Leg swelling is a fairly common medical complaint that affects a lot of us from time to time. Standing for long periods, sitting during a long plane ride, hot weather, pregnancy, and even certain medications can all lead to temporary leg swelling — and while it can definitely be alarming, it usually resolves on its own relatively quickly.
That said, leg swelling isn’t always harmless. Here, Anthony B. Lewis, MD, FACC, and the team at TLC Medical Group Inc. explain why swelling occurs in the first place and when swelling could be a sign of a much more serious medical problem.
Every part of our body needs fluid to function normally and stay healthy. In fact, about 60% of the human body is composed of fluid. In most cases, excess or “used” fluids drain away naturally. But if fluid won’t or can’t drain away, it builds up in your tissues, causing swelling (edema). When swelling happens in your legs or feet, it’s called peripheral edema.
Lots of factors can lead to peripheral edema, including problems with your cardiovascular system, heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, infections, blood clots, and traumatic injury. As noted earlier, lots of “harmless” factors can cause swelling, too.
At first glance, there’s no easy way to tell whether the swelling you’re experiencing is benign or potentially harmful. And because there are so many possible causes, paying attention to any other symptoms you may be having can help you decide if you need prompt medical attention or if it’s OK to see if the swelling goes away on its own.
Fortunately, many of the symptoms associated with those more serious underlying issues are relatively easy to spot.
If you have sudden swelling in only one leg, it could be due to a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is frequently accompanied by other symptoms, like localized pain, cramping, tenderness, warmth, redness, or skin discoloration. Without prompt treatment, a clot can break away and travel through your bloodstream to your lungs, causing a potentially life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
If you have leg swelling accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or difficulty breathing, these signs may indicate a blood clot in your lungs, a heart condition, or another serious medical issue. Prompt care is essential, and depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might consider calling 9-1-1.
Infections can cause leg swelling, too — even infections not “local” to your leg. In most instances, you’ll have other signs, like fever, chills, and fatigue, along with localized symptoms, like redness, warmth, tenderness, or drainage. People with chronic health issues that affect circulation and healing are especially at risk, including people with poorly managed diabetes or weakened immune systems.
Swelling that doesn’t go away after a few hours, swelling that recurs, or swelling that gets worse instead of getting better are all signs that you need to call our office right away. These symptoms could point to an underlying problem with your circulation or another medical issue that won't go away on its own — and could even worsen very quickly.
Swelling can sometimes be related to serious heart or blood vessel problems. If you have a personal history of heart disease or vascular problems, don’t wait to see if swelling subsides. Call Dr. Lewis right away for guidance.
Finally, if swelling causes one leg to feel cooler or warmer than the other, or if the skin appears red, discolored, stretched, or shiny, it’s time to call our office. These signs can occur when swelling intensifies or when an underlying problem is worsening rapidly.
Leg swelling might be relatively common, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be serious. Knowing which other symptoms to look for is key to ensuring serious issues receive the professional care and attention they need to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Bottom line: If you have leg swelling and you’re not sure why, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. To have your swelling medically evaluated, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Lewis and the team at TLC Medical Group in Port St. Lucie, Florida, today.
