Why are my legs swollen in the heat? Summer swelling: where does excess fluid come from in the heat. Is swelling of the legs due to heat dangerous?

With the arrival of hot days, many people began to notice that their legs and / or hands were swollen. This phenomenon not only makes the human body less attractive, it can also indicate the presence serious problems with health. First, let's find out why swelling occurs.

Why do feet / hands / fingers swell in the heat

Swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid is called edema. If such edema occurs in the legs and/or arms, it is called peripheral edema. Water retention in the body is caused by expansion blood vessels in the limbs.

The cause of vasodilation can be heat, high humidity, or many other reasons. Due to expansion blood vessels fluid accumulates in the tissues, which is why they, in fact, swell. At the same time, puffiness only intensifies if a person long time motionless (standing or sitting in one position), because under the influence of gravity, all this fluid flows more and more into the arms and legs.

How to relieve swelling of hands and feet

Remember that, in addition to weather conditions, the cause of edema may be diseases of the kidneys or the cardiovascular system. In either case, your doctor will likely advise you to take diuretics (water pills) and limit your salt intake.

If you have not yet had time to see a doctor (which you definitely need to do), but swelling of your legs and arms bothers you, there are several ways to remove swelling.

Ways to reduce swelling in the hands and feet

1. Raise your legs. If you are sitting for a long time, put an ottoman, stool or chair under the table and rest your feet on it. If you manage to lie down, raise your legs above your head, put them on the back of the sofa, on the wall, or just on a few pillows. Let gravity do its thing - relieve swelling of the legs.

2. Walk more. If the feng shui in your office does not allow you to put more or less high support under your feet, try to take five-minute breaks and walk as often as possible (preferably every hour). This will improve circulation and help lymphatic system pump out excess fluid.

3. Compression stockings. If you have to stand for a long time during the day, wear compression tights, stockings or stockings. They help improve circulation.

4. Hand massage. If your hands are swollen, massaging both hands with your fingertips, moving from shoulder to wrist, can help improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. You can also perform the following exercise: keep your hands at chest level and begin to clench them into fists and unclench them.

In what cases can edema be dangerous?

Edema can be caused by quite serious health problems, among which, in addition to diseases of the kidneys and the cardiovascular system, doctors call liver disease, sleep apnea, allergies, taking certain medical preparations(for example: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antihypertensive drugs, corticosteroids, antidepressants, HRT) and chemotherapy.

Edema can also result from surgical removal or improper functioning of the lymph nodes, which are responsible for filtering fluid and cleansing the body of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.

In addition to possible serious illnesses, swelling of the arms and legs in severe cases can lead to skin ulcers. And they, in turn, can become a way of penetration serious infections skin. Also, chronic swelling of the legs and feet increases the risk of blood clots, which can enter the vital important organs(thromboembolism), which can be fatal.

Therefore, if, along with swelling of the arms or legs, you have the following symptoms: shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, pain or burning in the limbs or chest, fever - consult a doctor immediately - these symptoms may be a sign of thromboembolism.

Estet-portal strongly recommends: in case of chronic swelling of the legs and arms, even if you manage to get rid of the swelling with the help of the above recommendations, you should definitely consult a doctor to find out the cause of such swelling.

Often people experience swelling of the legs. Known causes of swelling lower extremities: drinking plenty of fluids, working on the legs, impaired kidney function, climatic conditions, a consequence of the habit of women to cross their legs, swelling of the legs in pregnant women, and so on.

Climatic conditions of heat greatly affect the functioning of the body. To understand why it is so hot in the heat, think about the structure of the human body. The primary function of the body in the heat is cooling. The body is cooled by the release of excess fluid - sweat. How more people consumes fluids, the more is excreted through the skin.

When the weather is hot outside, the body produces copious amount sweat. Often even healthy body can't handle bulky liquids. As a result, the appearance of edema is possible, the heart and kidneys cannot bear the excessive load.

Doctors believe that swelling in hot weather - natural process, which poses no danger. They appear from climatic conditions, special treatment do not require. But you need to watch the process. After all, the result of edema is a violation salt balance body and circulation.

There are cases when the size of the swelling on the lower extremities is different. The reasons are known - the veins on the leg with greater swelling are distinguished by a violation in their proper functioning. This is not dangerous, after taking simple measures, the swelling disappears. If the puffiness does not go away after a course of massage, rest, redness and felt pain appear in the places where edema appears, you need to consult a doctor.

