Leg swelling is a common problem that occurs when fluid becomes trapped inside your body’s tissues. This condition may develop due to prolonged standing and sitting for hours. In most cases, home remedies and lifestyle changes such as reducing salt intake and wearing compression stockings may help relieve Port Saint Lucie leg swelling. However, other times swollen legs may be a symptom of underlying medical conditions, including liver disease. Medical attention is therefore essential to establish the cause of your swollen legs and help improve your situation.
Table of Contents
What Causes Swollen Legs?
Your legs may get swollen due to several conditions that include:
Lymphedema
This condition occurs when there is damage to your lymph nodes, resulting in swelling in your arms and legs. Lymphedema can occur on its own – primary lymphedema, or maybe due to a disease or a particular condition – secondary lymphedema. Besides swollen legs, other signs and symptoms for this condition include:
- Pain in your legs.
- A feeling of heaviness and tightness.
- Recurring infections.
Since there is no cure for this condition, treatment is designed to reduce swelling and control the pain. If you have lymphedema, your specialist may recommend that you engage in light exercises or wear compression stockings to encourage drainage.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is the improper functioning of the valves in your veins, which allows the backflow of blood, resulting in swollen legs. Accumulation of blood in the vessels causes the veins to enlarge and appear closely on your skin’s surface. While varicose veins may cause no pain, some patients experience symptoms such as pain that worsens after prolonged hours of standing and sitting, skin discoloration, and muscle cramping. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical exercise may help reduce your risk of developing varicose veins.
Liver Problems
The liver is one of your body organs with significant roles, including ridding your body of toxic substances. Liver problems can be inherited or caused by a variety of factors such as alcohol use and obesity. The various symptoms of liver disease include:
- Chronic fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Swollen legs.
- Jaundice and abdominal swelling.
If you exhibit these symptoms, your doctor may recommend a diagnosis to establish the cause and determine the extent of liver damage. Diagnosis may include blood tests, biopsies, and imaging tests such as magnetic resonance imaging. As part of treatment, your doctor may recommend lifestyle modifications such as stopping alcohol use and losing excess weight.
Kidney Disease
Kidneys filter out wastes and excess fluids from your blood, which are then passed out in the urine. When one or both of your kidneys fail, fluids and waste accumulate in the body. Leg swelling is one of the symptoms of kidney failure. Medical treatment during the early stages is essential to prevent a fatal condition – end-stage kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant. Fortunately, you can lower your risk for developing kidney disease by maintaining a healthy weight, following instructions on over-the-counter medications, and avoiding smoking.
While swollen legs may indicate an underlying condition, this may sometimes be due to non-medical reasons such as heat. If your legs are swollen, visit your doctor at TLC Medical Group Inc. for diagnosis to establish the cause of your condition.