Swelling in the legs, feet and ankles is a common problem faced by many people. It is caused by a buildup of fluid and is known as peripheral edema. This type of swelling is painless and usually occurs in the lower part of the body.
There are many possible reasons for swollen legs in men. These include:
- Age
- Excessive salt in the diet
- Being overweight
- Blood clots in the leg
- Infections in the legs
- Damaged leg veins that cannot pump blood back to the heart
- Injury to the legs
- Standing for long periods of time
- Long car or airplane rides
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
Swelling in the legs may also be caused by certain medications like:
- Antidepressants such as phenelzine, nortriptyline and amitriptyline
- Blood pressure medications known as calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, diltiazem and verapamil
- Hormones such as testosterone
- Steroids
The treatment for swollen legs will depend on the underlying cause of the swelling. One of the medications used to treat swelling in the legs is furosemide (Lasix), a diurectic. This is a type of drug that helps the body to get rid of the excessive fluids that cause swelling.
Apart from medications, there are several steps that can be taken to reduce swelling in the legs. These include:
- Keep your legs elevated while you are lying down. This can be done by keeping a couple of pillows or a folded blanket under your legs.
- Exercising your legs helps to pump fluid back towards the heart.
- Cut down on your salt intake as it causes water retention and may be responsible for the swelling in your legs.
- When taking long trips, avoid sitting for long periods of time. If you are driving, take periodic breaks.
- Avoid wearing tight clothes.
Two home remedies that you can try are parsley and mustard oil. Mustard oil when warmed and applied to swollen legs is reputed to help reduce the swelling.
Parsley is known to have a strong diuretic effect. Parsley can be eaten in a salad or made into a refreshing herbal tea. This can be done by adding 1 tsp. of dried parsley leaf to 1 cup of water and boiling the mixture. Allow the mixture to steep for 10 to 15 minutes before straining it and drinking the tea. You can drink this throughout the day.
However, it is strongly recommended that you consult your doctor before taking parsley or any other home remedy, especially if you are taking Lasix.
Reference:
answered by M W