Leg Swelling Chicago
Are You Experiencing Swelling in Your Legs?
Do you find that your shoes and/or socks leave a lasting indentation when you remove them at the end of the day? Or maybe you are noticing visible swelling around your ankles after you have been on your feet for a while. If you are experiencing swelling in your legs it is important to determine the cause.
Causes and Conditions
Leg swelling is a condition that can vary in severity and duration from case to case. It can affect the legs, ankles, and/or feet. There are two main factors that may cause your legs to swell. The first is a build-up of fluids in your legs, ankles, or feet. This retention of fluids is also called “peripheral edema” and can be caused by a number of health issues or you may experience the fluid build-up from either sitting or standing for too long. The second reason your legs become swollen may be related to inflammation, due to either an injury or diseased tissue. Normally, you will have some more pain if your legs, ankles, or feet are swelling due to inflammation.
Swelling can occur in any part of the leg for many reasons. Acute swelling that develops along with other symptoms like chest pain, difficulty breathing, or dizziness may indicate a blood clot in the heart or lungs and requires immediate medical attention. This is also true if the swelling accompanies a traumatic injury or occurs for no apparent reason.
Chronic swelling in the legs is caused by fluid buildup (edema) and the conditions that cause this include inflammation, pregnancy, as well as heart, kidney, liver, and circulatory problems. If you are suffering from persistent swelling in your legs, you should schedule a doctor visit for a complete check up to determine the underlying cause.
Some of the more common causes of leg swelling can be linked to being overweight, taking certain hormones or steroids, taking certain medications such as blood pressure medications or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or being confined for extended periods of time. If you are on your feet for extended periods of time, this can also cause leg swelling. Your legs may also swell if you are pregnant.
Usually, the condition is just uncomfortable, but can reach the point where it is painful. Make sure to keep your legs elevated above your heart when laying down if they are swelling. Putting a pillow underneath your legs is a good way to accomplish this.
More medically dire conditions that may cause leg swelling include injury, blood clots, infection, certain chronic diseases, and venous insufficiency (meaning your veins are not pumping blood through your body sufficiently).
Swelling Due to Venous Insufficiency
Varicose and spider veins are caused by leaky valves in the veins, which cause the blood to pool and the vein walls to weaken and bulge. This condition, when left untreated, can lead to higher venous blood pressure (venous hypertension) as the body tries to push the blood through faster. This increased pressure can result in more damaged valves, more blood pooling, and worsening of the condition.
When varicose veins are present, the venous system is not able to do its job (venous insufficiency), and as more blood backs up, it begins to leak out of the walls and into the surrounding tissue, causing swelling and pain.
If it is determined that you are not suffering from serious heart, kidney, or liver disease (and even if you are in some cases), you may find that your leg swelling can be alleviated by treating your varicose and spider veins. When you eliminate damaged veins, your circulatory system can adapt and restore proper blood flow—reducing chronic leg swelling.
Veins Without Surgery
It’s important to recognize the point at which swollen legs should be treated medically, because leg swelling might be the symptom of an underlying health problem that needs to be addressed. If leg swelling is painful, appears for no apparent reason, or persists for more than a day or two, it is probably time to reach out to a health professional. If you have difficulty breathing, chest pains, or tightness in your chest along with your leg swelling, seek emergency medical care immediately. You should also seek medical attention immediately if your leg swelling occurs after an injury or accident. Treatment should occur sooner rather than later.
If you are a resident of Chicago, Naperville, or Schaumburg, Illinois and you are experiencing leg swelling, Veins Without Surgery may be able to help you. Our experienced physicians and staff are available at locations in all three areas, and have the experience and knowledge to deal with your leg swelling. Treatment options may vary depending on the severity of the condition as well as its underlying cause. Request an appointment to discuss your leg swelling either online or over the phone today.
