Lymphostasis of the legs is one of the types of chronic diseases in which the circulation of lymph, the biological fluid of the body, is impaired. The latter is formed in the tissue, begins to accumulate in the lymphatic capillaries and from there spreads throughout the body. If there are violations of the outflow of fluid, then there may be severe swelling.
Pathology Features
In the process of developing lymphodema, the functioning of the lymphatic system is disrupted. In addition, tissue drainage also stops. Lymphatic edema is the main symptom of leg lymphodema. If a disease occurs, one or both legs may swell. The disease occurs in both men and women. But, as medical practice shows, in women this problem appears much more often.
You should know that the disease does not go away on its own, so it is important to carry out timely and comprehensive treatment. Pathology is dangerous in that it is able to progress and move into more complex forms, in which legs thicken.
The main causes of the disease
Why do legs swell? The cause of swelling of the lower extremities can only be determined by a doctor, after examining the patient. The disease can be either congenital or acquired. In the first case, the disease is characterized by a violation of the structure of the lymphatic system - some lymphatic vessels may be absent. Pathology can be detected at a young age. And the acquired lymphodema of the legs in frequent cases develops as a result of:
- leg injuries;
- the appearance of a tumor that compresses the lymphatic vessels;
- disorders in the cardiovascular system;
- damage to the lymphatic vessel on the leg during surgery;
- kidney disease;
- insufficient amount of protein in the body;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- bacterial disease.
If one of the symptoms of the disease occurs, it is important to immediately seek help from your doctor and start treatment for leg lymphodema, as self-medication can provoke the development of the disease.
What is the danger?
With each subsequent stage of the disease, the patient's health condition worsens. During the development of primary lymphodema, soft and reversible edema can turn into difficult to treat and dense formations. If timely treatment of the disease in the second stage is not carried out, then elephantiasis occurs, which prevents a full and active lifestyle, provokes the development of other pathologies.
The third stage of the pathology is the most dangerous of all, since the blood flow of the lower extremities is disrupted, as a result of which red patches appear on the skin that turn into a trophic ulcer. Grade 3 disease is often accompanied by an infectious complication. In addition, oncological formations may occur.
Symptoms of pathology
Before treating lymphatic lymph nodes of the legs, it is necessary to analyze the symptoms that arise in the patient during the development of the disease. You should know that it is impossible to diagnose at home, therefore it is important to consult a doctor. Among the main symptoms of the disease are:
- The occurrence of edema that appears every day. An unpleasant symptom does not disappear after a full sleep. From physical activity, edema increases. At this stage of the disease, the connective tissue does not grow. The epidermis is pale in color and soft.
- When fibroadenoma occurs, edema does not go away at all. The patient experiences pain during palpation, there is dense skin of the limbs. After examining the leg with a doctor, traces of pressure remain. A person cannot walk for a long time because his legs are very tired. Seizures often occur. The skin takes on a dark color.
- At the last stage of the development of the disease, connective tissue grows significantly. The skin takes on a blue tint and becomes rough. The patient experiences pain in the area of edema, the legs noticeably thicken and look rough. Ulcers occur on the skin, and a nephrotic and inflammatory process develops. The joints cease to function fully.
If one of the symptoms appears, it is forbidden to self-medicate, since the disease can progress and go into more complex forms. It is not necessary to waste time on useless therapy, it is important to consult a qualified doctor. After a thorough medical examination, the doctor will prescribe a suitable treatment for leg lymphodema.
Diagnostic measures
How is the diagnosis of leg lymphodema? In the process of examining patients, it is important to diagnose lymphatic vessels and veins. If there is a suspicion of lymphostasis, it is necessary to assess the state of subcutaneous fat and determine how strong lymph stagnation in the tissue. With the help of ultrasound, CT, MRI, the doctor examines the patient. To clarify the diagnosis, it is necessary to pass a general blood test. If destructive changes are present, microflora should be sown.
Treatment process
Based on the diagnostic results obtained, the specialist prescribes suitable medications that will help overcome the disease. In the process of treating lymphodema, it is important to follow all the doctor's recommendations - this will help the patient recover faster. Among the main tips of specialists are:
- Do not go to the bathhouse or sauna;
- comfortable shoes made of natural material should be worn;
- Do not engage in heavy physical labor;
- in case of minor damage to the skin, it is necessary to treat the affected area with an antibacterial agent;
- It is not recommended to sit in one place for a long time;
- not recommended to walk barefoot on the street;
- Do not wear tight underwear;
- do pedicures regularly.
Only a doctor should prescribe medications. It is forbidden to engage in self-medication, as this can provoke the development of serious health complications. With the help of Troxevasin, Detralex, Venarus, Lyoton, Troxerutin, Eskusan, Zenith, Furosemide, Heparin, Phlebodia, Torasemide, the patient is treated. The duration of the course of treatment and dosage are determined strictly by the doctor, depending on the severity of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.
The use of folk remedies
Before treating lymphatic leg infections with a folk remedy, it is important to coordinate the method with a doctor. Thanks to traditional medicine, you can get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of the disease and improve overall well-being.
- With the help of an infusion of plantain leaves, you can get rid of edema. Infusion should be drunk several times a day, the dosage is determined by the doctor.
- Dandelion root infusion will also help eliminate swelling. The medicine must be drunk before meals in the morning.
- It is recommended to keep a dandelion compress for about 40 minutes. Feet after the procedure should be wrapped in warmth.
Before starting treatment with alternative methods, you need to visit a doctor.
Massotherapy
Why do legs swell? The cause of swelling of the lower extremities may be banal fatigue. Therapeutic massage will help to improve the well-being of the patient. Many argue that such a physiotherapeutic procedure will even help cure lymphostasis. During the massage, muscle function and blood circulation improves. It is not recommended to carry out this type of treatment before surgery.
In the first few minutes it is necessary to massage the skin very easily. Thanks to such actions, blood circulation will improve. We begin to massage the warmed part of the body stronger, gradually pressing. We alternate massaging movements - this will positively affect the functioning of blood vessels. The duration of the session is 15 minutes, the course of treatment lasts about 2 weeks.
Nutrition during the treatment
To recover faster, it’s important to eat right. Proper nutrition improves lymph circulation and eliminates congestion in the limbs. It is important not only to change the diet, but also to reduce the usual servings. Individually for each patient, the doctor selects a diet. Leg lymphodema can be cured only by complex therapy. It is advisable not to eat flour, sweet products. Drink plenty of fluids. It is forbidden to drink alcohol. You should exclude from the diet that food, which contains a large amount of protein.
Note to patient
If swelling occurs, consult a doctor. If swelling does not go away after a good rest, then this indicates that a serious illness is developing. Under such conditions, it is necessary to carry out medical diagnostics in order to prevent the development of pathology.
To achieve the most positive result from therapy, it is important not only to drink medicines, but also to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat right, follow the advice of your doctor. Any drug and elastic stockings should be prescribed strictly by a specialist, depending on the severity of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient's body. Any alternative methods of treatment are forbidden to use if other serious pathologies are present. Herbs and infusions have the same powerful effect as medicines, so you need to be careful and not self-medicate.