How do you drain fluid from your legs?

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Use pressure. If edema affects an arm or leg, wearing compression stockings, sleeves or gloves might help. ...
  2. Move. Moving and using the muscles in the part of the body that's swollen, especially the legs, might help move fluid back toward the heart. ...
  3. Raise. ...
  4. Massage. ...
  5. Protect. ...
  6. Reduce salt.


How long does it take to get fluid off your legs?

Swelling normally lasts for a few days. In the first two days, you will experience the most swelling, and it should start to reduce by the third day. Following treatment from your healthcare provider reduces the amount of swelling you might experience.

How do I get rid of fluid in my legs?

Home Care
  1. Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
  2. Exercise your legs. ...
  3. Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
  4. Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
  5. When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.


Is edema in the legs life threatening?

It can be life-threatening and needs quick treatment. After sitting for a long time, such as on a long flight, call your care provider if you get leg pain and swelling that won't go away.

Can water retention in legs be drained?

What is the treatment? Lymphoedema cannot be cured but it can usually be controlled so that complications do not occur later. The mainstays of treatment are compression bandages or stockings, elevation of the limb and external pneumatic compression. Whenever the leg is elevated, fluid will tend to drain out of it.


Lymphatic Draining



Why are my legs retaining so much fluid?

Leg swelling isn't always a sign of a heart or circulation problem. You can have swelling due to fluid buildup simply from being overweight, being inactive, sitting or standing for a long time, or wearing tight stockings or jeans. Factors related to fluid buildup include: Acute kidney failure.

Where does the fluid go when you elevate your legs?

One of the easiest ways to manage swelling is to elevate (raise) the swollen limb. The goal is to elevate the swollen limb slightly above the level of the heart. This helps the extra fluid move back towards the heart for circulation to the rest of the body.

What stage of heart failure is edema?

Sometimes edema is the first sign of heart failure. Once heart failure is diagnosed, it becomes important to monitor increases in body weight that may result from increased fluid retention. One 2021 review of studies suggests that increases in edema may also predict worsening heart failure.


Do swollen legs mean heart failure?

Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues. You may also have swelling in your stomach or notice some weight gain.

What happens if edema does not go down?

If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation.

How do you drain edema fluid naturally?

Remedies for water retention
  1. Follow a low salt diet.
  2. Eat potassium- and magnesium-rich foods. They will help balance out your sodium levels. ...
  3. Take a vitamin B6 supplement.
  4. Eat protein. ...
  5. Keep your feet elevated. ...
  6. Wear compression socks or leggings. ...
  7. Seek a doctor's help if your problem persists.


What is the home remedy for swollen legs?

Home Remedies for Leg Swelling
  • Wear compression socks. Compression socks are stretchable, tight-fitting socks that gently squeeze your legs, feet, and ankles. ...
  • Follow a low-salt diet. Following a low-salt diet can help reduce swelling. ...
  • Exercise. ...
  • Drink water. ...
  • Elevate your feet.


Will drinking water reduce leg swelling?

Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn't hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have. This contributes to swelling.

What organ failure causes swollen legs?

If kidney failure does occur, the symptoms may include: weight loss and poor appetite. swollen ankles, feet or hands (due to water retention) shortness of breath.


What are the first signs of a weak heart?

Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:
  • Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
  • Fatigue and weakness.
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Reduced ability to exercise.
  • Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.
  • Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)


What medication is used for edema in legs?

Medicines that help the body get rid of too much fluid through urine can treat worse forms of edema. One of the most common of these water pills, also known as diuretics, is furosemide (Lasix).

How do you know the end is near with congestive heart failure?

Patients in the end stages of heart failure want to know what to expect. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking.


What are the four signs of congestive heart failure?

Symptoms of heart failure include:
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling tired (fatigue) and having leg weakness when you're active.
  • Swelling in your ankles, legs and abdomen.
  • Weight gain.
  • Need to urinate while resting at night.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
  • A dry, hacking cough.


Which are two signs of worsening heart failure?

Signs of Worsening Heart Failure
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.
  • Weight gain of five pounds in one week.
  • Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.
  • A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking)


Why does fluid build up in the legs?

Common causes of swollen ankles, feet and legs

eating too much salty food. being overweight. being pregnant. taking certain medicines – such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, hormone therapy, antidepressants or steroids.


Is it good to sleep with your legs elevated?

Elevating your legs while you sleep can help your circulation and prevent swelling. It's best to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. Wedge-shaped pillows make this easier to do. You can also use pillows or folded blankets you have on hand to elevate your legs in bed to help circulation.

Is standing or sitting better for edema?

Change in lower leg volume, which was determined using the electrical impedance method, indicated that sitting caused less swelling than did standing.

What is the fastest way to get rid of water retention?

Tips To Minimize Water Retention
  1. Try a low-sodium diet. Simple diet changes can make a big difference. ...
  2. Eat more fruit. ...
  3. Drink more water. ...
  4. Get moving. ...
  5. Consider dandelion root. ...
  6. Wear a compression garment. ...
  7. Elevate your feet. ...
  8. Consider medication.


What is a natural diuretic?

Some herbs and dietary supplements may help you excrete water (diuretic) and help with sodium and water retention. Examples include dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper. But proceed with caution before taking any products that have a diuretic effect.

Does walking help swollen legs?

Exercise-The most effective forms of exercise to help combat leg swelling are swimming, walking, and biking. Exercising in a pool is a great form of exercise for swelling because the water applies full-body compression. This helps fluid travel from the tissues to the vessels getting fluid back into the circulation.