Patients with heart or kidney failure should be under the supervision of a physician. In acute attacks, resuscitation is required. If the disease takes a chronic form, swelling is removed as it appears with the help of diuretics and nutritional correction. Medicines should:

stabilize blood pressure;
remove excess sodium from the body;
prevent protein loss;
normalize blood flow speed.

When using diuretics (diuretics), it is important not to exceed the permissible dosage. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting the opposite effect in the form of drug-induced edema during withdrawal. They are caused by the kidneys’ reaction to a sudden change in the mode of fluid excretion.

What to do is strictly prohibited

When the lip is swollen from a blow, everyone is looking for a way to quickly relieve the swelling, thereby alleviating the general condition.

Not all recommendations are effective or even safe.

You should refuse:

from warm compresses. Applying heat in this case will only worsen the situation, the swelling will increase significantly;
from warming ointments. Using them will provide the same effect as a warm compress. Discomfort will gradually increase, your health will worsen;
from using improvised means to stop bleeding. In case of injury, it is better to consult a doctor or call an ambulance;
If your lip is swollen, you should stop using cosmetics in order to disguise the swelling. In this case, there is a risk of not only provoking its increase, but also the possibility of initiation;
from eating immediately after injury. You need to wait some time and until complete recovery, do not eat foods with high or low temperatures;
from drinking alcohol and smoking during recovery;
from constant inspection of the injury site. This can aggravate the general condition; the risk of infection cannot be ruled out.

During treatment, it is better not to be exposed to direct sunlight and avoid kissing your significant other, even this can increase swelling.

Relieving swelling during pregnancy

In the body of a woman carrying a fetus, the concentration of the hormone progesterone increases. It is one of the causes of edema during pregnancy. In no case should it be reduced, because it is this that ensures the attachment of the embryo.

There is no need to fight physiological swelling. The main thing is to prevent it from getting worse. To alleviate the symptoms, you can carry out the mentioned water procedures and adhere to a healthy lifestyle (moderate activity, water consumption within the daily norm, adjusted for restrictions imposed by pregnancy, rest on your side).

The pathological nature of edema can only be determined by a doctor based on test results (in particular, protein in the urine). Having discovered the cause, he will prescribe treatment. It is prohibited to take any medications on your own.

How to remove a swelling from the lip after a blow using folk remedies?

Naturally, you can remove swelling from the lip after a blow with some means that have been tested not only in laboratory conditions and a number of scientific studies, but also by many years of practice. Alternative treatment is popular in such cases for the reason that a bruised lip often does not require urgent medical intervention and is treated symptomatically.

Tea lotions. Dip a regular tea bag into water and squeeze it out a little, remember that it should never be hot. Hold the injured area for a couple of minutes;
A combination of Fuller's earth, turmeric and water. Take the first two reagents in a 1:1 ratio and, using water, bring the mixture to the state of sour cream and apply it to your swollen lip. After 20 minutes, wash off the medicine;
If your lip is swollen, the juice of such an amazing plant as aloe can help. It has unique capabilities and is used not only in folk, but also in classical medicine. Moisten a cotton swab with aloe juice and hold it on the sore spot for 15-20 minutes;
If your lip is swollen due to physical injury, and there is no open wound, you can make a kind of scrub from soda. Mix the reagent with water to a state similar to a regular scrub, apply it to the damaged area for 10 minutes, and then rinse with water;
Celandine lotions. This herb, which is also used in the production of a huge number of different medicines, will also help remove swelling from the lip after a blow. Squeeze the juice out of it and apply fresh lotions to the wound at least 2-3 times a day.

It is worth remembering that such remedies should be used only in cases where the lip is only swollen and the resulting injury does not carry possible serious consequences. If, using such treatment methods, you do not feel better within a couple of days, you need to consult a doctor.

Prevention

Swelling cannot always be prevented, since it can occur under the influence of uncontrollable factors. There is no way to prevent a bruise or insect bite. But in general, maintaining hydrobalance in the body is easy:

Observe the drinking regime: fully quench your thirst, but do not drink more than you should.
Stick to a diet during the hot season: minimize the consumption of salty and spicy foods, eat more fruits, drink tea with lemon instead of coffee.
Arrange water treatments: contrast showers, foot baths.
Move more: walking, swimming, aerobics do not allow fluid to stagnate.

In summer, you should avoid tight, high-heeled shoes. It is useful to periodically place your feet on an elevation so that fluid concentrated in the lower part of the body drains. There is no need to abuse medications. Urinary and antihypertensive drugs should be prescribed by a doctor. Any diseases that have a similar symptom must be treated in a timely manner.

Tokareva Lyudmila Georgievna, therapist, medical offices 36.6.

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS, BEFORE USE YOU MUST CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST

Injury prevention

And even if, at the time of the fall, the child, as you think, escaped with only a slight fright, the baby should be shown to an osteopath. Because even very minor blows and bruises to the head can lead to a very small, invisible displacement of the skull bones. The baby’s skull bones are mobile, soft and pliable, they absorb shock well. This is why “flying” from the height of a sofa in the vast majority of cases does not lead to serious injuries in children, and this is confirmed by the observations of doctors. But in order to prevent further deformation, which can subsequently lead to microscopic displacement of the bones, it is important that an osteopathic doctor examine the child and help solve the problem. After all, this microtrauma in the future can lead to such serious consequences as deformation of the skull, poor posture, malocclusion, etc.

Children in the first year of life are actively exploring the world; they cannot avoid falls, bruises, and awkward movements. Preventive scheduled examinations by an osteopath are an opportunity to promptly recognize possible bone displacements, which inevitably occur as a child grows and develops, and, using gentle and very effective techniques, solve the problem in a timely manner, balance all body systems and help the baby become healthy and harmonious.

The article is located in the sections: OSTEOPATHY FOR ALL TRAUMATOLOGY AND ORTHOPEDICS