Swollen legs

Introduction The edema of the legs and feet is caused by the increase in too much water in the body and the edema caused by it. At the same time as weight gain, there will be eyelid swelling, ankle or calf edema. Most of the calf edema is caused by kidney or heart disease. However, sometimes the ascites of liver disease, dystrophies caused by insufficient protein, or hormonal abnormalities of menopausal disorders can cause edema of the calves. Local lower extremity edema, mostly due to lower extremity veins, lymphatic obstruction, resulting in body fluids entering the interstitial space.

Cause

Causes of swelling of the legs and feet:

Most of the calf edema is caused by kidney or heart disease. However, sometimes the ascites of liver disease, dystrophies caused by insufficient protein, or hormonal abnormalities of menopausal disorders can cause edema of the calves. Local lower extremity edema. Mostly due to lower extremity veins, lymphatic vessels are blocked, resulting in body fluids entering the interstitial space.

an examination

Related inspection

Urine routine electrocardiogram thyroid 131 iodine absorption rate cerebrospinal fluid immunoglobulin uric acid

Diagnosis of leg and foot edema:

Early detection of edema: if the edema of the foot is caused by heart disease, it is best to find it early, press the tibia with the fingertip in the direction of the bone for 30 seconds, if there is no edema, it will return to the original state; if there is a depression, It was confirmed to be edema. In addition, if you feel that the shoes are tight, it may be one of the edema signals.

The first is to exclude the presence or absence of chronic nephritis, the relevant examination can be done urine, 24-hour urine protein quantitation.

The second is to exclude the cause of the heart, comprehensive consideration of whether it is difficult to climb the building, do ECG, heart B ultrasound and other checks.

The third is to rule out the liver problem, liver function is not good can also cause hypoproteinemia, resulting in edema, blood can be used to check liver function.

The fourth is to exclude endocrine problems, such as hypothyroidism, this aspect can be checked by blood T3, T4, T4 decreased and T3 normal can be regarded as one of the indicators of early diagnosis of hypothyroidism.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of leg and foot edema:

1. If the edema starts from the face and then expands to the whole body, the possibility of kidney disease is high, but it may also be acute nephritis or kidney disease.

2, if the swelling from the feet, it may be heart disease, hypoproteinemia, liver cirrhosis and so on.

3, late pregnancy, the whole body and feet are prone to edema; edema is serious, it may be pregnancy toxemia.

The above edema, pressed with a finger, will move moisture and form a depression.

4, if the hand pressure will not sag, still edema, may be caused by hypothyroidism or drug side effects.

5. The edema caused by standing for a long time is not an abnormal phenomenon.

6, sometimes no disease will also edema, it may be caused by bruises and dislocations. In addition, excessive physical burden, two to three levels of flat feet, abnormal lymphatic vessels, long walks or standing, improper sitting can cause edema: such as sitting in a high chair, feet are not on the ground; On the chair; the shoes will swell when they are not fit. Pregnant women and patients with varicose veins are prone to edema. After a break, the edema will subside. When the weather is hot, the edema will increase.

The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments.