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What Causes Sudden Swelling In Both Legs?
Question: I have suddenly develpoed swelling of my ankles extending to teh shin with some petechiae. I am generally healthy and am not on mediaction other than a low dose (50mcg) of Thyroxine but teh last blood work done was borderline normal. Over the last 2 days i have been walking a fair bit and its been dreadfully hot and humid. I travel a lot by air and am concerned. What could be the possible causes.?Thanks
Brief Answer:
there are various potential causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
swelling in both legs can be caused by a variety of conditions which may involve:
- the heart (any kind of heart failure, caused by coronary events, myocardiopathy, etc)
- the kidneys (acute or chronic kidney diseases, like glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, acute renal failure, etc)
- the veins (chronic vein insufficiency... acute conditions are not very likely because they are usually unilateral)
- drugs (some of them may cause it, but you haven't mentioned taking any)
- liver problems (uncompensated cirrhosis)
- lymphedema (can be caused by infections or tumors)
- hormonal problems (like thyroid disease)
- standing for too long on a hot day.
Other symptoms may guide further investigation like shortness of breath, tachycardia, bradycardia, etc
Some basic tests to consider include:
- a heart ultrasound (echo), to check the heart functionality
- a vein ultrasound scan (duplex or triplex) to check the veins condition.
- TSH measurement (to identify thyroid problems)
- a urinalysis with microscopic examination of the sediment to identify renal problems like glomerulonephritis.
- an ultrasound scan of the abdomen (particularly the liver) to check for liver-related problems
- some basic blood tests like urea, creatinine, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function tests, INR, albumin, globulins, electrolytes (sodium, potassium).
Depending on the results, more tests might be needed but we usually have a clue after the aforementioned investigations.
Elevation is almost always helpful. Lasix may help sometimes but not always. You'll have to either clarify the cause or try it to see what happens.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
there are various potential causes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
swelling in both legs can be caused by a variety of conditions which may involve:
- the heart (any kind of heart failure, caused by coronary events, myocardiopathy, etc)
- the kidneys (acute or chronic kidney diseases, like glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, acute renal failure, etc)
- the veins (chronic vein insufficiency... acute conditions are not very likely because they are usually unilateral)
- drugs (some of them may cause it, but you haven't mentioned taking any)
- liver problems (uncompensated cirrhosis)
- lymphedema (can be caused by infections or tumors)
- hormonal problems (like thyroid disease)
- standing for too long on a hot day.
Other symptoms may guide further investigation like shortness of breath, tachycardia, bradycardia, etc
Some basic tests to consider include:
- a heart ultrasound (echo), to check the heart functionality
- a vein ultrasound scan (duplex or triplex) to check the veins condition.
- TSH measurement (to identify thyroid problems)
- a urinalysis with microscopic examination of the sediment to identify renal problems like glomerulonephritis.
- an ultrasound scan of the abdomen (particularly the liver) to check for liver-related problems
- some basic blood tests like urea, creatinine, complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver function tests, INR, albumin, globulins, electrolytes (sodium, potassium).
Depending on the results, more tests might be needed but we usually have a clue after the aforementioned investigations.
Elevation is almost always helpful. Lasix may help sometimes but not always. You'll have to either clarify the cause or try it to see what happens.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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