Why elevate legs for edema

Repeat throughout the day : How frequently you should elevate your legs depends on the person. Try out times per day for minutes, and if the swelling is still there, repeat a few more times. Adjust the frequency over time : When the swelling and pain starts to get better, you can elevate them less frequently, even down to once a day if desired. Swollen legs and feet are often painful, so taking some time out of your day to elevate them is extremely beneficial.

The many benefits will give you results without the need for anti-inflammatory medication or visits to the doctor. Shop our reliable lift chairs to make the process even more simple and comfortable!

Categories: Merrick Surgical. Categories: Golden Technologies , Lift Chair. How to Safely Get Rid of Edema. Benefits to Leg Elevation Reduces swelling : Lack of elevation means gravity is in constant effect, causing a buildup of swelling in your legs and feet.

Elevating Your Legs Correctly Above the heart : For the best results, elevate your legs high enough to be above your heart. If you notice swelling in your feet or legs, you should definitely tell your primary care doctor.

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When talking to your doctor, make sure to mention if you noticed what makes the swelling better or worse. Your doctor will want to know how long it has been present and whether there has been any change to the pattern of the swelling. Some patients get referred to a vascular medicine specialist for evaluation of their swelling.

During your first visit, your doctor will go into a bit of a detective mode to determine what might be the cause. Is the swelling in one leg or both? Could this be from a medication? Is the swelling painful? Common medications linked to leg swelling include some blood pressure and pain medicine.

Your doctor will examine your legs and ask what time of day the swelling is worse, what seems to trigger it and what helps relieve it. Where is the location of the swelling? Does it affect the foot and toes or does it start at the ankle?

How far up the leg does it extend? Is there a change over the course of the day and improvement overnight? Sleep : How long do you sleep at night? Difficult lymphoedema may need more specilaised therapy. What is lymphoedema? We all have a small amount of fluid lymph in our body tissues. This fluid leaves our blood system to provide water and nourishment to the tissues. Most of this fluid is collected by a system of drainage tubes, similar to blood vessels, called the lymphatic system.

Lymphoedema is swelling which is due to a build up of lymph in the limbs if the fluid is not draining out properly. To start with, the swelling is often noticeable at the end of the day and goes down at night. However, unless the swelling is treated properly, the fluid becomes fixed in the leg permanently.

What causes lymphoedema? The most common cause for lymphoedema is that you were born without enough lymphatics. If there are very few lymphatics then the swelling may start as a teenager or even earlier.

This type of lymphoedema is called Milroy's Disease. One leg is often worse than the other and sometimes only one leg is affected. In less severe cases the lymphatics may be able to cope initially and only start to fail when you are older. This kind is sometimes called Lymphoedema Tarda.

Are there any other causes? Lymphoedema can also be caused if the lymphatics of the arm and leg are damaged by surgery or radiotherapy for the treatment of cancer. Sometimes this is unavoidable if the cancer is to be cured.

What are the effects of lymphoedema? Apart from the uncomfortable and unsightly swelling, lymphoedema can cause problems, especially if it is not kept under control.

There is an increased risk of infection under the skin cellulitis and repeated attacks of cellulitis lead to more lymphatic damage. This vicious circle may eventually lead to severe infections, ulcers and even amputation in extreme cases. What is the treatment? Lymphoedema cannot be cured but it can usually be controlled so that complications do not occur later.

The mainstays of treatment are compression bandages or stockings, elevation of the limb and external pneumatic compression. Elevation of the limb Whenever the leg is elevated, fluid will tend to drain out of it.