Swollen Legs – Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Leg swelling is a buildup of water in the body tissues that has leaked from the vessels in the legs and has settled in the surrounding tissues. This amount of water released is so large that it cannot be absorbed by the body. Instead, swelling (edema) develops.

This edema can theoretically occur anywhere in the body tissue and thus indicate very specific diseases. When the legs are swollen, there is often a disorder that affects the function of the venous system or the functions affecting the venous system.

causes

The development of swollen legs is due to a change in the pressure relationship between the affected vessels and the surrounding tissue. This can have various causes. Frequently it is just an incorrect strain on the legs due to sitting or standing for a long time or not moving enough.There is also a hereditary predisposition that favors weakness of the veins. Furthermore, swollen legs are a typical pregnancy ailment, since the hormonal balance changes massively.

Some clinical pictures also have swollen legs or feet as a side effect. These include a heart valve defect , heart failure , drug side effects, vascular occlusion and inflammation in the vessels. For these reasons, swollen legs should be checked with a doctor.

When to the doctor?

In most cases, leg swelling is harmless and does not require a medical evaluation. However, the swelling should disappear within 24 hours. However, if the swelling lasts longer or keeps coming back, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

If swelling occurs suddenly and is accompanied by a feeling of heat and pain in the legs, you should also not hesitate and consult your family doctor. This also applies if other complaints are added to the swollen legs. These include fever , chest pain , or shortness of breath. These symptoms can indicate serious cardiovascular disease and should be treated medically immediately.

If the symptoms are due to an underlying disease (e.g. kidney disease), the doctor should be consulted regularly. Sudden changes in swelling and other symptoms can be dangerous here. In this case, medical care is necessary in any case to avoid complications.

If a more serious cause is ruled out by the doctor, it is still advisable for the so-called “edema” to be observed regularly by a doctor.

diagnosis and course

When diagnosing swollen legs, the doctor takes a detailed history of the patient. In addition, the doctor uses a visual diagnosis to examine the external clinical picture and the legs themselves. Varicose veins or skin varicose veins can indicate a venous disease, so that other diseases can be ruled out. Furthermore, during the physical examination, the doctor gently presses on the swollen parts of the body. If a dent remains in the skin for a long time, there may be water retention.

The doctor also gets a good overview of the condition of the veins via an ultrasound examination or an injection of contrast medium under the skin. If swollen legs are not clarified by a doctor, they can lead to thrombosis , leg ulcers or dangerous embolisms.

complications

Swollen legs or edema are symptoms of various other underlying diseases that can have various consequences. In heart failure of the right heart (right heart failure), the blood builds up in the body and especially in the legs. The performance of those affected decreases sharply and there is frequent urination at night . There is also an increased risk of suffering from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, which can lead to cardiac death.

In addition to the heart, the kidneys can also be the cause of edema in the legs. In the case of kidney weakness (renal insufficiency), the body becomes overhydrated, the affected person suffers from high blood pressure (hypertension) and can suffer from its secondary diseases, for example arteriosclerosis or a heart attack. In addition to edema in the legs, there is also frequent edema in the lungs, which is characterized by shortness of breath and chest pain.

In addition, the electrolyte balance changes due to renal insufficiency, which can also promote cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, fewer toxins are excreted, which can lead to urinary poisoning (uremia), which can lead to a coma. Cirrhosis of the liver can also cause swelling in the legs. In addition, coagulation disorders and fluid accumulations in the abdominal cavity are produced. If left untreated, liver cirrhosis can quickly degenerate into liver cancer, with an unfavorable prognosis.

treatment and therapy

Cold compresses and putting your feet up can be used to treat swollen legs. This allows the excess liquid to drain away due to natural gravity. Legs should also be positioned slightly elevated when sleeping. Prolonged periods of standing and lying down should be avoided.

Other helpful measures are contrast showers, medication for drainage and professional lymphatic drainage.With a congenital weakness of the veins, special gymnastics for the legs is recommended. These include sports such as cycling and hiking. It is important to train the calf muscles to pump the slumped blood back to the heart.

Another treatment option is to wear compression stockings. Individually adjusted, they exert pressure on the venous system. This pressure constricts the vessels and thus allows the venous valves to close better.

In addition, the metabolism in the legs improves, which is also conducive to successful treatment. Surgical interventions on the veins can also help against swollen legs.

outlook and prognosis

In most cases, the accumulation of water causes swelling in the legs or joints. However, the further course depends very much on the cause of these deposits. However, the deposits must be examined and treated, since the underlying disease can in most cases have a very negative effect on the heart or the circulatory system of the person concerned.

If the legs are swollen as a result of an injury or an accident, the swelling usually disappears on its own after a few hours or a few days and there are no further complications. It is not uncommon for those affected to suffer from swelling in the legs as well as pain and thus restricted movement. Furthermore, swollen legs can occur if there is damage to the internal organs, with the kidneys in particular being the cause of this complaint. There is no self-healing and the complaint must be treated by a doctor in any case.

prevention

The prevention of swollen legs depends of course on the causes. In general, however, they can be avoided with proper leg management. Standing for long periods of time should be avoided, while the legs should occasionally be put up when sitting. Furthermore, the calf muscles should be strengthened through healthy physical activity, which in turn has a positive effect on the veins. Drinking enough tea and water and reducing alcohol and nicotine consumption also have a preventive effect against swollen legs.