How to avoid puffiness in the heat

If your legs swell in the heat, consider the rules to help avoid violations:

In the evening, make it a rule to give your feet a rest. Just lift for 10-15 min. Exercise increases the outflow of fluid from the legs.
Helps cold and hot shower. It is possible to repeat the procedure in the morning and in the evening, paying attention to the problem area.
Stick to a minimal diet. In the heat, do not eat copious amounts of sweet, spicy and salty foods. These products retain fluid in the body.
Reduce fluid intake to necessary minimum. In the heat, a person is recommended to consume no more than 3 liters of liquid, it is advisable to use unsweetened water without gas. Better fluid add some salt. Do lemon water by simply adding a slice of lemon. Thirst is caused by drinking alcohol. It is better to refrain from it in the heat. Or choose beer with a minimum alcohol content of 4%, dry white wine.

Helps fight dysfunction physical activity. Best suited for water activities. The usefulness of the activity lies in the fact that water puts pressure on the body, at the same time does not allow the vessels to expand. This prevents swelling. If you choose water aerobics and swimming, leg swelling in the heat will disappear with ease.

Dynamic activity has a positive effect on the functioning of the body. Specified ways help to avoid swelling even in pregnant women, if there are no medical contraindications. Exercise is a proven way to avoid swelling.

According to statistics, leg swelling is more common in women. They succumb to trends and fashion by choosing the wrong shoes. As a result, by the end of the working day, edema appears on the legs. Right choice orthopedic shoes reduce the likelihood of swelling in the legs.

If you follow the known rules, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of edema.

How to deal with edema without drugs

Before dealing with edema medicines, try to get rid of simple ways:

It is possible to get rid of edema with the help of traditional medicine. Before proceeding with the procedures, consult with your doctor. Baths are used: with sea salt or table salt, dry mustard, pine needles extract. Useful foot rubs. If the causes of swelling are varicose veins, it is strictly forbidden to take hot baths.

If there is no effect, consult a doctor for prescribing medication.

Treatment with medicinal plants

Plants are effective in the treatment of diseases. No exception - the fight against swelling on the legs. The only nuance of such prevention is swelling in pregnant women, personal intolerance to fruits, vegetables, allergic reaction. For pregnant women, before herbal medicine, you will need to consult a doctor, there are likely to be chances of drug treatment.

When puffiness occurs, eat vegetables and fruits with diuretic properties: strawberries, watermelon, cranberries, cranberries, juniper. Vegetables with similar properties are zucchini and cucumber. Add leafy vegetables to your diet: dill, lettuce, cumin, parsley, green onions - products normalize the functioning of the kidneys and heart. Vegetables and fruits are useful in getting rid of edema, improving the condition of the body. Useful infusions of herbs.

Swelling of the legs in the heat in pregnant women

Pay special attention to women. Causes are health conditions, changes in functioning internal organs and hot weather.

If edema occurs due to malfunctions in the functioning of organs, treatment is carried out under the watchful supervision of a gynecologist.

For pregnant women suffering from swelling in the legs, it is recommended special diet and control of fluid intake. You can not be limited in the water, you need to pay attention correct selection drinks. Eliminate coffee drinks and black tea from your diet. Eat diuretic vegetables, fruits, leafy vegetables. If there are no contraindications, physical activity is necessary, it is worth performing the exercises listed above.

If, despite the efforts, there is no result, it is recommended to seek the help of a doctor.

The problem of leg edema worries many not only from a cosmetic point of view. Discomfort, fatigue, discomfort in the lower extremities - this is a list of those sensations that those who suffer from swollen legs want to get rid of. There are several reasons for the appearance of edema, and many of them are not at all so harmless. Let's see why the legs swell in the heat, and what needs to be done.

What should I do if my legs swell in summer?

Swelling of the legs in summer is the result of excessive accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. In hot weather, people try to drink a lot of different drinks, they sweat more often. As a result, it breaks water-salt balance organism, the kidneys may not be able to cope with their task.

It is undesirable to drink carbonated drinks, it is better - herbal teas, fruit drinks or compotes, but without sugar.
You can drink water acidified with lemon.
Try to avoid salty, smoked and spicy foods.

Strongly swollen legs in the summer in the heat and with veins. The walls of the vessels become thinner under the influence of heat and a large volume of fluid and begin to let water into the intercellular space.

It is necessary to give the legs a rest more often, if possible, while lying down, raise the legs higher.
It is good to take a contrast shower in the morning and evening, giving Special attention legs - it improves blood circulation and strengthens blood vessels.

Those who are accustomed to wearing shoes or sandals on high heels, as well as with excessive squeezing of the legs tight shoes, legs can swell a lot during a hot period. Comfortable shoes are the key to healthy feet.

