Swelling of the legs is the direct result of accumulation of fluid in the tissues in this part of the body. The condition is known as edema (earlier known as dropsy), and can affect other parts of the body as well, although it affects the legs most often. The causes of this accumulation of fluid are many, and although standing for long periods of time can cause fluid to accumulate in the legs and feet, there is a chance that a more serious condition is causing this problem. It is therefore advisable that you pay a visit to your doctor for a check up, or at least mention this problem to your doctor on your next visit.
It is quite likely of course that yours is a simple case of being on your feet for too long. You should therefore avoid this if possible - change positions often, sit for a while, and if possible, even lie down for a few minutes. If you have a job that requires you to stand for several hours at a stretch, you should ensure that you take a break at least once every hour. Each time you take a break, you should sit down and elevate your legs for at least five minutes. This should help circulation and get rid of the swelling. You should also consider whether you need to change your footwear, as shoes that are too tight will restrict circulation and cause your legs to swell. It may also help to walk around a bit, especially if you tend to stand in one place for long periods of time. This will help pump fluid out of the legs.
If in spite of these measures you suffer from chronic swelling of the feet, there may be other underlying causes and you should consult your doctor. high blood pressure is one possible cause of edema. If you are already aware that you have hypertension, perhaps this is a sign that you need to do more to get it under control.
Edema could also be the result of damage to the kidneys or the liver. This can cause an increase in the amount of fluid in the body, and some of this fluid will tend to accumulate in the lower extremities. Severe heart failure can also cause edema, but this accumulation of fluid would be much more severe, and would almost certainly be accompanied by other symptoms, so this is not really something that you need to worry about.
answered by G M