SWALLEN LEGS DAMN IT

Have you ever wondered why you suffer more from swollen hands and ankles in the summer?

Unfortunately it is a consequence of the natural physiology of the body.

To this end, we must remember that the ultimate goal of the body is to always maintain a homeostasis of the tissues and physical conditions. First of all the body temperature which must always be between 35.5 and 37.5 degrees. The classic temperature of 37 is now exceeded, there are people with lower internal temperatures and without any problems. Obviously, if the temperature homeostasis is 36.5, you will be more sensitive to the increase in external temperature and you will already have a fever at 37.5. But having said that, let’s remember that the body wants to keep the temperature constant. To do this there is a unique way which is that of sweat. We all sweat more or less, sweating is essential to keep the internal temperature constant. If the outside temperature increases, you sweat more, so you need to drink a lot otherwise if you don’t sweat, you run the risk of passing out due to heat stroke. Furthermore, to favor the evaporation of sweat and therefore the lowering of the temperature, a breeze on the body or a cool place that favors the evaporation of sweat and lowering the body temperature is better.

To promote sweating, the increase in external temperature then generates peripheral vasodilation which releases extracellular fluids. When you are young this release is immediately balanced by sweating and the reabsorption of liquids through the lymphatic system. And here, as you get older or when you have circulatory problems in the heat, the difficulties arise. The release of extracellular fluids, if not reabsorbed by the lymphatic system, stagnate in the subcutaneous tissue and remain in the extremities of the body for longer (hands, feet and ankles). This explains why at high summer temperatures the ankles can swell as well as the legs. If you then add the humidity of the air, it is even more difficult, because the external humidity prevents the liquids from evaporating and the body temperature increases further with the aggravation of peripheral vasodilation and further swelling.

How to remedy all this?

Trying to shelter from the direct sun, staying in cool and ventilated places, taking foot baths of cold water, sleeping with your legs raised, massaging your feet, walking in the fresh air every hour for 5 minutes and having lymphatic drainage done. All combined with a fresh diet rich in fruit and vegetables with plenty of liquids, finally supplementing the diet with polyphenols which nourish the walls of the lymphatic and blood vessels. There is nothing else to do. Overweight people are most at risk for these kinds of problems. The increase in adipose tissue inflames and with it the recovery power of the lymphatic tissues is reduced. Furthermore, the greater mass generates pressure and crushing of the lymphatic tissues with greater difficulty in recovering the liquids. One problem stimulating another. So reducing your body weight also reduces the problem of swelling in your limbs as you get older. We need to keep the tissues active, young, eat less and hydrate a lot and get active as soon as we notice that the body is making water retention. The obvious assumption is that the kidneys are working well. Because let’s not forget that eventually these liquids that are reabsorbed by the lymphatic system must be eliminated with the kidneys.

Good day