Commonly Asked Questions
Why do my legs swell?
Leg swelling may occur for many reasons. When it is related to venous disease it may be because of increased pressure in the veins from heart or lung disease or because the veins are not working properly because the valves are worn out or incompetent and there is reflux or back-flow in the veins . Other causes of swelling may include liver disease, kidney disease, medication, problems with water balance, or mechanical loss of the “calf muscle pump”. Your doctor can do laboratory testing and vascular testing to determine what conditions you may have.
What if my swelling in only in one leg?
Swelling that affects only one leg may be more likely to be problem with outflow or obstruction of the vein . You need to seek medical attention to make sure there is not an acute deep vein thrombosis(DVT) or other important cause.
What causes the veins to not work well?
In many cases, veins may wear out because of an inherited(related to the family) or genetic (your own gene make up) predisposition. If you have a family history of varicose veins, this may not be avoidable.Trauma or injury to the vein is another cause for the veins to not work well, this is the case after a blood clot or deep vein thrombosis. Increased pressure in the veins from obesity may also contribute to the veins not working well.
What can I do about my swelling?
Once your doctors determine the cause, they can provide therapy to help with this problem. In many cases, elevating the foot of the bed to provide drainage of the leg at night and using compression stockings may be helpful. Of course, if there is problem with your heart or other organs your vein specialist will need to address these concerns also.
Can pes planus (flat feet) be causing vein problems?
Pes planus is a condition characterized by loss of height in medial longitudinal arch, which cause pain, ankle deformity, instability, and severe functional limitations in the person. As a result, loss of foot arch height can cause pumping insufficiency in the venous system. Flat feet as a risk factor for venous problems.