Peripheral edema is fluid buildup in your lower legs or feet. If you have diabetes, changes to your blood vessels may be partly to blame for swelling. Your medications or related health conditions could also cause the problem. It’s possible that something besides diabetes is making your lower legs swell.

When should I be concerned about leg swelling?

Seek medical care right away if your legs swell for no apparent reason, especially if you have unexplained leg pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain or other warning signs of a blood clot in your lungs or a heart condition.

How do you stop diabetic leg pain?

Here are nine tips to help manage and relieve diabetic leg pain.

1. Use exercise to promote overall health.
2. Eat a diabetic-friendly diet.
3. Manage weight.
4. Maintain appropriate blood sugar levels.
5. Practice daily foot and leg care.
6. Build healthier habits for compounded prevention.
7. Try physical therapy.

How do you get rid of fluid in your legs?

Lifestyle and home remedies

1. Movement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart.
2. Elevation.
3. Massage.
4. Compression.
5. Protection.
6. Reduce salt intake.

Why do diabetics get swollen legs?

The Link Between Diabetes and Swelling When your blood glucose levels are too high for too long, it begins to damage the lining of small blood vessels, thus resulting in poor circulation. When your blood isn’t circulating efficiently, it gets trapped in certain areas—especially the lower extremities.

What does it mean when only one leg is swollen?

Some of the causes for swelling in only one leg include: Infection in the foot or leg. Muscle strain or tear in the affected leg. Blockage of the leg’s lymphatic system.

What helps with swollen legs in elderly?

But again, most leg swelling in aging adults is chronic venous insufficiency. The ideal management of this chronic condition includes “lifestyle” measures such as elevating the legs regularly, using compression stockings, reducing salt intake, and doing exercises which improve fluid movement in the legs.

Can sugar make your legs hurt?

Unfortunately, sugar is on top of the list of foods that may increase muscle and joint inflammation. Numerous studies suggest that processed sugars release pro-inflammatory substances in the body, causing further inflammation in the joints.

How do you get rid of leg pain fast?

If you have leg pain from cramps or overuse, take these steps first:

1. Rest as much as possible.
2. Elevate your leg.
3. Apply ice for up to 15 minutes. Do this 4 times per day, more often for the first few days.
4. Gently stretch and massage cramping muscles.
5. Take over-the-counter pain medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

How do you get rid of nerve pain in your legs?

Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing). Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.

When should you go to the hospital for swollen feet and legs?

You should seek emergency care if you have sudden, unexplained swelling in just one limb or if it occurs along with chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch.

Is edema in the legs life threatening?

Most of the time, the edema is not a serious illness, but it may be a sign for one. Here are some examples: Venous insufficiency can cause edema in the feet and ankles, because the veins are having trouble transporting enough blood all the way to the feet and back to the heart.

Can fluid in the legs be drained?

Oedema is a collection of fluid in the spaces between cells of the body. Fluid leaks out of damaged cells. The fluid cannot be simply drained with a needle and may not improve if you take ‘water pills’ (diuretics).

How do you get rid of diabetic leg swelling?

If you experience swelling from diabetes, here are 10 tips to help manage fluid in your feet.

1. Use compression socks.
2. Elevate your feet.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Lose weight.
5. Stay hydrated.
6. Limit salt.
7. Get up and move every hour.
8. Try magnesium supplements.

Can diabetes cause swelling in one leg?

Peripheral edema is swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs. It can occur in one or both of your lower limbs. 1 If you have diabetes, you need to take extra precautions when you have edema. People with diabetes often have problems with blood flow.

How can diabetics improve circulation in legs?

Keep the blood flowing to your feet

1. Put your feet up when you are sitting.
2. Wiggle your toes for a few minutes throughout the day. Move your ankles up and down and in and out to help blood flow in your feet and legs.
3. Do not wear tight socks or elastic stockings.
4. Be more physically active.
5. Stop smoking.