7 Common Reasons Why Your Legs Swell

The swelling of legs is usually not accompanied by severe pain and causes only visual discomfort. Often this symptom stays ignored and doesn’t become a reason to visit the doctor, regrettably so. Swelling indicates the presence of an illness in the body. By contacting a doctor in a timely manner, you can prevent the development of a serious disease.

It is important to determine what exactly caused the swelling in order to eliminate the root cause. Edema is often associated with varicose veins, but the causes of leg swelling can signal other health problems.

1. Heart Failure

Edema caused by heart failure has the following features: 

• Edema is formed on the legs 
• They do not cause pain but become painful when pressed
• The skin on the swollen areas has a cyanotic shade and is cold to the touch
• Swelling is motionless
• Fluid accumulates in the evening or in the morning (after sleep)

Patients with heart failure often complain that their legs are numb and freeze. After prolonged lying, the face, hands, and lower back can also swell. Having noticed the swelling of the legs, accompanied by the listed symptoms, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor in order to avoid health risks.

2. Kidney Pathology

Disorders of the kidneys lead to stagnation of fluid in the body. Leg swelling associated with such disorders is usually located on the upper part of the feet. They are symmetrical and soft to the touch. Unlike edema caused by cardiovascular pathologies, renal often appear in the morning. 

3. Allergy

Allergic edema of the legs may develop in response to taking certain medications, insect bites or eating certain types of foods. It often looks like a dense even swelling. The surface of the skin becomes red and covers with a small itching rash. Patients often complain of pain in the affected limb, which occurs after the slightest exertion or prolonged stay in the same position. To solve the problem, it is important to stop in contact with the allergen and take anti-allergic medicines.

4. Injuries

Within a few hours after injury in the affected area becomes swollen. The skin over the damaged area acquires a bluish tint and aches, which prevents the leg from moving normally. A hematoma appears a few days later, and the pain, initially sharp, gradually subsides. If there is a suspicion of a leg injury, you cannot wait. In order to avoid serious problems, it is important to immediately visit a podiatrist and receive the necessary treatment.

5. Liver Disease

With severe liver damage (cirrhosis, malignant neoplasms), a condition called portal hypertension develops. It is associated with the cessation of albumin production, a deficiency which provokes metabolic disorders and blood stasis in the pulmonary circulation. As a result, dense swelling of the ankles is formed.

6. Venous Insufficiency

Pathologies associated with venous insufficiency are diverse. Thrombosis and thrombophlebitis of the vessels of the legs are manifested by constant swelling and pain. The skin above the edema becomes red and hot, and the swelling is dense to the touch. These kinds of diseases are very dangerous and require urgent treatment. The varicose disease is a very common problem that affects about a third of women over 30.

The first signs are a feeling of heaviness and pain in the legs, as well as the gradual development of edema on the ankles, intensifying in the evening and disappearing after a night's rest.

7. Starvation

The process of removing water from the body is closely related to protein metabolism. Vegetarianism, protein-free mono-diets or fasting days can lead to fluid stagnation and swelling of the legs. If this happens, you should consult a nutritionist who will create a diet that suits you.