Leg edema has many causes including ankle swelling, leg swelling, peripheral edema, swelling of the ankles, and more. Leg edema is the result of too much fluid building up in the feet, legs, and ankles. This particular condition is painless and the swelling is more common in older people and pregnant women. It can affect both of the individual’s legs and can spread as high as the calves and/or thighs. Since gravity works against the fluid buildup it is especially obvious in these areas of the body.
There are many situations where leg edema is more common. These include increased age, pregnancy, obesity, prolonged standing, menstrual periods, long car rides or flights, injury to the foot or ankle, as well as others.
There are some serious health conditions that may be causing leg edema. These include liver or kidney failure as well as heart failure. The reason leg edema may occur as a result of these conditions is because there is more fluid than the body can handle so it accumulates in the ankles, feet, and legs.
Quite a few other conditions could also result in leg edema including a leg infection, blood clot, sunburn, starvation, malnutrition, venous insufficiency, surgery, insect bite, and the like. There are quite a few medications that can cause leg edema, too, including antidepressants, steroids, MAO inhibiters, hormones like in HRT or birth control pills, and tricyclics.
Individuals with leg edema interested in caring for their condition at home should reduce the amount of salt in their diet because it could help with the swelling and fluid retention. Also, wearing support stockings can be very helpful for leg edema. When lying down it is important to elevate your legs. Finally, ensure you get plenty of exercise because this helps remove the fluid from the legs and send it back towards the heart. If you have leg edema and experience a tightness in the chest, chest pain, or shortness of breath you should call 911. Also, if you notice that your swollen ankles/legs/feet are turning warm to the touch or you have a fever, if you are pregnant, or have liver disease, then you should contact your medical care provider.
If your self care measures are not resulting in improvement or the condition gets worse ten it is very important to visit the doctor as soon as possible.
June 17th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Hi there, I was just diagnosed by my doctor with leg edema. He has put me on a diuretic. That is fine and all however I am not very keen on taking pills. I am overweight and am working on getting the weight down. However, I was wondering if there is anything else that I can do that will speed up the process a little. I know it is not an over night thing but if there is something that will help in speeding it up a little it would be great. i do have a job that requires me to sit at a desk for most of the day. It is a professional position, and with summer fast approaching I would love to be able to wear skirts/dressing and shorts (outside of work) but do not feel comfortable doing it with giant elephant legs. Any advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Valerie.
June 29th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Valerie,
I am with you on wanting to get the swelling down as soon as possible. I was told yesterday by a neurologist that I have extensive nerve damage from my swelling. I too have been desirous to get that water out as fast as it is safe and have found a few things. First, it didn’t happen overnight so it won’t go away overnight. After that, there is a list including cutting down on salt, exercising the legs, elevating the legs, and such. Don’t forget to drink a lot of water. Sounds funny to drink more when you are talking about getting rid of more water, but the body systems need that water to properly function and it will help. I don’t find the various pills the doctor has had me on are working all that well, and one made me quite ill, so I gulp a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar just before eating my lunch. Yes, it is a bit unpleasant, but it is better than the alternative. The side effect is that causes a lot more trips down the hall.
Hope this helps.