Merck Manual Professional Version. Papadakis MA, et al. Lower extremity edema. McGraw-Hill Education; Edema swelling and cancer treatment.
National Cancer Institute. Smith CC. Clinical manifestations and evaluation of edema in adults. Seller RH, et al. Swelling of the legs. In: Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints.
Elsevier; Accessed Feb. Cardiomyopathy Chelation therapy for heart disease: Does it work? 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. Some medications that may cause swelling as a side effect include:. If a person experiences side effects from their medications, they should talk to their doctor.
The doctor may suggest lowering the dosage of the medication or switching to a different drug altogether. When a woman is pregnant, it is normal for some swelling to occur in the feet and ankles. The swelling may be worse if a woman is on her feet during the day. However, sudden or severe swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet could be a sign of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a condition characterized by high blood pressure during pregnancy. It can threaten the safety of the woman as well as the unborn fetus.
Preeclampsia subsides after a woman has given birth. A woman should talk to a doctor about the symptoms she is experiencing so the doctor can help to determine the best way to handle the pregnancy. A person should see their doctor or healthcare provider if they experience any of the following symptoms in the legs and ankles:. A doctor can help diagnose underlying conditions. In most cases, treating the underlying condition will help alleviate swelling in the legs and ankles.
Is that serious? Back To Ask the Expert. Hypertension and venous insufficiency is usually caused by one of the following factors: An obstruction or blockage in the veins, which can come from a tumor, or a deep vein thrombus. A problem with the valves in the veins. A muscle pump failure. Muscle pump failure usually is due to inactivity, neuromuscular disease, aging, arthritis, or sedentary lifestyle, such as being on your feet for long periods of time.
Walking around, going up and down steps, or just strolling to a different part of the office and back will help move the blood through your legs. If you must stand in one place, do some ankle pumps where you flex your ankle down toward the ground and then up toward your knee. Just that slight movement will help with circulation.
Elevating your legs 6 to 12 inches higher than your heart whenever possible will also decrease swelling. If both legs are affected it may suggest a more generalised cause such as fluid retention in the body. Kidney, liver and heart function can influence this. It may also be a side effect of medications. A long period of immobility with the legs dependent below heart level can lead to a build up of fluid, since we rely on the movement of the muscles in the leg to move the blood and fluid up out of the legs towards the heart.
In some illnesses the protein level in the blood stream drops and this causes fluid to move out into the tissues causing bilateral limb swelling. In some cases abnormal fat distribution leads to the appearance of limb swelling and it is mistaken for fluid. When one limb is affected it can point to a more local problem in the leg being the cause of the swelling.
There are a number of possibilities :. Investigations are therefore required to establish which of the above problems is causing the leg swelling. From the vascular perspective, it is important to establish the function of the veins. Lymphoedema is different from venous oedema, and it may be clear that the swelling is lymphoedema from examination. Sometimes specific tests are needed to be more certain. This will be directed to the underlying cause. Compression with support stockings is often helpful.
Vein treatments may be useful. Difficult lymphoedema may need more specilaised therapy. What is lymphoedema? We all have a small amount of fluid lymph in our body tissues. This fluid leaves our blood system to provide water and nourishment to the tissues.
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