Causes of Leg Swelling

There is a wide range of things that can cause leg swelling. Sometimes because of this overwhelming reality, the wrong diagnosis can be made as to the cause. Nevertheless, the description and seriousness of the leg swelling along with the presence of other symptoms are what most doctors consider during a physical examination of a patient with leg swelling.

Peripheral Edema

• Peripheral edema is usually confined to the lower extremities. It is caused by a rapid build-up of fluids. This may be caused by normal aging, but it is also linked to other medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, pregnancy, hypertension, trauma, alcoholism, as well as any malfunction of the circulatory system, kidneys or lymphatic system. Some medicines have also been known to trigger peripheral edema, including pregabalin and amlodipine.

Nephrotic Syndrome

• Nephrotic syndrome is another nonspecific disorder which can cause damage to the kidneys and make it possible for large amounts of protein to be leaked from the blood directly into the urine. The normal function of the kidneys is to filter any waste and excess water from through blood vessels normally. Nephrotic syndrome interrupts this process and causes it not to function properly. This in turn makes the protein leak from the blood and leads to leg swelling called edema.

Inflammation

• Another thing that can create leg swelling is inflammation caused by various factors. Generalized inflammation can start in leg tissues due to the presence of some form of injury or specific disease. Inflammation is a normal response of the immune system to injury or disease, or it can be the direct result of some form of inflammatory disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation can be caused by Achilles tendon rupture, a broken bone or gout.

Cardiomyopathy

• Cardiomyopathy is also called the "heart muscle disease" and it happens when the myocardium, which is the heart muscle itself, starts to deteriorate. If this condition does develop, the person is at a risk for arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death. Cardiomyopathy can cause visible swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.

Considerations

• In some cases, the swelling may be caused by more than one condition. For example, leg swelling accompanied by shortness of breath may be the result of a blood clot. In this case, the swollen leg is extremely painful, cool to touch and pale in appearance.