Duration
The duration of the leg swelling also depends mainly on the cause and whether a therapy is initiated. Untreated, swollen legs that occur in the context of heart failure remain or even increase. If an adequate drug therapy is initiated, the thick legs can be significantly slimmer again after a few days.
If thrombosis is left untreated, there is a risk that it will develop into a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal in the worst case. If a thrombosis is treated by means of blood thinning and compression, it usually takes weeks to months for the swelling to subside sufficiently. Often the affected leg remains somewhat thicker than the other. If erysipelas is not treated with antibiotics, this can lead to sepsis (blood poisoning). After the start of drug treatment with antibiotics, it usually takes a few days until the redness subsides, and the swelling often persists for several weeks.
Swelling of the legs and hands
If there is a swelling of both legs and both hands at the same time, the cause is often heart disease. This can be a heart failure, for example. The heart is no longer able to transport the required blood volume and water is stored in different parts of the body.
Often the legs are affected first, but the hands, fingers and the whole trunk can also be affected. Therapeutically, various drugs are used here. On the one hand, water tablets that flush out the excess water and those that strengthen the heart.
Swelling of legs and arms
Swelling of the legs and arms – like swelling of the legs and hands – often has a cardiac cause. Not infrequently, a cardiac insufficiency (heart failure) is the cause. It can be diagnosed by means of a heart ultrasound and in most cases is treated with medication.
Swollen legs during pregnancy
Swollen legs and hands are a big issue for many women during pregnancy.The deposits are caused, among other things, by the fact that the body produces more blood volume during pregnancy, which it must then also transport. The water retention occurs mainly in the more advanced stages of pregnancy. There are several ways to reduce water retention, but there is no causal therapy. Sufficient exercise, a low-salt diet and regular elevation of the affected body part can be tried. Compression stockings (support stockings) can also help to keep the water retention in check.
