Dr. Amir Khan, familiar to viewers from ITV’s Lorraine and Good Morning Britain, has taken to Instagram to discuss the causes behind swollen legs – and the one thing you should always get checked out.
The GP said that swollen legs, or oedema, result from fluid accumulation in the tissues, often affecting the feet, ankles, or legs. While some causes are simple to address, others may require medical attention.
Dr. Amir said gravity is one potential cause of swollen legs: “If you spend a lot of time sitting or standing for one place for too long without moving around, water can naturally get pulled down into your legs and feet.”
He also mentioned that weak vein valves could lead to swelling, noting: “When the valves in your veins are weak, it’s hard for them to push blood back up to your heart and leads to varicose veins and a build-up of fluid in the legs.”
Other factors contributing to leg swelling, as identified by Dr. Amir, include certain medications like blood pressure tablets, diets high in salt, pregnancy, and even warm weather. Although most causes affect both legs, he stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical advice if swelling occurs in just one limb.
“There are some things that can cause swelling in just one leg. And as a general rule, I would always get single leg swelling checked out as it could be something serious like a blood clot or DVT.” noted Dr. Amir. “It could be an infection or it could even be a cancer in the pelvis or abdomen, which is obstructing the flow of fluid in the leg. Always, always, always get it investigated.”
Dr Amir highlighted that there are various medical conditions that could lead to swollen legs: “There are a number of medical underlying conditions that can cause leg swelling as well. So heart failure, lung disease, liver and kidney disease as well as thyroid diseases can all cause swelling in the legs.”
He also said lymphedema could be another cause: “Lymphedema occurs when your body lymph nodes aren’t filtering lymph fluid as well as they should When that happens it can cause swelling in any of the limbs including the legs and it can be quite dramatic.”
To reduce leg swelling, Dr Amir advised elevating the legs while resting and staying active with regular walks, but he also spoke of other treatments for swollen legs: “Sometimes stockings or compression bandages can help, but only on the advice of a healthcare professional and remember to keep salt intake to healthy levels.”
For further information on oedema, visit the NHS website.