When is leg swelling a concern?
It is important that you do not take any medications to reduce the swelling unless instructed by your doctor. Indiscriminate use of medications such as diuretics may cause dehydration and kidney injury, as well as electrolyte imbalances that can cause an irregular heartbeat and cramps.
After sitting for a long time, such as during a car or plane ride, one might find that your feet and legs feel heavy or swollen. This usually goes away after walking for a bit or elevating the feet.
Swelling or edema in the legs (manas) is often not a serious health threat, although if left untreated it can become painful and disabling.
Leg swelling is frequently due to a disorder in the veins. Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from all parts of the body back to the heart (unlike arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body). The veins have valves inside them to help keep blood moving in only one direction toward the heart and as blood flows toward the heart the valves open and then close to keep the blood from flowing back.
When the valves are damaged or do not work well, this causes blood to backflow and collect in the legs leading to swelling. If the swelling goes away after elevating the feet, usually overnight it is usually not concerning. This is sometimes called dependent edema. If it persists this vein disease is called chronic venous insufficiency.
The chances of having vein disease can increase with:
- A blood clot in a leg vein (deep venous thrombosis)
- Leg injury
- Being pregnant, especially more than once — changes in hormone levels can weaken vein walls
- Obesity
Symptoms of vein disease can include:
- Pain or a feeling of tired or heavy legs, especially at the end of the day
