24 Swollen Calves Causes – Dangers – Treatments

Swelling of the calves can occur due to various factors. Generally, swollen calves are triggered by water retention or inflammation. Inflammation results in tissue or muscle damage or injury. When your calves look bigger and look unusual, immediately find out the various possible causes. So it can be handled properly.

Swollen Calves Causes

There are various reasons why the calves may become swollen. Swollen calves can start from mild to moderately serious conditions. One of the causes of swelling is the buildup of fluid in it. Then some of the alleged causes include:

1. Deep Vein Thrombosis

When the calves swell and only occur on one side only, this may be caused by deep vein thrombosis. There is the formation of blood clots in the blood vessels. In this case, not only the calves are swollen. The ankle can also be affected. This symptom is accompanied by pain, redness that spreads and also mild fever.

2. Lymphedema

Calves are part of the lower leg. This section is susceptible to lymphatic circulation as it is damaged. Whether it’s radiation therapy, injury, tumor or surgery. This can increase the risk of the calf to become swollen and called lymphedema. Not only swollen on the calf, there are other symptoms of heat sensation, tingling, numbness and severe sensation. Read also Causes Small Wart on Neck

3. Poplitea Cysts

Swelling of the calves can also be caused by popliteal cysts. Usually triggers swelling only on one side of the calf. Swelling occurs because there is fluid formation right at the back of the knee. The disease is at risk for people with knee damage from serious injury or arthritis. Read also Foods Contins Purine

4. Cellulitis

Cellulitis is one of the factors causing swelling of the calf. The risk of cellulitis in affecting the lower leg is quite large. Especially in people with chronic skin conditions, diabetes, static veins and also poor blood circulation. See also Causes of Wart on Face

5. Muscle injury

The type of injury that causes swelling of the calf is usually just an athletic activity. In addition to swelling, the calf will also feel pain.

The injury can be in the form of :

Ankle sprains
Infection or leg injury
Broken leg
ACL Injury
Achilles tendon rupture

That’s all the swollen calves causes that you need to consider of.

Other Factors of Swollen Calves

Apart from those already mentioned above, there are some things or conditions that also cause swelling in the calf. Some of the conditions in question include:

Hormone therapy
Heart failure
Liver cirrhosis
Chronic kidney disease
Acute renal failure
Nephrotic syndrome
Cardiomyopathy
The use of painkillers
Pregnancy
Pericarditis
Use of prescription drugs, such as high blood pressure lowering drugs and diabetes.
Chronic venous insufficiency
Thrombophlebitis
Sit and stand for a long time
Klamidia knee
Osteoarthritis
Uric acid
Baker Cyst
Rheumatoid arthritis

Danger of Swollen Calves

Swollen calves can be due to many things. After we know the cause, be sure not to be late in seeing a doctor. Some risk may occur if handling is too late. We sometimes just ignore it and hoping the swelling deflates by itself. Some of the dangers of the swollen calf:

Legs are difficult to move.
Difficult to walk.
Feeling stiff.
Foot muscles will appear more prominent.
Possible swelling spreads to the hips, abdomen and face.
Serious diseases are associated with liver, lung, heart or kidney problems.
Therefore, it is important to immediately go to the doctor although the visible swelling of the calf is not accompanied by other symptoms. Initial detection will facilitate the treatment and increase the potential for recovery of symptomatic sufferers. Read also How To Treatment Paronychia

How to overcome Swollen Calves

After looking at the various possible causes, then we need to know how to handle the swollen calves properly. Here are some recommendations how to treatment swollen calf.

1. Lifting Feet

When the calf is known to be swollen by fluid buildup, to reduce fluid retention, try to lift the foot parallel to the heart. To make it easier, you need to lie on your back, then your feet can be lifted either on a pile of pillows or leaning against the walls. You may also read about Causes of Itchy Feet and Legs At Night

2. Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the one of treatment that use of warm water and cold water. The use of warm water aims to improve blood circulation. Then old water will make the swelling decrease as well as inflammation.

Provide 2 buckets, one filled with warm water and another filled with cold water. First calf can be soaked in warm water about 4 minutes and immediately moved to soak in cold water about 1 minute. Continue so alternately do it for 20 minutes. Repeat this treatment several times a day until the calf begins to improve.

3. Strolling

Walking can help to better blood circulation and prevent the accumulation of fluid is not too much on the calf. You may also read about Causes of Cramp and Pain on Toe and How to Overcome It.

4. Exercising

Doing light exercise is an example of how to overcome the naturally swollen calves where it does not have to be too heavy and just do light physical exercise. Swimming is one of the most recommended sports.

5. Massage

Foot massage is a powerful way to deal with swelling problems including those that occur on the calf. As long as it is done by a massage expert, the risk of error will be very small and if you want to dare to massage it yourself, use olive oil or warm mustard oil to rub on a swollen area. Massage can be done for 5 minutes with direction up and down. Avoid too much pressure and do it a few times a day to be more effective. You may also read about Best Ways to Get Rid of Cellulite on Calves

6. Lemon Water

If it is swelling due to toxins and excess fluid, be sure to drink lemon juice to clean it. If excess fluid can be reduced, automatic swelling will deflate and avoid water retention. Simply mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice into a cup of warm water and add pure honey as a natural sweetener before drinking several times a day.

7. Ginger

This natural diuretic is believed to help swelling to quickly deflate naturally because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Whether it is massaging with ginger oil or drinking ginger tea 2-3 cups several times a day, it will be very helpful to calf recover quickly from swelling although still have to be wary of side effects of ginger when excessive consumption.

8. Apple Vinegar

Apple vinegar is a natural ingredient that can be relied upon to reduce swelling of the calf or other parts of your lower leg. Combine raw apple vinegar with warm water each with the same dose. A towel can be dyed or soaked in a warm solution of apple cider vinegar, wring it and cover on a swollen calf for 10 minutes a day several times. You may also read about Side Effects of Apple Vinegar

9. Other Handling Tips

Some of the following tips will also be considered and done in order to reduce the swelling as well as the pain that accompanies it.

More Swolen Calves Remedies

Here are more ways to get rid of swollen calves:

Compress cold water.
Reduce the frequency of sitting or standing that takes a long time.
The position of the foot while sitting higher.
Consume magnesium.
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration as well as detoxify the body.
Do not smoke.
Reduce salt intake.
If you go to a doctor and take medication, then use / consume the medicine as prescribed and according to what has been consulted with your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

Go to the doctor as soon as possible when you see any swollen calves causes worse. Especially when in a few days there is no sign of deflated or lost. Although not accompanied by any other symptoms conditions, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Because in this way you can cope early. See Also Causes Black Neck on Fat People

It would be better not to overcome the swelling of the calf without using drugs that can be purchased at the pharmacy because the use of certain drugs is known to affect the condition of the calf or swelling. Even if you think that there is no serious condition underlying the swelling, still go to the doctor for further examination.