Swollen Leg

swollen Leg?

A swollen leg may be caused by a leg infection, overweight, medications to name a few.

Pharmacist

It could also be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure.

Person with swelling in the leg

Let's see what you are looking at.

Swollen Legs

Is it serious?

It is important to rule out an emergency situation.

Pharmacist

We will start by doing that.

With this swelling of the leg or foot, are you also experiencing shortness of breath?

Especially when you try to do something?

Pharmacist

Yes?
This is not looking good.

Pharmacist

Having a swollen leg with shortness of breath might signal something serious.

Let's Continue and try to make the best decision we can.

Any chest pain?

Pharmacist

Yes?

Is your chest feeling tight?

Pharmacist

Emergency!
Call 911.

Pharmacist

Ambulance

Here is why:

May be looking at heart failure.
List symptoms of heart failure

Note:
You should only continue if you are not experiencing the question asked.

Does it feel as if there is pressure on the chest

With this swollen foot?

Pharmacist

Emergency situation!
Call 911.

Pharmacist

Ambulance

Here is why:

May be looking at heart failure.
List symptoms of heart failure

Note:
You should only continue if you are not experiencing the question asked.

Alright.
Is it just one leg or foot that is swollen?

Pharmacist

Yes?

Is it getting very painful and you know you did not twist or hurt it?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

May be looking at Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

Call your doctor especially if you have a predisposing factor (eg, recent surgery, trauma, immobilization, hormone replacement, cancer).
And if it is just one leg that is affected.

Do you have a history of liver or kidney disease?

Or heart disease?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

If it started suddenly, you must seek urgent medical care.

Here is why:

Possible blood clot problem which can cause havoc if it gets to the heart.
Possible congestive heart failure situation.

Is the affected leg or foot red or warm to touch?

And you know you didn't twist it?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

May be looking at cellulitis or other infection.
May be looking at a serious inflammation going on.

Is it tender and very painful?

And you know you didn't twist it?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

May be looking at cellulitis or other infection.
This suggests an inflammatory cause.

Do you have fever along with this swollen leg or foot?

Pharmacist

Seek urgent care or call the doctor.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Fever along with a painful, swollen joint could be caused by an infected joint.
More than one affected joint could mean rheumatic fever.

Are you pregnant and have a sudden increase in swelling?

Pharmacist

Call the doctor right away.

Pharmacist

Here is why:

Severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia (also called toxemia).
This is a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.

Those were situations of a swollen leg or foot that require emergency care.

Pharmacist

If any applied to you, take it seriously and at least call the doctor or seek urgent care.

If none applied to you, let's continue.

Swollen Leg

What caused it?

It is a good idea to find out what may be causing the swelling.

Pharmacist

Taking care of the underlying cause will usually solve the problem.

Let's see if we can come up with anything that may be causing it.

Did you just start taking a new medication?

Pharmacist

Yes?
Call the pharmacist to see if this is a side effect then let the doctor know about the swelling.

Pharmacist

Do not stop taking the medication without the advice of your doctor.

The doctor may give you a diuretic to help with the swelling or change the medication to something else depending on the level of swelling.

Are you pregnant?

Pharmacist

Yes?
Most women have some swelling during pregnancy.

Pharmacist

More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia (also called toxemia), a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.

Other causes of swelling of the leg or foot are listed below.

Pharmacist

This includes:

Standing for a long time
Long air flight
Long car ride

If the swelling is severe or getting worse and you have no idea what is causing it, you should see a doctor.

Not all leg or foot swelling is harmful. Consequences depend mainly on the cause.

Would you like to see what a pharmacist recommend you do to reduce the swelling or visit the nearest urgent care clinic?

Urgent Care Continue