Swollen feet are a common symptom that can indicate a he alth problem, but sometimes occur in perfectly he althy people. If your leg is swollen, you should contact a specialist quickly because it could be a sign of a serious illness.
Which diseases can cause leg swelling?
• First of all, it is worth examining your kidneys - they most often provoke swelling. If due to some disease they cannot cope with the large amount of fluid intake, it will inevitably be retained in the limbs.
• With pathologies of the cardiovascular system, the heart will not be able to cope with the load. The pressure will drop and the blood and lymph will stagnate in the lower parts of the body.
• Rheumatism and joint destruction work on a similar principle: blood circulation is impaired, the joint capsule becomes inflamed and the area around the affected area swells.
• Varicose veins lead to fluid retention. The legs usually swell in the evening, but at night their condition normalizes.
• Liver diseases and hormonal disorders lead to improper metabolism, in which the body begins to absorb less fluid.
What tests will help you find the problem?
First of all, the doctor will conduct a visual examination. If you have tests for past diseases, especially chronic ones, be sure to show them at the examination - they will facilitate diagnosis. After the examination, you will be referred for further tests:
• complete blood tests, including blood clotting
• ECG
• hormone blood tests
• ultrasound of the veins and arteries of the lower extremities, as well as the abdominal cavity and pelvis to detect diseases of the internal organs
• MRI and CT to more precisely locate the problem area.
Depending on the results of the tests, the doctor will determine the location of the pathology and refer you to a narrower specialist. To a cardiologist - for heart diseases, to a phlebologist - for problems with blood vessels. The nephrologist and urologist will help with kidney problems, and the endocrinologist will prescribe treatment for deviations in the hormonal background.
