According to orthopedists, the health of the whole organism depends on the feet. About 40% of patients in nursing homes cannot move without assistance, of which approximately 25% are completely immobile. An immobile state leads to the occurrence of other systemic diseases. In this regard, it is very important to protect the legs in old age, as well as to be aware of the possible problems that may be encountered. If your loved one already has foot problems, consider assisted living in Nassau to help him live a full life and avoid other health problems.
Leg cramps in the seniors and their treatment
A fairly common pathology in the seniors is leg cramps, which can be severe or weak.
Muscle spasms are characterized by:
- soreness;
- swelling of soft tissues;
- numbness of the toes;
- muscle twitching;
- darkening in the eyes;
- convulsive tic;
- weakness in the body;
- tingling sensation in the skin.
Why do legs swell in old age?
The legs swell strongly in old age, as the body is significantly worn out and has failed. This is a very alarming signal that speaks of a deterioration in health. Before prescribing the necessary course of therapy, the causes that caused the disease are established.
- Physiological factors.
The problem of edema in seniors, according to doctors, occurs for various reasons. This, in addition to the main diseases, is influenced by physiological factors. And they depend on the lifestyle of an old person, the presence of bad habits.
What can cause swollen legs in old women? The reason may be improperly selected shoes, which tire the limbs. In addition, if the shoes are tight, swelling may appear. Another factor is excess weight, which causes severe swelling not only in seniors but also in young people.
As a result of pressure, there is an increase in the load on the foot and deformation of the veins, by the evening the legs swell.
Other physiological prerequisites leading to severe swelling of the legs in the seniors include:
- non-compliance with the diet, nutritional imbalance;
- elevated air temperature;
- prolonged standing or sitting.
If the physiological causes are eliminated, medications can be dispensed with. If these factors are ignored, the situation may worsen.
- Pathological factors.
Infrequently, people manage to remain completely healthy until old age. If edema occurs in an old person, it is necessary to consult a doctor for a diagnosis. This should be done as soon as possible, then there will be more chances to recover faster.
With the swelling of the hips, the appearance of tachycardia, and shortness of breath, it is necessary to eliminate the problem in the hospital.
In old people, the legs are most often swollen due to heart failure. Due to slow blood flow, fluid accumulates in the lower parts of the limbs, as a result of which the feet and ankles increase in volume. It becomes painful to walk. “Swelling” is formed on one of the limbs, if the old person has varicose veins. And first of all, there is a violation of hemodynamics, then the lesion affects the deep veins. If the legs swell and turn blue in old age, then this may indicate the formation of blood clots. In this case, to save the limbs and even the life of the person, you need to provide immediate medical attention.
Feet may swell slightly due to injuries, bumps, and sprains. In most cases, swelling is noticeable on one of the feet.
What to do when the legs fail in old age?
If an old person cannot walk, find out why. To do this, you need to visit a doctor, take tests, and diagnose. Only then you can decide which specialist you need to go to.
In case of problems with the spine, it is necessary to make an additional X-ray, MRI, or CT scan.
When all the studies are completed and the necessary tests are passed, the doctor will make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. In some cases, due to the specifics of the disease, part of the examination steps will need to be repeated to clarify the diagnosis.
The treatment regimen will depend on the reasons that provoked leg failure. If problems with the spine are identified, anesthetic anti-inflammatory agents will be prescribed. This will remove severe pain that prevents an aged patient from walking. Often, chondro protectors are prescribed to normalize metabolic processes. Doctors can prescribe vitamin therapy, courses of physiotherapy, and exercise therapy. The latter, according to doctors, is the main one in the treatment of osteochondrosis.
If the legs go numb, it means that there are some disorders in the body that need to be treated, first of all, not forgetting about symptomatic therapy. Often in old age, people suffer from arthritis and atherosclerosis, which lead to immobility of the limbs. To prevent this, an old person must follow a diet. If a person is anemic, iron-containing medications are prescribed. Varicose veins of the initial stage are eliminated by wearing compression underwear.
Sometimes, without surgery, it is impossible to cure paresis of the lower extremities. This occurs when a nerve is pinched in the spine (with a vertebral hernia) and with thrombophlebitis.
Do not ignore the situation to such an extent that it is necessary to carry out the complex, often expensive treatment. Preventive measures are needed: a balanced diet, physical activity, and exercise.
Today there are more than three hundred diseases associated with the feet. Some diseases of the limbs are hereditary. However, most of them occur against the background of a cumulative effect, when a person has not taken any measures to eliminate problems for many years.
Summary
Serious foot problems can appear unexpectedly in old people. As a rule, this happens in cases where people ignore scheduled examinations by doctors. If your old relative has foot problems or needs to be accompanied during examinations, it is best to hire a caregiver. You can find an excellent caregiver who will become not only an assistant but also a friend to a senior with the help of Galaxy Home Care.