Good for the elderly
Lower limb edema (or swelling) is frequent among older persons. It can be caused by a variety of factors. Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is the most prevalent cause of leg edema, accounting for approximately 70% of all cases (CVI). Oedema may also be caused by other critical conditions such as congestive heart failure, renal disease, and liver illness.
Swollen body parts are not only painful, but they may also be a symptom of edema in older persons. This dangerous ailment can manifest itself in any area of the body, but in older people it is most often shown as fluid oozing from the legs.
If your legs swell for no obvious reason, get medical attention immediately away, especially if you are experiencing unexplained leg discomfort, trouble breathing, chest pain, or any other symptoms that might indicate a blood clot in your lungs or a heart issue. Leg swelling can be caused by a variety of circumstances, each with a varied degree of severity.
Leg edema is a frequent problem that can be caused by a wide range of medical disorders, including diabetes. Leg swelling might be a symptom of a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention. Leg edema may be treated in a variety of ways depending on the individual and the underlying reason of the swelling.
Compression stockings are a type of compression stocking.
Here are some suggestions that may be useful in reducing swelling:
Untreated edema can cause more severe swelling, stiffness, trouble walking, stretch marks or itchy skin, wounds and scars, as well as reduced blood circulation.
The kidneys begin to respond by holding an increased amount of salt and water. Swelling occurs as a result of the fluid building up in the surrounding tissues.
Walking is the most effective weapon in the battle against swollen legs since it is so easy. Getting your legs moving means your circulation will increase, which will help to sweep up the fluid that has accumulated and move it.
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day, depending on your activity level. Getting adequate fluids, despite the fact that it may seem paradoxical, really helps to minimize edema. When your body isn’t getting enough water, it holds on to the fluid that it already has. Swelling is exacerbated as a result of this.
When Should You Seek Medical Attention for Swelling? If you experience abrupt, unexplained swelling in just one leg, or if it happens in conjunction with other symptoms such as chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Maintain an ice pack on your legs for about 20 minutes per hour for the first three days following the onset of symptoms. Heat should be avoided at all costs since it may exacerbate edema. Compression. Wrap your legs in an elastic bandage or put on compression stockings, which work by applying pressure to your legs to keep swelling down.
The use of some medications, such as high blood pressure medicine (antihypertensives), corticosteroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), has been linked to fluid retention.
Corticosteroids, loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, potassium-sparing/thiazide diuretic combinations, thiazide-like diuretics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and potassium-sparing diuretics are some of the drug classes that are commonly used to treat edema. Corticosteroids are also used to treat edema.