Causes of leg swelling
Swelling in the legs typically results from fluid buildup or inflammation.
- Fluid buildup – sitting or standing for long periods of time, pregnancy, overweight and obesity, medications and more can cause a buildup of fluids in the lower limbs
- Inflammation – swelling is one symptom of inflammation which results from injury or damage to tissues or joints
Leg swelling
Do you experience leg swelling on a regular basis? It may affect your thighs, calves, ankles, feet or a combination of areas. Leg swelling is typically attributable to one of two things:
- Fluid buildup – Swelling caused by fluid buildup, called peripheral edema, can occur when one of the body systems that controls fluid balance goes awry. Gravity itself can also lead to increased fluid in the lower limbs.
- Inflammation – The body’s immune system response to injury, inflammation can cause swelling in injured or diseased tissues and joints.
Although swollen feet and ankles are common and sometimes harmless, in some instances, swelling can indicate serious health issues. Consult with a healthcare provider to determine the cause. This is especially important when the swelling occurs without an obvious reason, when the legs or ankles stay swollen, or when swelling is accompanied by seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Fluid buildup and swelling
Swelling associated with fluid buildup can result from:
- Standing for long periods of time
- Sitting for long airplane flights or car rides
- Pregnancy – Although some swelling is normal, excessive swelling could be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition.
- Overweight and obesity
- Increased age
- Medications, including:
- Hormones such as estrogen (found in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
- Certain blood pressure medicines
- Steroids, including corticosteroids such as prednisone
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Anti-depressants including tricyclics and MAO inhibitors
- Diabetes medications
- Heart failure, kidney failure, liver failure – With these conditions, leg swelling is typically accompanied by other symptoms. If you experience swelling with other symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
- Venous insufficiency – Ordinarily, the veins send blood to the heart using one-way valves. When these valves malfunction, blood leaks back down the vessels and pools in the soft tissue of the lower legs.
Inflammation and swelling
Inflammation is the body’s immune system response to injury. Chemical clean-up crews are sent to the damage site; swelling, pain, redness and heat are some signs that inflammation is hard at work. In fact, leg swelling is often accompanied by pain. Inflammation–related swelling can be activated by:
- Sprained ankle – ligaments that hold the ankle in place are over–stretched
- Other ligament or tendon injuries in the knees or ankles
- Infection or wound
- Broken bone in the foot or ankle
- Knee bursitis – inflammation of a fluid–filled sac that protects and cushions the joint
- Arthritis
- Gout
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