Leg swelling is not just unsightly, it's also uncomfortable and painful. According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau report, 4.4 million people complain of leg swelling each year in the United States, making it one of the country's most common health problems. The resulting heaviness and discomfort in the legs, ankles and feet detracts from your health and your overall ability to enjoy life. It's important to find the underlying cause so that it can be treated successfully. I see patients every day who come to me looking for treatment options, hoping to find relief. Leg swelling, or edema, is a debilitating condition that affects your ability to work, relax, sleep and function during the day. It affects both. men and women of any age. There are a variety of causes - some easy to diagnose and others more obscure. You may experience leg swelling in both legs equally, or it can occur predominantly in just one leg. The reasons vary depending on your experience, the presence of existing medical conditions, medications you may be taking, your environment and even your lifestyle.
It's important to note that venous reflux is one possible cause of leg swelling, one that is typically overlooked. Venous reflux is a condition in which the veins in the legs begin to fail and lose their ability to keep blood flowing to the heart. This condition is always associated with one or more of the following symptoms: aching, cramps, calf and ankle swelling, heaviness in the calf, restless legs syndrome and generalized fatigue. Swelling, when present as a result of vein reflux, always involves the calf. Symptoms worsen after standing or sitting for long periods, and always worsen at he end of the day.
For leg swelling that is a symptom of vein reflux, the only treatment option that will address the root cause of the swelling is vein treatment. A simple vein screening with an ultrasound of the veins in your leg will determine whether or not vein reflux is the cause. Vein screenings are free, and are a simple procedure that can easily rule out one of the more common causes of leg swelling.
Then, if vein reflux is determined to not be the cause, you'll be able to take that information back to your health care provider and have a more detailed conversation about solutions. For that reason, we invite you to download our free ebook "What are the Causes of Leg Swelling: What You Should Know" to learn more about the different causes of leg swelling. Armed with the right information, you can advocate for yourself and talk with your healthcare provider, moving closer to finding a solution.
Download our free ebook “What are the Causes of Leg Swelling: What You Should Know.” by clicking here or on the image below.
