Each person has experienced edema of the legs and arms at least once in a lifetime. Excessive loads, uncomfortable or new shoes - all this can lead to temporary “swelling” of the limbs. Typically, these symptoms do not last longer than 12 hours. Another thing is if the legs are constantly in a swollen state. In this case, it is already a pathological lymphatic edema - lymphostasis.
What is an ailment?
Lymphostasis is called an excess of fluid, which accumulates in the tissues of the subcutaneous tissue and is not excreted in normal mode (there is no outflow). Edema can appear on both the lower and upper limbs, but most often it affects the legs.
Lymphostasis belongs to the category of progressive sluggish diseases. Nevertheless, this does not mean that when edema appears, it must be ignored. If the lymphatic vessels are affected , this will cause minimal harm to the body, but if problems arise in the large ducts of the tissue, they will begin to deform. In advanced cases, doctors diagnose patients with developing lymphodema (this ailment requires more complex treatment).
Lymphatic edema of the hand is extremely rare, and usually affects the fair sex from the age of 35 years.
Causes
Most often, lymphostasis develops against the background of varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, thrombosis and trophic ulcers. Also, the pathology is diagnosed in the elderly and those who lead a sedentary, sedentary lifestyle. Lymphatic swelling of the legs often occurs in people with disabilities. Also, long bed rest and impaired blood circulation can lead to this disease.
In addition, at risk are people suffering from:
- congenital insufficiency of the lymphatic vessels;
- cancerous tumors;
- heart failure;
- injuries and burns of the upper and lower extremities;
- chronic venous insufficiency ;
- arterial and venous fistulas;
- streptococcal lesions;
- inflammation of the skin of the hands and feet;
- serious kidney disease;
- failures in the endocrine system.
In addition, lymphatic edema of the extremities may develop due to radiation therapy sessions.
Lymphostasis of the hands most often manifests itself after surgery. This ailment occurs mainly in women who have undergone surgery to remove part of the pectoral muscles.
Symptoms and stages of development
There are 3 degrees of manifestation of lymphostasis:
- Reversible spontaneous edema (lymphedema). This is the easiest stage of the disease, which manifests itself in the form of regular swelling of the legs in the evening. As a rule, all symptoms disappear after a night's rest. Edema of this type is clearly visible and usually appears after heavy physical exertion on the limbs. The swollen place is easily palpated. At the initial stage of development, the disease is treated with conservative methods and does not have a devastating effect on the body.
- Irreversible spontaneous edema (fibriderm). For the middle stage of lymphostasis, hardening of the skin is characteristic. This is due to the growth of connective tissue. Such swelling is clearly visible to the naked eye. They are very hard, when you click on the inflamed area, the patient feels severe pain due to stretched skin. Edema of this type is considered neglected. He does not disappear after rest. Due to the stiffened vessels in the bodice, new symptoms begin to develop - cramps and fatigue of the affected limb.
- Irreversible edema (elephantiasis). This stage of lymphostasis is the most difficult. Due to severe tissue damage, the limb is deformed, heavier and becomes almost motionless. The outflow of lymph is completely impaired. In diseased tissues, foci of fibrocystic lesion appear. Elephantiasis is not treatable and in some cases can be fatal.
Is lymphostasis dangerous
The initial stages of the disease do not pose a high risk. However, it must be borne in mind that lymphatic edema affects the quality of life of the patient. The affected limbs hurt quite a lot, coma of this, against the background of the ailment, infectious diseases develop. If the skin on the swollen leg bursts, then dangerous bacteria can enter the body through the wound, which will lead to a whole "bunch" of new ailments.
With the appearance of prolonged edema, you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
Diagnostics
First of all, the doctor examines the limb with lymphatic edema and determines the stage of development of the pathology. After this, a number of diagnostic measures are prescribed that allow you to more accurately determine the degree of tissue damage, foci of inflammation and possible complications:
- urine and blood tests;
- vein scan;
- Ultrasound
- lymphography.
In some cases, a CT scan or an MRI scan is performed. Based on the data received, the doctor prescribes a course of medications and procedures.
Lymphatic edema: treatment
In order to cure the disease, it is necessary to restore the outflow of lymph from the limbs. Most often, edema is removed by non-surgical method, by compression therapy, massage and medication. At more advanced stages, surgical intervention is required - reconstruction of the lymphatic outflow tract.
Regardless of the degree of the disease, the patient should regularly visit an angiosurgeon and treat kidney, heart and venous vessel diseases on time.
Preparations
From lymphatic edema of the legs, there are many different medications that can be both aggressive and more conservative. To restore normal lymph circulation, reduce vascular permeability and increase their elasticity, it is recommended to take the following tablets:
- Troxevasin and Detralex are phlebotropic drugs that stimulate the outflow of excess fluid from blood and tissues.
- "Wobenzym" and "Flobenzym" - belong to the category of enzyme preparations that increase immunity and reduce swelling.
- Coumarin is a benzopyron that reduces swelling and thins the blood.
- "Lymphomiazot" is a homeopathic medicine that restores fluid outflow. Also, when it is taken, the elimination of toxins from human blood is accelerated. This drug is considered the most harmless. It can be taken fearlessly for the treatment of lymphatic leg edema in the elderly and pregnant women.
In addition to these drugs, doctors prescribe diuretics, antiplatelet agents, and immunomodulators. It will not be superfluous to start taking vitamin complexes (P, PP and E), which reduce vascular permeability.
Doctors are not against folk remedies for edema if they are taken together with the prescribed course of treatment.
ethnoscience
In order to relieve lymphatic edema at home, you can prepare simple decoctions and apply compresses. Here are some good recipes:
- Compress of honey and onions. To prepare it, you need to chop one onion and add 1 tablespoon of tar to the resulting mass. After that, a little honey is poured into the mixture. Such a compress should be applied overnight.
- Honey-garlic tincture. To prepare it, grind 250 g of garlic. After that, the resulting mass is mixed with 300 ml of liquid honey and infused in a cool dark place for 7 days. Take the infusion once a day before meals, 1 tablespoon. The course of treatment is 2 months.
- A decoction of plantain. To prepare it, you need to brew 1 teaspoon of grass with a glass of boiling water. The course of treatment is 2 months. A decoction of 70 ml is taken daily before meals.
- Royal jelly. From this natural product, you can make compresses or drink it in its pure form. If you mix in equal proportions royal jelly and honey, then this will enhance the effectiveness of the product.
If the legs constantly swell in the evenings, it is recommended to do the baths with a succession. 6 tablespoons of dry grass are added to 2-3 liters of boiling water. After this, you need to wait until the liquid cools down a little, and the series swells. When the water temperature drops slightly, it is necessary to lower the swollen leg into the bath for 20 minutes. Such procedures can be performed 3 times a day, but not more than 3 weeks.
Physiotherapy
In addition to medications and traditional medicine, physiotherapeutic procedures, which include:
- massages;
- compression bandages;
- physiotherapy exercises.
Massage procedures - this is one of the most effective methods that will get rid of unpleasant sensations. To perform this procedure, it is not necessary to visit cosmetology or medical centers. You can remove a small swelling at home. To do this, rhythmically massage the skin of the swollen area. Movement should be smooth, no more than 12 clicks per minute. Massage is often not recommended. Limbs should be massaged no more than 1 hour per day.
However, do not get involved in self-medication, as any unpleasant symptoms can be signs of more dangerous diseases. Therefore, it is worth consulting a doctor and clarifying whether this pathology is dangerous.