What causes legs to swell a lot?

What causes legs to swell a lot?

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.

How do you get rid of swollen legs fast?

Some tips that may help reduce swelling:

1. Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
2. Exercise your legs.
3. Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
4. Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).

What helps excessive leg swelling?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Movement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart.
2. Elevation.
3. Massage.
4. Compression.
5. Protection.
6. Reduce salt intake.

Can dehydration cause leg swelling?

If a problem prevents the lymphatic system from working properly, fluid can start to build up around the tissues. This can cause swelling in various parts of the body, including the abdomen, ankles, legs, and feet.

How long should I elevate my legs to reduce swelling?

The more the swelling and the longer there has been swelling, the longer and more frequently your need to elevate your legs. Start with 20 minutes twice a day. This might do the trick. If not, go to 30 minutes or even an hour.

Can a swollen leg be a symptom of something else?

Having ‘swollen legs’ is a symptom itself, but legs can be swollen in different ways. The clue to the cause (and therefore the treatment) may well be in the type of swelling. The swelling can be: One-sided or both-sided.

Why are my ankles and legs so swollen during pregnancy?

Swollen ankles and legs are common when you’re pregnant because of factors such as: The swelling tends to go away after you deliver your baby. Until then, try these tips to prevent or lessen the swelling. Avoid standing for long periods of time. Sit with your feet raised.

What to do if your feet and legs are swollen?

If you notice swelling in your feet or legs, you should definitely tell your primary care doctor, says a Cleveland Clinic Vascular Medicine specialist. Swelling, or edema, can be caused by many things and it’s important to try to understand what is causing it. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

How to tell if your leg is swollen from DVT?

One of the first symptoms of DVT or thrombophlebitis is one swollen leg (especially the calf), as blood pools in the area. Check with your doctor right away if you have swelling in one leg or any of these other symptoms: Leg pain, tenderness, or cramping. Skin that’s tinged red or blue.

What should I do reduce the swelling in my legs?

Sometimes leg swelling can be a sign of a blood clot, or related to a medication side effect or serious malnutrition. Treatment may include medications called diuretics, which help flush extra fluid out of your body. This practice can help this excess fluid flow away from the feet and legs and reduce swelling.

How to treat swollen legs with home remedies?

Home Remedies for Swollen Ankles, Legs, and Feet Exercise. Regular physical exercise is a great way to stimulate your blood circulation and stop fluid retention in your legs and ankles. Raise your legs. Another effective way to reduce fluid retention in your legs and ankles is to raise your legs above the level of your heart. Walk around. Compression socks. Foot massage. Reduce salt intake. Stop smoking.

What are the dangers of swollen legs?

In either situation, the blood clot can be life threatening. The main danger is the possibility that the blood clot will break free and damage another major organ while traveling through the blood stream. Water retention is one of the most common causes of swollen legs, but it usually causes both legs to swell.

Is leg swelling a sign of something serious?

Sometimes though, leg swelling may be a sign of something more serious. One possible problem is a blockage in your pelvic veins. One of your legs may swell when these veins are blocked. This condition typically comes on slowly. Rapid leg swelling, however, could be due to a blood clot deep in your vein.