What are the common causes of swelling of the lower legs?
The swelling of the lower legs is often a symptom of the basic state, although the cause may also be generally harmless. For example, position or sitting for too long in one place, pregnancy, menstruation and excessive body weight can cause swelling, especially in lower legs. On the other hand, it may be a sign of a serious problem, such as pre -eclampsia during pregnancy, blood clots or organ failure. Less serious health problems can also lead to swelling of the lower legs such as sunburn, insect bite, injury or certain drugs.
Many people experience swelling of the lower legs when they are on long car trips or when traveling by plane because they are forced to stay in the same position for a long time, causing the accumulation of fluids in this area. Pregnancy is well known for causing swelling throughout the body, as well as menstruation, often from flatulence in the abdomen to the swelling of the lower legs. Those who are overweight also often suffer from swelling in the ankles, the legs of the adolnate legs.
Of course, sometimes the swelling of the lower legs should not be ignored or considered normal. For example, some swelling in pregnancy is normal, but if it deteriorates overnight or seems extreme, it could be a sign of preeclampsia. This condition usually also occurs with high blood pressure and is dangerous for both the mother and the unborn child. Organ failure can also be accompanied by swelling of the lower legs, as the kidneys, liver and heart problems can cause excess fluid in the body. A blood clot can also be the cause of swelling, especially if it seems suddenly and causes the leg to hurt and feel cool.
other conditions can also lead to swelling of the lower legs, but in such cases, swelling is an unfortunate side effect that should disappear as soon as the basic problem is solved. One examples is burning that often causes lower legs to feel heavy, though regular burn of the obvYkle has the same effect. Insects and bites can lead to swelling in the affected area, as well as sprained or tense ankles, although these injuries are usually accompanied by pain and bruises. Finally, some drugs may have swelling of the lower legs as a side effect, especially those that include hormones such as testosterone or estrogen. Steroids, antidepressants and some drugs that were supposed to reduce blood pressure may also affect the body in the same way, although swelling often disappears when these drugs are interrupted.