Leg Swelling Symptoms
Symptom Checker: Symptoms & Signs Index
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Leg swelling generally occurs because of an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the lower extremity. The medical term for leg swelling from excessive fluid in the tissues is edema. Persisting indentation of a swollen leg after pressure from a finger is known as pitting edema.
Less common causes of leg swelling include diseases that cause thickness of the layers of skin, such as scleroderma and eosinophilic fasciitis. In these diseases, the leg swelling is characterized by non-pitting edema.
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REFERENCE:
Fauci, Anthony S., et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2008.
Causes of Leg Swelling
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Cirrhosis (Liver) Cirrhosis of the liver refers to a disease in which normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue caused by alcohol and viral...learn more »In This ArticleCirrhosis (Liver) Article- What is cirrhosis?
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Congestive Heart Failure Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart's function as a pump is inadequate to meet the body's needs. A...learn more »In This ArticleCongestive Heart Failure Article- Congestive heart failure facts
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Eosinophilic Fasciitis Eosinophilic fasciitis is a skin disease that causes thickening and inflammation of the skin and fascia. Symptoms include...learn more »In This ArticleEosinophilic Fasciitis Article- What are eosinophils?
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Hematoma A hematoma is a collection of blood that is outside a blood vessel. There are different areas where hematomas occur including the...learn more »In This ArticleHematoma Article- What is a hematoma?
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Iliotibial Band Syndrome Iliotibial band syndrome is an overuse injury of the thigh and knee. Symptoms include knee pain and possible swelling. Treatment...learn more »In This ArticleIliotibial Band Syndrome Article- Iliotibial band syndrome facts
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Kidney Failure Kidney failure can occur from an acute event or a chronic condition or disease. Prerenal kidney failure is caused by blood loss,...learn more »In This ArticleKidney Failure Article- Kidney failure facts
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Phlebitis Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein. Thrombophlebitis is when a blood clot causes the inflammation. Phlebitis can be...learn more »In This ArticlePhlebitis Article- What is phlebitis and thrombophlebitis?
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Preeclampsia (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension) Preeclampsia is related to increased blood pressure and protein in the mother's urine. Preeclampsia typically begins after the...learn more »In This ArticlePreeclampsia (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension) Article- Preeclampsia Facts*
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Scleroderma Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in...learn more »In This ArticleScleroderma Article- Scleroderma facts
- What is scleroderma?
- What causes scleroderma?
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