Generalized Extremity Swelling Care At Home - Curodoc Healthcare

 GENERALIZED EXTREMITY SWELLING CARE AT HOME

Edema or more commonly swelling is due to storage and buildup of excess fluid in your tissues. It can accumulate anywhere in the body, although it is more common in the hands, arms, feet, ankles, and legs. It can be caused by a lot of things but most commonly heat, exercise, or medical conditions.

Peripheral edema is swelling of your lower legs or hands. The cause may be simple, such as sitting for too long on a plane or standing for too long. Or it may involve a more serious underlying disease.

Peripheral edema is common in older adults and pregnant women, but it can occur at any age. It may affect one or both legs. If its onset is sudden and painful, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Idiopathic edema means swelling for which the cause is not known. It is most common in young women in their 20s and 30s and can involve weight gain and swelling of the face, trunk, and limbs. It’s also associated with diabetes, obesity, and emotional problems.

Signs of Edema Include:

• Swelling or puffiness of the tissue.
• Stretched or shiny skin.

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Temporary Conditions That Can Cause Swelling:

Injury: A sprain/strain, fracture, or any colliding or twisting injury in your leg, ankle, foot, or hand can result in swelling and pain.

Infection:

Sitting or standing for prolonged duration: Flights or car rides that require you to sit in the same position with your legs bent at 90 degrees can cause the legs and ankles to swell. This is highly common in frequent fliers/travelers and not serious.

Pregnancy: Eighty percent of pregnant women develop edema, usually in the hands, feet, and face. It is temporary and goes away after delivery.

Excessive salt intake: Intake of salty food or add-on salt in your diet can cause your body to retain fluids, leading to extremity swelling.

Drug reactions: Some common important medications can also cause water retention. Some of them are high blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, calcium channel blockers, diabetes drugs, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and proton pump inhibitors.

Allergic reaction: Allergy can cause swelling in your arms and legs, often called angioedema.

Obesity: Excess body weight can cause increased pressure on the veins which can result in peripheral edema.

Wearing tight clothing: Tight pants or leggings can promote swelling in the legs.

Diseases associated with edema

Swelling can be easily managed and need to require a lot of interventional treatment. However, continuous long-term edema can cause serious diseases like

• Venous insufficiency
• Varicose veins
• Blood clot
• Heart failure
• Pericarditis
• Preeclampsia
• Cirrhosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Renal failure
• Lymphedema and several others

Treatment

• For any type of edema, several home remedies can help provide relief:
• Elevate your legs (or arms) above the level of your heart a few times a day.
• Sleep with a pillow under your legs at night.
• Exercise.
• Reduce your intake of salt.
• Massage the affected area to gently push fluid in the direction of your heart.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight
• Physiotherapy sessions for joint exercises and management.
• Take a diuretic (water pill) if your doctor prescribes it.

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You should seek emergency medical care if you have sudden swelling in just one leg/arm or if it occurs along with other symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch.

Curodoc Healthcare offers home healthcare services in Delhi-NCR with scheduled visits or live-in caregivers who are qualified, trained, and compassionate to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life. To learn more about our comprehensive at-home services and contact us to arrange a complimentary consultation.