Leg Swelling, also known as edema is a condition characterized by excess fluid accumulating in leg tissues, resulting in puffy legs. This ailment can affect either one or both legs and can result in symptoms like discomfort, tightness, or a feeling of heaviness in the legs. You might even notice stretched skin with some areas feeling warm and tender. While swollen legs typically cause pain and reduced mobility, they might cause severe concerns like varicose veins, skin ulcers, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as well. Fortunately, remedies like the best compression socks 20 30 mmHg compression level, certain exercises, and doing simple measures like elevating your legs, can significantly reduce leg swelling and prevent its progression. Have a look at three ways to manage and reduce swelling in the legs.
1. Wearing Compression Socks
Compression socks are one of the most popular and effective measures for managing leg swelling. These medical garment socks provide gentle compression to the legs, helping improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage as well. This enhanced circulation helps reduce the amount of fluid that pools in the lower extremities, alleviating swelling and its linked symptoms. A study conducted by The American College of Phlebology concluded that wearing compression socks can even reduce symptoms linked to venous insufficiency and help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which is common during long flights.
How Does Compression Socks For Men 20 30 Works?
- They provide graduated compression to legs meaning they are tighter around the ankle and go on loosening up towards the knee.
- This mechanism encourages an enhanced flow of the bloodstream which reduces fluid buildup in lower parts of the body.
Benefits Of Wearing Compression Socks
- Helps reduce swelling.
- Enhances overall leg health.
- Relieves from chronic conditions like varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and chronic venous insufficiency as well.
2. Doing Exercises
You can’t go wrong with doing exercises. Doing them even for just a few minutes daily can yield unimaginable benefits for combating leg swelling. Regular exercise enhances your blood circulation and helps prevent fluid buildup and retention. Physical movements induce muscle contraction in the legs that further assists in pumping blood back to the heart. It’s especially beneficial for those who sit or stand for long periods as a part of their job.
Exercise To Alleviate Leg Swelling
- Calf Raises: Start with laying your feet flat on the ground and slowly rise on your toes. Doing so will engage your calf muscles, helping them pump blood upwards more conveniently.
- Ankle Pumps: While sitting, point your toes outwards and inwards repeatedly to activate your calf muscles. This measure promotes blood flow.
- Glute Squeezes: You can do it either sitting, standing, or lying down. Tighten your glute muscles, hold them for a while, and relax them afterward. Repeat this process several times to improve circulation in your legs.
- Walking or Light Jogging: Aerobic exercises like walking or light jogging stimulate blood and prevent it from accumulating in the lower extremities of the body.
Benefits Of Doing Exercises
- Strengthens leg muscles that assist in blood circulation.
- Prevents further fluid retention and swelling.
- Enhances circulation and lymphatic drainage.
3. Elevation/Elevate Your Legs
Elevating your legs is another simple yet powerful measure of combating the ill effects and severity of leg swelling. Doing so increases gravity’s effectiveness, allowing the stored fluid to reach back to the upper body. This measure works very well for those who experience swelling due to prolonged sitting, standing for hours, or after doing strenuous exercises that put excess pressure on their legs. You can simply elevate your legs for just around 15-20 minutes a day, 2-3 times a day to reduce swelling and improve overall leg health. For better results, you can even use compression socks for women 20 30 or combine regular exercise with it.
Bottom Line
Treating leg swelling requires a combination of remedies to be opted that aim to improve circulation and reduce fluid retention. Wearing compression socks, doing regular exercises, and elevating your legs daily for a while are the three effective ways to get relief from the symptoms of leg swelling. Each of these remedies carries its own set of benefits and when used combinedly, significantly enhances your leg health.
Those looking for high-quality compression socks can partner with SNUG360, a reliable brand known for their best-in-the-industry compression socks built using a blend of Nylon and Spandex. Their compression socks range features socks based on different compression levels, making them an excellent choice for anyone dealing with leg swelling.