Swelling in legs? Can I get rid of it?

Question

I work as a waitress a couple days a week to make some extra cash, and usually when I work I'm on my feet for about 10 hours at a time. When I come home, my calves are swollen to at least 2x their normal size. I can also actually feel how they are swollen and they ache and throb. Also, I notice that just on a daily basis when I wake up in the morning my calves are normal, but by the evening they are larger. Does anyone have any ideas as to what may be causing this and how I can make it better? I'm an extremely busy person and scheduling a drs appt is a major pain for me, so going in for a consult is really a last resort! Thanks so much!

Just to add a few things that may help... I drink a lot of water and fluids and try to eat healthy. I'm a vegetarian and I eat lots of fruits and vegetables but I also try to have a high protein intake because I don't get protein from meat. I'm also not overweight... I work out 5 days a week and I'm 5'2" and 103 lbs. My body is pretty tiny overall, except for my calves when they swell.

I also definitely do not have time to run to the bathroom a lot at work! I'm usually lucky if I get to eat anything more than a protein bar and a bottle of water!

While support hose are a great idea, I absolutely hate stockings/tights/anything that is tight to my legs because once they start to swell I feel like they are being strangled!

Thanks for all the answers so far though! I will try some of your suggestions! :)

Answer 1

Are you having any other symptoms besides the swelling like shortness of breathe or anything like that? Sometimes the swelling can be caused by an excess of fluid and sometimes a fluid pill is recommended. Just be sure this is just from being on your feet and not from the fluid excess. You need to wear good support hose this also helps with the swelling along with elevating your legs when you get a chance. Good luck.

Answer 2

You need to stay away from salt, drink a lot of fluids(water preferably), and put your legs up above your heart as much as possible. Also wearing "support stockings" while working. If you are overweight, lose some weight.

If these things do not work you'll need to go see a doctor. Hopefully there is not any major health problem you have.Swollen legs can be a sign of a more serious problem.

Answer 3

Cut back on your salt use for starters. When you get home elevate your feet above your heart for a couple of hours. It is normal if you are on your feet 10 hours doing physical work such as waitressing for your legs to swell. You might want to start taking a potassium supplement, this will keep your legs from cramping.
I don't recommend substitute fluid pills because in your job, you can't afford to be in the bathroom a lot.
On your days off, you might eat cantaloupe or watermelon. Keep your body hydrated but lay off the salt, use garlic or onion powder to season your foods.

Answer 4

It's called edema. Swelling in your extremeties. Take an anti-inflamatory medicine before going to work and one every 4-6 hours while you're at work. Drink lots of water and sit down and put your feet up whenever you get a break, it doesn't matter if it's for 2 minutes, just anytime you can manage it.

Waiting tables sucks doesn't it?

Answer 5

Well if you have swelling and you are not overweight and drink a lot of water then you may really need to see a doctor. If something is internally wrong then a simple blood test that your doctor can submit would find out if it was something serious.

Answer 6

After 10 years of struggling with all sorts of creams and pills to treat this embarrassing problem I was able to get rid of my varicose veins by using natural healing methods and alternative herbal home remedies.

Read Diane Thompson's "Varicose Veins Secrets" (also available in electronic format at: http://www.varicoseveinscure.org ). By following this guide book I was able to eradicate my varicose veins pretty fast. God bless!

Answer 7

Great question and great answer