Why is there a dent when pressing the calf?

If you press down on your calf, there will be a pit, which is usually caused by edema. The main reason for edema is that the water in the body cannot be excreted in time. Nutritional imbalance and hormonal abnormalities are also common causes. There are many types of edema, and different methods need to be used to treat different types of edema in order to be effective. Below, we will introduce you to the relevant knowledge about calf edema in detail!

1. What is the cause of the pit when pressing the calf?

This could be a symptom of edema. When too much water is added to the body and cannot be discharged, it causes edema. As you gain weight, you may experience puffy eyelids, edema in your ankles or calves. Most cases of edema are caused by kidney or heart disease. However, sometimes edema can also be caused by ascites caused by liver disease, nutritional imbalance caused by protein deficiency, or hormonal abnormalities caused by menopausal disorders.

2. Classification of edema

Edema is often a signal of diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, endocrine disease, and vascular disease, but some edema is not a manifestation of disease but a physiological reaction.

Idiopathic edema: Some women between 20 and 40 years old often experience mild edema of the eyelids and face after getting up in the morning, and pitting edema or tightness in the lower limbs. The edema gradually subsides with activity. Most scholars believe that it is related to neuropsychiatric factors and autonomic dysfunction.

Reactive edema: Some people, especially those who work in hot weather or are obese and inactive, are affected by the high temperature of the environment. The blood vessels in the skin spread, and the body fluids penetrate and accumulate in the subcutaneous tissue, often causing edema in the hands and feet. After the summer, it disappears on its own. But it will occur every summer and recur for many years.

Postural edema: Standing, walking, squatting or sitting for a long time may cause edema due to obstruction of blood return in the lower limbs and congestion. After a period of time after changing the body position, the edema will be reduced and disappear on its own.

Premenstrual edema: Some healthy women experience mild edema of the eyelids, back of hands, ankles and even lower limbs, as well as irritability, insomnia, fatigue, headache and other symptoms a week or half a month before menstruation. When menstruation comes, the edema and other symptoms may gradually subside.

Drug-induced edema: If you use drugs such as adrenal cortex hormones, testosterone, androgen, insulin, thiourea, licorice, etc., it can cause edema in the face, hands, and feet. The edema will gradually subside after stopping the drug.

There is no need to worry about the above-mentioned edema, and there is no need to use medicine indiscriminately. However, if the edema is caused by a disease, appropriate treatment is required according to the disease.

3. Effective methods to reduce edema

1. Sleeping on your side can minimize morning puffiness better than sleeping on your back.

2. Don’t sit for too long. Stand up and walk around every hour and a half. Also avoid standing for long periods of time, as this can cause edema.

3. During the day, expectant mothers should lift their feet and keep their legs flat as often as possible to allow blood circulation in the legs to flow smoothly. They should also change their sitting and standing positions frequently.

4. Choose a good pair of shoes for yourself. For swollen feet, it is best to choose soft leather or cloth shoes made of soft natural materials, which can effectively reduce foot fatigue. Comfortable shoe with 1 cm leeway in front and back. The soles of the shoes should be non-slip and the heels should be at least 2 cm thick. Heavy, non-breathable shoes can make swelling worse.

5. Don’t wear clothes that are too tight. Try to wear pure cotton and comfortable clothes.

6. Taking a moderate bath can also relieve edema symptoms.