Home🦵 Swollen Legs and Edema: What Underlying Conditions Could Be Causing It?
🦵 Swollen Legs and Edema: What Underlying Conditions Could Be Causing It?
If you’ve noticed your legs, ankles, or feet becoming puffy, swollen, or tight, you’re not alone.
This condition — called edema — occurs when fluid builds up in the tissues of the lower limbs. While it’s often mild and temporary, persistent or sudden swelling can be a warning sign of a deeper health issue.
And while many people brush it off as “just standing too long” or “hot weather,” swollen legs can point to serious conditions — especially when they appear alongside other symptoms.
Let’s explore the common and not-so-common causes of leg swelling, when to be concerned, and what to do next.
đź’§ What Is Edema?
Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by fluid retention in body tissues.
In the legs, it typically affects:
Ankles
Feet
Lower legs
Sometimes thighs
It may feel:
Puffy or tight
Dented (when you press your finger into the skin — called “pitting edema”)
Heavier than usual
🔍 Common in older adults, pregnant women, and those who sit or stand for long periods — but not always harmless.
