Usually, edema occurs in the legs when sitting or standing in one place for a long time. However, there may be the following serious reasons behind chronic edema:
1. Excessive salt consumption
When salt (sodium) is added to the food we eat, the body starts to store more water. This quickly causes edema in the arms and legs.
2. Kidney problems
The kidneys remove excess water and toxins from the blood. When the kidneys fail, fluids accumulate in the body, which mainly appears as edema around the eyes and in the legs.
3. Heart Failure
When the heart is unable to pump blood properly, blood accumulates in the veins. This causes edema in the lower limbs, such as the legs and sometimes in the lungs.
4. Liver Diseases (Liver Cirrhosis)
When the liver is not functioning properly, the level of a protein called ‘Albumin’ decreases. This causes water to leak out of the blood vessels and cause swelling in the abdomen and legs.
5. Side Effects of Medications
Some blood pressure medications, strong painkillers, steroids, and some diabetes medications can cause swelling in the body.
6. Thyroid Problems
Swelling in the face and hands is common in people with hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). This is due to a slowdown in the body’s metabolism.
3 Simple Ways to Reduce Swelling:
Reduce Salt: Reducing the amount of salt in your diet can help reduce swelling immediately.
Elevate Your Legs: Keeping your legs slightly above the level of your heart while sitting or lying down can improve blood flow.
Regular exercise: Moving your muscles can help push stagnant fluid back into the bloodstream.