Having swollen legs may indicate a hidden health condition, which requires immediate treatment. At Dr. White’s Vein Center and Morgantown SculpSure & Clear Ink, PLLC at Morgantown, WV, vein specialist Carol White, MD, and her team offer treatments for leg swelling to ensure you enjoy long-term relief from discomfort and enhance your general health. Consult with Morgantown leg swelling specialists through mobile or use the online booking tool to request an evaluation today.
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What is Leg Swelling?
Leg swelling occurs once fluids accumulate in one or both of your legs for various reasons. One of the most prevalent causes of this fluid accumulation is lymphedema, which affects the lymphatic system and often causes lymph fluid to build up in the legs.
Dr. White and her team at Dr. White’s Vein Center and Morgantown SculpSure & Clear Ink, PLLC, understand the two main forms of lymphedema and treat them both. Following an extensive evaluation, she may diagnose you with:
- Primary Lymphedema- primarily genetic; this is leg swelling without any hidden health concern.
- Secondary lymphedema- occurs because of a hidden condition, infection, traumatic injury, or surgery. At times, the condition may be temporary and fade away without medical attention, but in other cases, it necessitates treatment.
What Are the Common Causes of Leg Swelling?
There are numerous probable causes of leg swelling or secondary lymphedema. Dr. White asks particulars about your health history and conducts a comprehensive physical examination to determine the cause of your leg swelling before recommending any treatments.
In addition to lymphedema, circumstances and conditions that can result in leg swelling include tight clothing, heart failure, sitting or standing for long hours, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pregnancy, cirrhosis of the liver, physical inactivity, obesity, and chronic kidney disease. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, Dr. White might conduct blood tests or other tests to examine your leg swelling following the physical examination.
When to See a Doctor About Leg Swelling?
Most conditions resulting in leg swelling need treatments to avoid worsening with time. Because leg swelling may be a sign of a life-threatening health concern, schedule an appointment with Dr. White if your leg swelling lasts for long without relief. Before requesting an initial consultation, take the following at-home care steps to reduce the swelling:
- Raising your legs using a pillow while laying down.
- Take Over-the-Counter anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Reduce sodium intake in your diet.
- Take periodic breaks from sitting or standing for long hours.
If you fail to find relief in these measures, Dr. White can conduct an evaluation and offer individualized treatments for your condition causing leg swelling.
How to Treat Leg Swelling?
At Dr. White’s Vein Center and Morgantown SculpSure & Clear Ink, PLLC, Dr. White and her team utilize various approaches to address leg swelling. The treatments not only reduce the leg swelling but also treat the underlying health condition to reduce the risk for further complications. Following an extensive evaluation of your condition, they may recommend one or more of the following treatments:
- Massage.
- Leg Elevation.
- Compression stockings.
- Movement and exercise.
- Diuretic medications.
In conclusion, vascular specialist Carol White, MD, and her team spend ample time with patients to understand their concerns and what they wish to achieve with treatments for a top-level, personalized treatment plan. Call the office of Dr. White’s Vein Center and Morgantown SculpSure & Clear Ink, PLLC, or use the online booking tool to schedule a leg swelling consultation today.