Leg Edema Or Leg Swelling
Swelling in different parts of the body often occurs because of the accumulation of body fluids in the tissues. Accumulation of body fluids in tissues (called edema) will result in swelling of that body part. Leg swelling occurs when the blood accumulates in the veins of the legs which increases the blood pressure and often forces fluid out of the veins directly into the tissues. Accumulation of blood might also occur in case the heart cannot pump out the blood supply that it receives from the other parts of the body as seen in case of heart failure. Accumulation of blood similarly might also occur in case the deep veins located in the legs are blocked which happens in the case of deep vein thrombosis.
Hence many doctors diagnose the cause of swelling in the ankles, legs and feet as venous problems like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or cardiac failure. However in most cases leg swelling is caused by normal situations such as sitting or standing for long periods of time in one position, changes in the veins of the leg as the person ages and can also be commonly observed in the legs of women during pregnancy. Swelling otherwise might occur due to disorders in the kidney or liver.
In case a body part receives inadequate blood supply that body part often feels numb. The inadequate blood supply can be observed in different body parts in patients suffering from anemia. The inadequate blood supply is also observed if the veins in the human body do not drain in the proper manner and the skin of the affected place begins to appear purplish, bluish or pale in color.
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Yasser Elnahas
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