In medical terms the swelling of the leg is defined as Edema. It may occur due to a number of reasons. One of the most common of them is by the retention of fluid, therefore blood or lymph in between the spaces of the cells.
It may typically affect the joints in the ankles, feet, and lower part of the legs causing them to swell rapidly in some cases. Sometime it is observed that in some cases the swelling may also occur due to a number of factors such as due to some allergic reactions within the body or because of reaction of drugs especially hormones & birth control in cases of women, or because of neuro-muscular disorders or even a poor diet having a high salt content.
Symptoms of swelling:
It is often seen that a person suffering from a swollen leg may experience that swelling increases gradually along with the progress of the day. The swelling may also be accompanied by pitting. It is a state or condition of in which if the swollen part when pressed with a finger for a few seconds does not regain its original position thus forming a pitt or an indention in that region.
Continuous or prolonged swelling may give rise to skin ulcerations. Although swelling of the leg does not possesses any serious threat in general but in some cases it may be the messenger to more complicated health problems such as heart failure, liver disorders and malfunctioning of the kidney.
Remedies cures and medical treatments:
Some common precautions may really prove helpful in relieving swelling. These may include elevation of the legs above the heart level while sleeping or lying down. Support socks & stockings and avoiding tight or improper fitting clothes along with a regular light exercises with minimal pressure on the back of the knees and thighs may also help in reducing the swelling to a great extent.
A diet with a low percentage of salts should be preferred when the causative agent of the swelling is sodium. Implementation of a compression pump may prove fruitful in pumping the fluid back to the blood vessels.
Swollen Joints
A joint is a place in the body where two bones meet or intersect each other which give ease to the locomotor movement of the specific organ or a specific limb. Swelling in the joints can be in different locations of the body which may include knee swelling, finger swelling, elbow swelling, etc.
Swelling in the joints may occur due to more than one reason but in general it is the outcome of fluid accumulation in the soft tissues of the joints such as accumulation of water in the knees. Swelling in the joints is sometimes accompanied by joint pains.
Causes & Symptoms:
One of the proficient reasons of joint swelling is Arthritis which is categorized into acute gouty arthritis & chronic gouty arthritis. Acute gouty arthritis is defined as a defect in metabolism which results in the over production of uric acid or reduced capacity of the kidney to eliminate the uric acid contents of the body.
It is further marked by the deposition of the uric acids in the various joints of the body especially in the feet & leg joints along with severe pain. Spondylitis is an important factor which may lead to the swelling of the joints in the vertebral column.
It results in the inflammation of the vertebrae & the joints between the spine & the pelvis. The last phase of the disease causes the affected portion of the vertebrae to fuse or to grow together. Ludwig's angina which results in the swelling in the joints of the mouth is actually a type of bacterial infection which causes inflammation of the soft tissues present within the floor of the mouth under the tongue.
Another disease which eventually gives rise to a swelling of a joint is the Pseudo gout which is mainly caused by the collection of calcium pyrophosphate crystals in joints in different parts of the body.
Medical cures And Prevention:
To reduce arthritis Colchicines is widely used which is very effective in reducing the inflammation & swelling as well as the pain within a very short span of time. A regular use of the medicine also helps to prevent future attacks of the deadly disease.
The main goal for the treatment of spondylitis involves the relief of joint pain & swelling along with prevention & correction of the deformities caused. In such cases anti inflammatory medications such as aspirin are used to reduce the inflammation & pain.
Specific exercises on regular basis are also prescribed to the patients which help in the improvement of the posture & breathing. When the pain & the joint damage are severe surgery is undertaken.
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