- Status
KC2U2
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2010
- Messages
- 231
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 09/2010
- Country
- US
- State
- LA
- City
- Broussard
that's fluid settling in
Explained in this MDA/ALS newsletter
What Causes Leg Swelling?
Unfortunately, there’s no "up elevator" in the circulatory system. Blood returning from the feet to the heart has to be pushed and squeezed along like a packet of catsup.
Walking helps this process because muscle contractions compress the veins and force blood up against gravity. A series of one-way valves along the way keeps blood from draining back down.
When walking ceases, it’s harder to get blood back up from the feet. Constant sitting also constricts blood flow by putting pressure on the veins.
As blood pools, the veins expand and water seeps out into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling, or edema. When this happens repeatedly, veins become leaky and water seeps out more easily, causing faster swelling. Meanwhile, the valves bearing the weight of the pooled blood can fail, allowing blood to drain back down. Such valve damage is permanent, leading to more circulatory problems.
Explained in this MDA/ALS newsletter
What Causes Leg Swelling?
Unfortunately, there’s no "up elevator" in the circulatory system. Blood returning from the feet to the heart has to be pushed and squeezed along like a packet of catsup.
Walking helps this process because muscle contractions compress the veins and force blood up against gravity. A series of one-way valves along the way keeps blood from draining back down.
When walking ceases, it’s harder to get blood back up from the feet. Constant sitting also constricts blood flow by putting pressure on the veins.
As blood pools, the veins expand and water seeps out into the surrounding tissues, causing swelling, or edema. When this happens repeatedly, veins become leaky and water seeps out more easily, causing faster swelling. Meanwhile, the valves bearing the weight of the pooled blood can fail, allowing blood to drain back down. Such valve damage is permanent, leading to more circulatory problems.
notme
Extremely helpful member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2011
- Messages
- 2,605
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 08/2011
- Country
- US
- State
- Fl
- City
- Orlando
There are a lot of things that can cause swelling in the legs/feet/ankles. My comment is to be very careful assuming every new thing that develops is part of the diagnosed illness.
Swelling in the feet and ankles can have causes such as kidney issues and medication issues and circulation problems.
As the others said, clots are always a concern in anyone that is immobile or sits for long periods of time.
Swelling in the feet and ankles can have causes such as kidney issues and medication issues and circulation problems.
As the others said, clots are always a concern in anyone that is immobile or sits for long periods of time.
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