Your legs are looking like they belong to the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. You look down and can barely see your toes. And, wouldnโt you know, you suddenly have cankles (calf-ankles) where your ankles used to be.
โWhy are my legs so swollen?โ you ask.
Itโs a good question โ and not an easy one to answer.
And those can range from no big deal to very serious.ย
When should you be concerned? ย ย ย
Signs your legs are swollen
If you find it difficult to put on or take off your shoes or socks, it could be a hint that something is amiss. Or if you find that itโs more difficult than usual to bend at your ankles, swelling may be the culprit.ย ย
Other signs of swollen legs may include:ย
- Indents left on your skin when you remove your socks or pant legs.
- Legs or feet that feel heavy, numb or itchy.
- Skin that looks puffy, stretched or shiny.
- Skin that feels tight or painful.
Reasons your legs may be swelling
Swollen legs can stem from a wide range of causes, Dr. Caputo reiterates. Sometimes, itโs a result of fluid buildup after a long day on your feet. In other cases, leg swelling can be a sign of a serious condition.
1. Edema
If youโve been on your feet all day, itโs not uncommon to have some puffiness in your feet or legs. Same if youโve been sitting for hours in a car or on a plane. That swelling, calledย edema, strikes when fluid builds up in your feet and legs. Itโs more common in people who are overweight or pregnant but can happen to anyone.ย
What to do about it: Limit salt in your diet. When youโre traveling, get up frequently to stretch and move. If you have mild swelling and want to de-puff, go for a walk, do some ankle rolls or prop your feet up on pillows.
2. Deep vein thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosisย (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a vein of your body, usually (but not always) in your pelvis, thigh or lower leg. Typical symptoms of DVT include:ย
- Enlarged veins near your skinโs surface.
- Pain or tenderness in your leg.
- Swelling in one leg, sometimes accompanied by skin thatโs red or warm to the touch.
DVT isnโt life-threatening itself. However, if a clot breaks free, it can travel to your lungs and block the flow of blood. That can lead to aย pulmonary embolismย โ a very serious situation.ย ย
What to do about it: If you experience signs of DVT, itโs important to seek treatment right away to lessen your risk of pulmonary embolism. Your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Elevating your legs.
- Wearingย compression stockings.ย
- Medication.
- Surgical treatment.
3. Venous insufficiency
Sometimes, the veins in your legs can become weakened. When that happens, blood doesnโt flow as easily back to your heart. As a result, you can develop varicose veins and fluid buildup in your legs. Venous insufficiency sometimes develops in people whoโve had DVT in the past.
What to do about it: If youโre living with venous insufficiency, your healthcare provider may recommend:
- Lifestyle changes like increased exercise and weight loss.
- Compression socks orย intermittent pneumatic compression devices.
- Medication.
- Surgical treatment.
4. Lymphedema
Lymphedemaย occurs when your bodyโs lymph nodes arenโt filtering lymph fluid as well as they should. When that happens, it can cause swelling of one or more limbs, ranging from mild to dramatic.ย
Lymphedema sometimes occurs in people whoโve had lymph nodes removed for cancer treatment. It can affect others whose lymph nodes are damaged or working improperly for other reasons.
What to do about it: Common treatments for managing lymphedema include:
- Compression stockings and devices.
- Lymphatic drainageย (a form of self-massage).ย
- Exercise.
- Surgical treatment.
5. Heart, kidney or liver disease
When your organs arenโt working as well as they should, fluid can build up in your legs.ย Congestive heart failure,ย kidney diseaseย andย liver diseaseย can all cause swelling in your legs.ย
What to do about it: If you have (or suspect you have) any of these conditions and notice new or persistent swelling in your legs, talk to a healthcare provider about managing those conditions.
Should I see a doctor about my swollen legs?
Plenty of other conditions can also make legs swell, including infections, injuries and conditions likeย arthritis. If the puffiness isnโt too dramatic and resolves within a day or so, itโs probably nothing to lose sleep over. Talk with a healthcare provider, though, if your swelling:ย