The category of those who are more prone to the appearance of edema includes people with a “standing” profession - hairdressers, sellers, surgeons and others. Those who have “sedentary” office work also suffer.

Be sure to do exercises for the legs, even the simplest. For example:

Rolling from heel to toe and back.
At home, you can roll a rolling pin or hard ball bare feet.

Still need to try to walk more.

What to do, with the help of folk remedies, if the legs swell in the summer?

Many are interested in what folk remedies exist for swelling of the legs in the summer. Summer is a rich time. This season, natural diuretics such as:

The patient will undergo a full examination, during which the cause of the accumulation of fluid will be found, and why the legs swell in the heat. If it turns out that the condition is not causing the disease, the doctor will advise effective ways combat swelling in the summer.

The mechanism of development of pathology

The main cause of leg swelling in the heat is the physiology of the human cardiovascular system, which is also responsible for overheating the body. At its core leg swelling in sunny weather is defense mechanism , preventing many backfire overheating.

The supply of oxygen to the lower extremities occurs due to the work of the heart and the pressure of arterial vessels. Venous outflow is carried out due to the valvular apparatus of the vessels. However, in hot weather, in order for the body temperature to remain within normal limits, the vessels dilate.

An increase in the lumen of the vessels prevents an adequate flow of blood through the veins and its stagnation begins.

This is the leading cause of swelling in the summer. However, the severity of the problem will depend on other factors, such as kidney function.

The second factor explaining why the legs swell in the heat and in sunny weather is sweating. It is also aimed at maintaining internal temperature organism. The mechanism of the formation of pathology lies in the fact that with sweat it is lost a large number of salts. Because of this, the oncotic pressure of the plasma drops, and the fluid enters the interstitial space, lingering there.

Also, swelling in the heat causes the following reasons:

excessive salt intake;
a large amount of liquid drunk;
excessive physical exercise(or vice versa, practically sedentary image life);
excess weight;
alcohol consumption;
wearing uncomfortable shoes;
pregnancy (in such women, legs can swell in any weather).

Pathological factors in the formation of edema

Constant swelling of the legs in hot weather is warning sign serious systemic disease.

Severe swelling of the legs in the heat indicates the failure of the cardiovascular system and the development of chronic heart failure.

They disturb patients evening time, and by the morning almost disappear. The problem begins with swelling of the feet, gradually spreading to the entire leg, abdomen, fingers and face. The condition of the leg is exacerbated in hot weather.

In violation of the functionality of the renal apparatus, edema also develops on the legs, however, they are accompanied by swelling of the face. The mechanism of formation of edema of the legs is that the kidneys are not able to remove all the excess fluid, and it accumulates in the intercellular space. This problem is a rather life-threatening condition, since gradually the work of the kidneys will deteriorate, as a result of which the excretion of all harmful substances from the body.

In the heat, women's legs swell due to varicose veins veins of the lower extremities. Men don't really care about this disease. Varicose disease is a hereditary problem and develops in girls with the following predisposing factors:

prolonged standing (standing work);
average age;
wearing high heels;
excess weight;
smoking;
overwork.

Swelling of the legs in the heat develops due to the fact that the elasticity of the veins deteriorates, the vessels expand, so the valves are disrupted.

Due to this, congestion is formed in the legs and edema appears. In hot weather, due to the protection mechanisms, the swelling only increases. Fight the pathology early stages can be done with stretch bandages.

The feet are often swollen from the heat in people with liver disease. This is especially true for patients with chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and other serious pathologies. swelling formed due to insufficient production of proteins by liver cells, and in the summer some of them are lost with sweating. A similar mechanism for the appearance of swelling on the legs in the heat of starving people.

Ways to deal with swelling in the heat

First of all, a person must perform simple preventive actions to avoid swelling in hot weather. These include:

after a long stay in a standing position, you should come home and lie down with your legs up for about a quarter of an hour;
twice a day it is recommended to take a contrast shower;
avoid salty, smoked and spicy food, as it causes thirst and retains water in the body, which contributes to the formation of swelling of the legs;
water should be consumed in large volumes (drinking soda and sweet water is not allowed);
if possible, you should perform water aerobics exercises (preferably in sea water).

If your legs swell in hot weather and you can’t fix the problem on your own, then you should consult a doctor to find out the causes of swelling.

Cardiovascular pathologies, kidney and liver diseases require specific drug treatment, which cannot be reproduced without the intervention of a narrow specialist.

Fight swelling in the legs with folk remedies or herbal diuretic drugs are not recommended, as the disease may worsen.

Found an error? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter

Summer is the time when you want to put on a miniskirt and show the world slender legs. But the problem is that it is in the heat that our legs begin to swell, especially in the evening. What will help to cope with this summer misfortune?

