Leg swelling, also known as edema is a quite common condition among adults. When you experience leg swelling as an individual, it often falls under the category of a serious health condition or just a temporary thing, like a reaction to not moving about e.g sitting down for too long unserious.
However, it is quite important to know more about the serious health conditions that cause leg swelling most especially when it’s happening consistently, this way you have either of the symptoms that you are probably exhibiting and your need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Below is a list of some health conditions that could cause leg swelling.
Acute Kidney Failure
This is a serious health condition that occurs when the kidney becomes unable to perform its function which is the filtering of waste products from the blood. When this happens, the body will have an unhealthy amount of waste products which will in turn affect the blood’s chemical balance.
Symptoms of Acute Kidney Failure
- Fluid retention, causing swelling in your legs, ankles or feet
- Irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Chest pain or pressure
- Seizures or coma in severe cases and so on.
If you notice one or more of these symptoms try to see a physician.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is a serious heart condition that oftentimes leads to death if not treated on time.
What is Heart Failure? Heart Failure is a serious health condition whereby Heart Pumps is unable to pump blood as well as it should. In a situation like this, blood often backs up and fluids will build up in the Lungs thereby causing shortness of breath.
This type of health condition just doesn’t happen, it usually occurs as a result of some underlying health condition such as High Blood Pressure and Narrowed arteries. These conditions weaken the heart and make it unable to pump blood as properly as it should.
Proper Medical treatment and lifestyle changes are ways to help cure and manage heart Failure.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
- Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Reduced ability to exercise.
- Wheezing.
- Cough that doesn’t go away or a cough that brings up white or pink mucus with spots of blood.
- Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup.
- Nausea and lack of appetite.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms or if your symptoms worsens, pls see a doctor.
Lymphedema
This health condition refers to a condition whereby the swelling of the tissues of the body as a result of the build up of protein-rich fluids that is meant to be drained through the lymphatic system.
This condition can affect various parts of the body such as the arms, legs, chest wall, abdomen and so on.
This health condition is usually caused by any situation that blocks the drainage of lymph fluid from the body.
Symptoms of Lymphedema
- Hardening and thickening of the skin (fibrosis)
- A feeling of heaviness or tightness
- Swelling of part or all of the arm or leg, including fingers or toes
- Restricted range of motion
- Recurring infections
If you notice unusual swelling In some parts of your body. Ensure to see your doctor.
Health as they always say, is wealth, whenever you notice any unusual changes in your body, ensure to see your doctor