Chronic (long standing) leg swelling caused by the retention of fluid in leg tissues is also known as peripheral edema. It can be caused by a problem with the venous circulation system, the lymphatic system or the kidneys. Any sudden onset leg swelling with or without injury is reason to seek immediate medical attention. This could be an infection, fractured bone, or blood clot.
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Symptoms
Most often people with chronic leg swelling complain of feeling a heaviness in their swollen leg(s) and an achiness or sometimes, pain. It can make walking distances or activity uncomfortable or unachievable. There may some skin changes to your leg that might include skin discoloration, wound formation +/- drainage.
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Causes
Medicines and pregnancy can cause leg swelling. It also can be the result of a disease, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency, blood clot or cirrhosis of the liver. A primary care professional or vascular specialist can offer more details on what is causing your swelling.
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Treatment
Mild swelling can go away on its own. Wearing compression garments and raising the affected leg higher than the heart when lying down helps.
Graduated compression socks and medicines that help the body get rid of too much fluid can treat worse forms of edema. A primary care provider can decide about the need for these water pills. Compression socks work by pushing stagnant fluid in the legs back up to the heart by leveraging your calf muscle pump. Over time, this improves any achiness, fatigue, discomfort, and reduces possible damage to leg skin.
Treating the cause of the swelling is often the focus over time. If edema is a result of medicines, for example, a care provider might change the dose or look for another medicine that doesn't cause edema.