Normally, an absolutely healthy person, even in very strong heat, should not have edema. But first of all, absolutely healthy people almost never happens. Secondly, the heat plus a long stay on your feet (or vice versa, in a strictly sitting position) - doctors reluctantly admit that the edema becomes almost natural reaction to these extreme conditions.

How to determine swelling?

If, when you come home and take off your shoes, you find traces of sandal straps or socks, then mild degree swelling is present. It is the feet and ankles that swell most of all in the heat.

Much more dangerous if the swelling becomes pronounced. At the same time, the legs "swell": where there used to be a graceful bend during the transition from the ankle to the foot, now it is an almost flat surface, even the bone on the side disappears. Legs are heavy, buzzing, weigh like a ton.

The stronger the degree of swelling, the more extensive it is. You can find out that the shin began to swell by pressing your finger on the front surface, "pressing" the tissues to the bone. Let go and look: if the hole remains, then there is swelling.

Why do feet swell in hot weather?

When we are hot, we drink - and that's great. Just now the cardiovascular system and the kidneys do not always cope with the volume of water that must be removed from the body.

At the same time, we are still sweating. And this, it would seem, is good - there will be less swelling. In fact, not very much: together with sweat we lose salts, the task of which is to “pull out” excess blood and interstitial fluid from fabrics. She stagnates there - hence the swelling.

Less fluid - thicker blood, slower it runs through the veins. The veins expand from this, with difficulty they drive it from the limbs to the heart. And peripheral small vessels expand to prevent overheating of the body in the summer heat. And this further aggravates the stagnation of fluid in the tissues. By the way, with signs of varicose veins, there are more chances that the legs will swell.

Another reason is our love of travel. There is even a specific concept of "traveler's edema". Most often, legs swell in airplanes due to pressure drops and inactivity. But even during long trips by car, bus or train, swelling is not excluded, especially if you have to travel for many hours in an uncomfortable chair.

How to prevent swelling

Stretch regularly. Sit at the computer - take breaks every hour: walk, do a few squats, jump in place. On planes and buses, there is less opportunity to get up and out, so warm up right in your chair: rotate your feet, tighten your buttocks and thigh muscles, bend and unbend your knees, make your feet work with rolls from toe to heel.

Sleep. At least 7 hours a day. If only simply because lack of sleep leads to chronic stress, and both of these factors provoke the most various violations body work. And it’s good if you sleep with your legs raised up, for example, by placing a folded blanket under them. And do not deny yourself the pleasure of just lying in bed with your legs up for 15 minutes.

Drink. But smarter. Don't be thirsty: dehydration will cause your body to retain precious moisture and cause swelling (and a bunch of other problems) even more. Replace coffee and soda with clean water or unsweetened compotes, fruit drinks, herbal teas. Drink 2-2.5 liters of water on a hot day.

Do not self-medicate. Do not drink any diuretics on your own in an attempt to remove "excess fluid": all similar drugs should only be taken under medical supervision.

Feel free. Put aside tight shoes in which beauty requires inhuman sacrifices. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting shoes with low heels. Clothes - spacious, not constraining movements, made of natural fabrics.

Remember about water procedures. In the morning and in the evening - a contrast shower or at least contrast douches for legs. Make the evenings cool foot baths With sea salt to relieve fatigue and strengthen blood vessels.

Eat right. Lean less on salty, spicy, smoked, sweet: all this increases thirst and at the same time retains fluid. Eat dried fruits, they have a lot of potassium, which strengthens the heart muscle and blood vessels. Include in your diet more products rich in vitamin A. These are carrots, parsley, Bell pepper, sea buckthorn. Natural diuretics are also good, so they can be taken without a doctor's prescription: cucumbers, watermelons, plums, zucchini, strawberries. It is worth adding lingonberry leaves or dill seeds to tea.

Important: what edema is dangerous?

Swelling of the face. Of course, if before going to bed you ate salty, drank a liter of water (or anything intoxicating at all), do not be surprised that the next morning your eyelids are swollen, there are bags under your eyes, and there is a pillow mark on your cheek. But if nothing like this happened, and the face still swells, and the swelling captures the cheeks, nose, it is better to consult a doctor, this may indicate a violation of the kidneys.
Swelling of the hands. Few wedding ring? It makes sense to check the heart. This is also called for swelling of the lower abdomen, passing to the legs.
Regular and permanent. A one-time swelling that goes away in the morning is the body's reaction to heat. But if it turns into a system, lasts for several days, causes discomfort or pain - see a doctor!