Edema occurs when excess fluid is trapped in your body’s tissue, causing swelling in any part of your body, mostly in the legs and feet. The causes of edema are numerous; it can result from standing or sitting for too long or a serious disease such as congestive heart failure or liver cirrhosis. Because Port Saint Lucie leg swelling can be a sign of a serious problem, it is vital to see your doctor for a medical diagnosis to establish the cause.
Meanwhile, you can use the following tips at home to reduce swelling.
Consume more potassium-rich foods
A potassium deficiency can result in high blood pressure and water retention, which worsens keg swelling. Unless you have dietary restrictions, consider eating foods rich in potassium, such as white beans, sweet potatoes, salmon, chicken, bananas, and pistachios, among many others. Replace soda with orange juice or low-fat milk, Supplements are also an easy way to increase your potassium intake, but it is best to consult your doctor before adding more potassium to your diet. This is especially true if you have medical conditions like kidney issues.
Exercise
Exercise is a great way of minimizing leg swelling since it helps your leg muscles function properly, promoting proper blood flow throughout your body. Therefore, instead of sitting or standing for long periods, get moving. Walking is a simple exercise, yet a great way to work your leg muscles. If you are stuck at a desk and can’t walk around, consider bending your knee in a match-line manner or rotating your feet at your ankles.
Stay hydrated
It might seem counterintuitive, but getting enough fluids helps minimize the swelling. Do not deprive yourself of water; when you do this, your body retains fluid instead of excreting it through sweat or urine, resulting in swelling. Therefore, if you have edema, drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily to not worsen the swelling.
Because dehydration causes your body to hold on to fluids, you want to avoid alcohol since it causes your body to remove fluids from the blood faster, causing dehydration.
Wear compression stockings
Compression stockings work by steadily squeezing your legs and feet to prevent fluid accumulation. You can find compression stockings online or at your local drugstore; these offer the least pressure. They come in various designs, lengths, colors, weights, and compressions; socks with 12mm to 15mm of mercury are good for a start.
Raise your legs
Edema is a sign that your body is retaining excess fluids, so encouraging fluid drainage in the affected areas can help reduce the swelling. One way to encourage fluid drainage is by elevating your legs for 30 minutes to an hour when possible. You can do this by propping your feet with a footrest or a pillow. Leg elevation is simple yet one of the most effective home remedies for edema in the legs and feet.
If the swelling worsens or does not improve with the above measures, visit your doctor at TLC Medical Group Inc for further treatment.