If your legs are showing signs of swelling, there could be a variety of reasons for the excess water retention. Though it may not be cause for concern, swelling in the legs could indicate something more serious, so contact your doctor. Exercise is one way to relieve the swelling, but your doctor may also prescribe medication or advise you to wear special stockings.
Identification
Edema is any type of swelling caused by an abnormal buildup of fluid in the body's tissues. It typically occurs in the legs, ankles and feet, but can occur in other parts of the body as well. A number of reasons for swelling in your legs include standing or sitting in one position for too long, injury, being overweight, being older, pregnancy, menstruation or consuming too much salt. Other conditions, such as varicose veins, burns, malnutrition, surgery or infection, may also cause your legs to swell.
Considerations
Swollen legs may occur due to more serious conditions such as heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure, so consult your doctor if the swelling does not go away. Medications such as hormones, those for blood pressure, steroids or antidepressants can also cause edema in the legs. Complications include painful swelling, difficulty walking, stretched skin, stiffness, scarring or decreased blood circulation. Prostate, lung, liver, lymphomas, ovarian or abdominal cancers can also cause swelling in the legs.
Significance
Exercise helps get the excess fluid from your legs back to your heart. Moving around and stretching often is good for increasing your circulation. During cancer treatment, compression or removal of the lymph nodes in the lower body can cause swelling. Production of fluid in the abdomen or falling protein levels can leak fluid into your legs. Pumping your feet up and down and kicking your legs helps to get the blood moving as well as keeping the excess fluid from building up.
Types
Regular walking or exercise with light weights can help decrease edema. Leg exercises such as the standing calf raise will help get your blood moving. To perform this exercise, stand with your feet hip-width apart. Use a wall for support, if needed. Slowly rise up on your toes and slowly back on to your heels. Another leg exercise called the leg lift is also helpful in reducing edema. To perform this exercise, stand up straight with feet close together. Hold onto a chair to keep your balance. Slowly raise one leg in back of you, keeping it straight and slowly bring it back to the floor. Repeat with your other leg.
