5 Warning Signs Your Swollen Legs Are Screaming for Medical Help (That You Should Never Ignore)
5 Warning Signs Your Swollen Legs Are Screaming for Medical Help (That You Should Never Ignore)
It is easy to brush off a little puffiness around your ankles at the end of a long day. Maybe you were standing on your feet for an extended shift, or perhaps you just got off a cramped, hours-long flight. But when swelling in your lower legs, ankles, or feet becomes a frequent occurrence—or is accompanied by noticeable discoloration, as seen in the image above—your body is trying to send you an urgent message.
In the medical world, swelling caused by fluid trapped in your body’s tissues is called edema. While it can be caused by simple things like eating too much salt, persistent swelling is often a primary warning sign of a much deeper, underlying health condition.
If you notice your legs are swollen, here are five crucial signs and reasons that mean it is time to say goodbye to “waiting it out” and schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately.
- Chronic Swelling That Leaves a Dent (Pitting Edema)
Not all swelling is created equal. One of the most important tests you can do at home is to press your thumb firmly into the swollen area of your leg or ankle for about 5 seconds. When you remove your thumb, does the skin immediately bounce back, or does it leave a noticeable pit or indent that stays there for several seconds?
