Have you noticed uncomfortable swelling in your legs and ankles? While there are daily activities that can lead to swollen legs, vein disease is one of the most common culprits. You can also get swollen legs from injuries or other medical problems. The best way to determine what’s causing your swollen legs is to consult the specialists at Summit Skin & Vein Care.
It’s extremely important that you don’t dismiss the signs if you notice your legs swelling. Sudden symptoms can be brought on by a number of different factors, including:
Varicose Veins
When the walls of the deep veins in your legs are affected by venous insufficiency, blood may start to pool in the veins. The building pressure can be uncomfortable and cause some patients’ legs to swell. Varicose veins can cause a lot of discomfort and sometimes lead to blood clots that will also lead to swelling.
Injuries
A sports injury is also a common cause of swollen legs. When your leg, foot, or ankle gets hurt, it goes into defensive mode and surrounds the injured area with fluid and white blood cells. Ice and elevating the injured body part can usually help with swelling, but prolonged swelling might be a sign of more serious issues.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can lead to vein disease and swollen legs as early as the first trimester. As you gain weight throughout your pregnancy, added stress on your veins can also cause varicose veins. Some of these symptoms are signs of more serious pregnancy conditions like preeclampsia. Consult your OBGYN and vein specialist together if you are pregnant and notice that your legs are swelling.
Kidney Failure
If you have a family history of kidney disease, swollen legs could be a sign that your kidneys aren’t able to do their job. Kidneys are supposed to remove waste from your blood. If you suspect that your swollen legs are caused by kidney problems, seek immediate medical attention.
Arthritis
Finally, if you suffer from arthritis or joint pain, you may be susceptible to swollen legs. Gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis are all conditions that may be accompanied by swelling in your legs. If you’re concerned that the swelling is associated with something more serious, you should consult a vein specialist as soon as possible.