Edema, or swelling, in the legs may occur for a variety of reasons, including standing for long periods, carrying excess pounds, pregnancy, aging, menstrual cycle and injury to the leg. Other conditions also may cause the legs to swell, such as a blood clot, varicose veins and infections in the leg.
Elevation and Medications
Keeping the legs elevated on several pillows when in bed at night will help decrease swelling. Elevation of the legs should be done during the day for at least a half hour at a time. This also helps decrease fluid in the legs, Drugs.com reports. Prescription diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide and metolazone primarily used for blood pressure control, can reduce fluid levels in the body, Mayo Clinic reports. For edema related to arthritis, the person can use over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, naproxen sodium and ibuprofen. NSAIDs work to reduce inflammation and swelling.
Support Hose
Wearing support stockings will help to release the fluid from the legs back to the heart. The doctor also may recommend compression stockings, which add increased pressure to the legs, forcing to the fluid to return to the heart from the legs. The person needs to change the stockings at least every eight hours, taking off one set of stockings and putting another pair on. Support hose are available for both men and women.
Avoid Salt
Cutting down on salt intake in the diet will help decrease fluid retention, Drugs.com reports. Salt causes fluids to stay in the body's tissue, causing edema in the legs. The doctor will recommend a low-salt diet to help with this. Processed foods such as canned goods and pre-prepared meals can contain extreme amounts of salt without the person adding any. Even common condiments such as ketchup and mustard contain salt.
Movement
Moving the legs and exercising them remains important in promotion of circulation. Circulation of fluids from the legs will increase with exercise. Moving just the legs will help. The person suffering with edema in the legs should exercise every day. Walking helps to reduce fluid in the legs considerably, MedlinePlus reports.
