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What Causes Distension Of Abdomen Along With Swollen Legs?

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Posted on Fri, 19 Dec 2014
Question: I have had a distended abdomen for the past few weeks, and some pain along with that. On Friday, my left knee started to hurt and now both of my legs are swollen as well as my feet.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Can be due to various causes.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The distension of abdomen followed by the swelling in both the legs is likely to be due to a water retention in your body. It can be due to an infection or liver disease or cardiac failure.
Other cause could have been not taking adequate fluids coupled with a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates.
Other serious causes are kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause such swelling.

You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive this.

If the symptoms persist then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12307 Questions

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What Causes Distension Of Abdomen Along With Swollen Legs?

Brief Answer: Can be due to various causes. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. The distension of abdomen followed by the swelling in both the legs is likely to be due to a water retention in your body. It can be due to an infection or liver disease or cardiac failure. Other cause could have been not taking adequate fluids coupled with a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates. Other serious causes are kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause such swelling. You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms: 1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent. 2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them). 3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks. 4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids. 5) You can take diuretic pills after consulting your doctor to relive this. If the symptoms persist then I suggest you an immediate physician consultation. You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal