Lounge Doctor Blog

How Proper Leg Elevation Works to Improve Edema

Edema–or swelling–can cause tenderness, limited mobility and even pain. While some cases of edema are very serious and require assistance from a medical professional, many of the common, milder cases can be addressed at home with leg elevation. Read on to learn everything you need to know about treating edema with leg elevation. What Is Edema? “Edema” is a medical term that refers to fluid retention, or swelling, in the body. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles and legs because gravity pulls blood and other bodily fluids towards the lower extremities. However, edema may occur anywhere on the body. Edema ranges from mild and temporary to severe and chronic. It may be caused by a variety of reasons, including...

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How to Improve Leg Circulation in Elderly Patients: 6 Tips Every Caregiver Should Know

Many elderly patients complain of cold hands and feet and numbness or swelling in their extremities—all classic signs of poor venous blood flow, or circulation. While poor circulation is indeed common in seniors, there are plenty of steps that caregivers can take to help mitigate it. Read on to discover why circulation slows down as we age and how to improve venous blood flow in the leg in elderly patients. Why Aging Causes Poor Circulation As your body ages, numerous changes take place that can slow venous blood flow. The heart may develop fibrous tissues and fat deposits, the walls might thicken or the valves might stiffen.    As you age, the receptors that monitor your blood pressure also become...

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Steps to Take Before Taking Your Next Step: The Best Way to Elevate Feet After Surgery

If you’ve recently had foot, ankle or leg surgery, there’s a good chance that your doctor discharged you with a long list of post-operative instructions. One of the most important yet least understood tasks on the list is post-surgery leg elevation. It seems simple, right? Just prop your treated leg up on a pillow and go about your life. Indeed, there isn’t that much to it. But the truth is that many people improperly elevate the legs, which can actually make things worse. Understanding a little bit more about this post-op principle will help ensure that you get on the mend faster and with no complications. Why is Elevating the Legs So Important? You often hear surgeons discuss proper foot...

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Put Up Your Feet and Get Some Rest: How a Leg Elevation Pillow Can Improve Sleep

You’ve undoubtedly heard of leg elevation for treating injuries and healing post-operatively, but did you know that a little bit of raising action can actually help you sleep, too? According to the American Sleep Association, about 40 percent of Americans have either short-term or chronic insomnia, citing stress, anxiety, sleep disorders and medical conditions for the lack of quality rest. There are many things you can do to get a better night’s rest, including sleeping with your legs elevated. Let’s take a look at how, and why, a leg elevation pillow can soothe you into a sweet slumber! It’s All About Blood Flow—The goal of any good elevation pillow is to boost the body’s blood flow, which prevents blood clots,...

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Down for the Count: Using a Leg Elevation Pillow and Other Treatments for Achilles Tendon Injury

Achilles tendon injuries are no laughing matter. As we learned from the Greek god Achilles, this tendon is particularly sensitive and, if ancient mythology is any indicator, injuring it could lead to your inevitable downfall. While Achilles’ tale was just a myth, injuries to the Achilles tendon can be very real, causing pain, swelling and impaired movement. Those who suffer from tears, ruptures, tendinitis or other conditions that affect the tendon may be down for the count for long periods of time, forced to undergo weeks of immobilization and maybe even surgery. Causes Our feet and legs are constantly in use, and frequent activity can take its toll. Often, Achilles tendon injuries occur due to overuse, inflaming the tendon and...

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