What causes leg swelling and what should be done?
Nov 26, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, causes of leg swelling include prolonged sitting or standing, malnutrition, varicose veins in the lower extremities, nephritis, and cardiac insufficiency. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and undergo symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, ensuring adequate rest and sleep can reduce the burden on the heart, promote smoother venous return in the legs, and help alleviate leg edema.
Generally, the causes of leg swelling include prolonged sitting or standing, malnutrition, lower limb varicose veins, nephritis, and heart failure. It is recommended to seek timely medical consultation to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Prolonged Sitting or Standing
Maintaining the same posture for extended periods, especially standing or sitting without movement, can hinder blood circulation in the lower limbs, leading to leg swelling. It is advisable to change positions regularly, engage in appropriate physical activity, such as walking or leg elevation exercises, to promote blood circulation in the lower limbs.
2. Malnutrition
Poor nutrition or imbalanced dietary intake may lead to reduced protein levels in the body, lowering plasma colloid osmotic pressure and causing fluid accumulation in the interstitial spaces, resulting in leg edema. Adjusting dietary structure and increasing protein intake, such as lean meat, eggs, and milk, is recommended.
3. Lower Limb Varicose Veins
Factors such as heredity, pregnancy, and obesity may lead to lower limb varicose veins, causing venous valve dysfunction and impaired venous blood return, resulting in leg swelling. Symptoms may also include leg pain, itching, and skin discoloration. Treatment under medical guidance may involve medications such as diosmin tablets, sodium aescinate tablets, and dicoumarol tablets.
4. Nephritis
Conditions related to heredity, autoimmune disorders, or bacterial infections may impair kidney filtration function, leading to sodium and water retention and proteinuria, which lowers plasma colloid osmotic pressure and results in leg swelling. Symptoms may also include eyelid edema, hematuria, and proteinuria. Treatment under medical advice may involve medications such as hydrochlorothiazide tablets, furosemide tablets, and benazepril hydrochloride tablets.
5. Heart Failure
Heart failure may be associated with myocardial disease, excessive cardiac load, or arrhythmia, causing impaired venous blood return, increased venous pressure, and fluid leakage into interstitial spaces, resulting in lower limb edema. Symptoms may also include abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, and jugular vein distention. Treatment under medical supervision may involve medications such as digoxin tablets, isosorbide dinitrate tablets, and spironolactone tablets.
In daily life, ensuring adequate rest and sleep can reduce the burden on the heart, improve venous return in the legs, and help alleviate leg swelling.
