Symptoms Leg swelling. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Sterns RH. Pathophysiology and etiology of edema in adults. Accessed Jan. Merck Manual Professional Version. Papadakis MA, et al. Lower extremity edema. McGraw-Hill Education; A person should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms of a blood clot:. Sometimes, a piece of the clot breaks loose and travels to the heart, lungs, or brain.
This can be life-threatening if left untreated. Typically, people who have a blood clot receive anticoagulant medications, which help prevent clots from getting bigger. They also help prevent new clots from forming.
The liver produces albumin, which is a protein that prevents fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and into surrounding body tissues. A diseased liver does not produce enough albumin. Liver disease can, therefore, cause fluid to pool in the legs, ankles, and feet. Most people who have liver disease do not experience symptoms until they have developed severe liver damage, or cirrhosis.
The only cure for liver cirrhosis is a liver transplant. However, treatment aims to manage the disease and prevent further complications. Treatments can also help to alleviate some of the symptoms of cirrhosis. People who experience swollen legs as a result of cirrhosis may require diuretics, such as spironolactone or furosemide.
People may also need to reduce their dietary intake of salt, as doing so can alleviate fluid retention. Kidneys that are severely damaged by disease are unable to filter the blood effectively and excrete fluid and other waste products through urine.
This can lead to a buildup of fluid and other waste products within the body, including in the lower legs and ankles. The treatment for kidney disease depends on its underlying cause. According to the National Kidney Foundation , some causes, such as urinary tract infections and kidney stones , respond well to treatment.
Kidney disease may also occur as a result of an underlying medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. In such cases, a doctor will prescribe medications to manage these conditions and slow the rate of kidney disease. In some cases, chronic kidney disease may progress to kidney failure. At this stage, a person will require dialysis or a kidney transplant. Again, these help give a clue to the cause of the leg swelling. For example:. If you don't know why you have swollen legs, or you know the reason but it isn't settling then see your doctor.
There are so very many causes for swollen legs that it is important to make sure it isn't due to something which needs treatment. If your legs swell up a little in the hot weather but go down again overnight, you don't need to see a doctor.
Or if both ankles are a little puffy after a long flight but there is no pain or redness of the calf, and the puffiness settles quickly then you do not need to see a doctor. Minor swellings from bites or trivial injuries don't usually need medical attention. In most other situations, it is wise to consult a health professional.
If you have swollen legs and are pregnant, make sure you keep your regular appointment with your midwife. Your midwife will regularly check your blood pressure, and check your wee urine for protein to make sure your swollen ankles are not a sign of anything serious. In some situations, the cause of swollen legs can be serious, and you should see a doctor as an emergency.
Your doctor will want more information about the swelling in your leg s. For example, when it started, if it hurts and whether it comes and goes or stays much the same. They will also want to know if you have been on any recent long journeys or had any times when you were not very mobile recently, and if you are on any medicines. The doctor will examine your legs and then may go on to examine other areas. This will depend on the information the doctor has obtained by listening to you and examining you.
In some cases, no further tests will be needed. In others, tests will be advised. These might include:. Treatment will be different depending on the cause. If the cause is fluid in the legs oedema , this can often be relieved in the short term by taking tablets called 'water tablets' diuretics.
Diuretics increase the amount of fluid that the kidney filters off to be passed in your wee urine. So when you take diuretics you eventually pee away some of the fluid which was collecting around your legs.
However, diuretics are not used for many causes of swollen legs. Wrong topic—not what I was looking for. It was hard to understand. It didn't answer any of my questions. I still don't know what to do next. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.
Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Patient Education.
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