Edema is a condition causing your legs to swell. It can also affect your feet and ankles. There are multiple causes of edema including varicose veins. If your legs and ankles swell frequently, read further about varicose veins and edema.
Edema Is A Painful Condition
Edema occurs due to leaking fluids in your veins. It can derive from poor circulation, and as mentioned, varicose veins among many other causes.
Sometimes edema is caused by less worrisome conditions like pregnancy, your medications, sitting or standing for long periods of time, a high salt diet, an allergic reaction, poor nutrition, and premenstrual symptoms. If this is a chronic problem for you, seek medical attention.
There are of course, more serious reasons for edema, but whatever the cause, it is painful.
Some symptoms may include:
- Trouble walking
- Chronic leg pain and achiness
- Itching and cramping
- Leg fatigue
- Puffiness in face and hands
- Swollen skin that looks shiny
- Difficulty breathing
- Non-healing wounds on your legs or ankles
When The Cause Of Edema Is Varicose Veins
Edema can also be caused by venous insufficiency also known as vein disease. Venous insufficiency is when the one-way valves in your veins do not work properly, and instead of pushing blood forward to the heart, blood flows backward, builds up, and pools usually in the legs.
When the vein becomes swollen, it becomes a varicose vein. Some varicose veins form deeper inside the leg and are invisible, but you will still feel the pain and have swelling.
This type of varicose vein can lead to serious issues like deep vein thrombosis or clots. It is imperative to treat the clot before it can reach the heart or lungs. Don’t wait to contact the Vein Center at Brinton Lake if your pain and swelling becomes severe, or if your skin turns more reddish.
If ulcers appear and do not heal, contact the Vein Center at Brinton Lake as soon as possible for treatment.
Treating Edema From Varicose Veins
Sometimes, consuming less salt can reduce swelling, or you may be given a diuretic to reduce fluid in your body. Elevate your legs above your heart, and invest in compression stockings.
If these lifestyle changes do not improve your edema/venous insufficiency, there are minimally invasive treatments to improve the condition.
Contact the Vein Center at Brinton Lake at (610) 579-3516, or request an appointment online, if you are experiencing swollen legs and ankles and discover what treatment is right for you.
