7 Most Common Causes for Leg Swelling

More than 100 muscles and 26 bones in our legs work daily to support our body weight as we walk, run, dance, and jump. Our activity tires our legs quite a lot, so it is not surprising that one of the most common complaints of most people is swelling of the legs.

Sometimes, the problem can be in hereditary health conditions such as flat feet. In this case, it should be addressed by the foot doctor. But mostly it happens due to lifestyle issues. There are 7 main reasons for leg swelling.

1. Sitting or standing for 6 hours or more

People who work on their feet all day often feel like their shoes are crushing them at the end of the day. This is due to the fact that when standing for a long time, blood circulation slows down.

Similarly, it happens with a sedentary job or lifestyle. And if at the same time, a person often sits cross-legged, this blocks the blood circulation even more.

As a rule, swelling that occurs when standing or sitting for a long time is not a signal of health problems. To reduce it, it is enough to walk or at least sit straight without crossing your legs.

When working for a long time in a standing position, you need to take a short break every hour to sit down or do a light workout. If this is not possible, doctors recommend wearing compression stockings to prevent swelling.

2. The overconsumption of salt

The sodium contained in salt retains fluid in the body, messing up the water balance and causing swelling. The American Heart Association recommends that adults consume no more than one teaspoon (2-3 grams) of salt per day.

Please note that it is necessary to assume not only salt in its pure form but also the amount contained in prepared foods and products.

3. Pregnancy

Swelling of the legs is a fairly common occurrence during pregnancy, especially starting from the second trimester. Experts explain this by the fact that with the growth of the child, the pressure on the veins of the small pelvis increases, and blood circulation is disturbed.

The longer the gestation period lasts, the stronger the swelling can be. As a rule, in this case, there is no reason to worry. However, if the face and hands begin to swell, you should consult a doctor.

The position in which a pregnant woman sleeps is also important. Sleeping on your back leads to the squeezing of blood vessels. To reduce swelling, you should move as much as possible, and sit and stand less. To improve blood circulation, experts recommend raising the legs above heart level, wearing compression stockings, and applying cold compresses to the feet.

4. Obesity

In overweight people, swelling of the legs is a fairly common occurrence. With obesity, blood circulation in the legs is disturbed, and the outflow of blood and lymph slows down, resulting in edema.

5. Leg and foot injuries

With sprains and fractures during training, outdoor games with children, or running, as well as after operations on the foot, swelling of the feet often occurs. In this case, doctors recommend raising the legs above the level of the heart and applying a cold compress.

6. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

During PMS and menstruation, many women experience increased swelling. Particularly pronounced is the swelling of the legs and feet.

In addition, hormonal changes can lead to swelling if you take hormonal contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. In this case, it is necessary to increase the amount of fluid you drink, limit salt intake, and do exercises that improve blood circulation.

To prevent infections that can enter the bloodstream through cracks and abrasions on the legs, it is necessary to moisturize the skin of the legs more often.

7. Skin infections

Legs can swell with skin infections. As a rule, such swelling is accompanied by redness and hyperthermia of the affected area. People with diabetes and peripheral vascular disease are at high risk for skin infections.

With the deterioration of blood circulation in the upper and lower limbs, infections develop faster. Some diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis, also increase the risk of leg swelling.