How to treat foot swelling in the elderly?

Some elderly people often have swollen legs, especially after sedentary. Press the calf with your hand, one pit at a time.

Leg edema in the elderly is partly related to heart, kidney, liver and endocrine diseases, and a considerable part is idiopathic senile edema. This edema is mostly caused by the loose subcutaneous tissue space of the elderly and the easy infiltration of water into the tissue space. In addition, the vasomotor function and sweat gland secretion function of the elderly decrease, the water evaporated through the skin decreases, the heart, lung and kidney functions decrease, and the endocrine function is not stable enough. These factors combine to make the water and sodium in the body stay in the subcutaneous space and aggravate subcutaneous edema.

For senile edema, we must first find out the cause. If it is related to the disease, we should actively control the primary disease; It belongs to idiopathic edema and does not need treatment. No matter what causes edema of lower limbs, we should pay attention to diet and life conditioning, properly supplement protein, strengthen exercise, and wear shoes and socks with appropriate elasticity to prevent skin damage. When edema is severe, you can take traditional Chinese medicines such as Radix Astragali, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Poria Peel, Pericarpium Citri Tangerinae and Atractylodis Rhizoma. These drugs should be used reasonably under the guidance of doctors. Varicose veins of lower limbs may cause edema. Edema caused by cardiovascular system and nephropathy often begins at the ankle. Chronic diseases caused by skin and subcutaneous lymphatic diseases are called cutaneous lymphangiopathy. Lymphatic vessels in the lesion lost their transport ability, resulting in lymphatic stagnation. This leads to serious obstacles of protein and water metabolism in tissues. Cutaneous lymphangiopathy will eventually become so-called rubber disease. This refers to the frequent edema and severe deformation of the lower limbs, mainly the feet.

Sometimes it is disease-free edema, which may be caused by collision and dislocation. In addition, excessive physical burden, two to three flat feet, abnormal lymphatic vessels, long-term walking or standing, improper sitting posture, etc. will all cause edema: sitting in a high chair, feet do not touch the ground; Cross your legs; Sitting in a chair that is too low; Shoes that don't fit will also swell. Pregnant women and varicose vein patients are prone to edema. After rest, the edema will subside. When the weather is hot, edema will get worse.

What if the legs and feet are swollen? Prevention and control can do the following:

1, don't change shoes for one day.

2. Do easy leg exercises every day to eliminate tension and promote blood circulation.

After long-term activities, you must have a rest. You can massage or gently touch. It should be noted that massage or stroking must start with your feet.

4. When edema occurs, protect the swollen part with elastic bandage or elastic socks during the day.

5. When sleeping at night, put your legs up.

6. Always do a simple foot exercise. When watching TV, you can roll the ball or stick it with your toes.

7. Skiing and swimming have good therapeutic effects.

8. Reduce salt and water intake.

9. After doing housework every night, lie on your back on the ground with your legs high and lean against the wall 10 minutes.

10, don't carry an overweight backpack and don't wear high heels.

If the edema does not subside after rest and treatment, the edema area becomes hard and the skin temperature rises, you must go to the hospital to find a doctor.