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What Causes Swelling In The Right Foot?
Question: Yes, I have had liver problems in the past, but for the last 3 years have had no problems. Just recently my right foot seems to be swelling, can you give me any help?
Brief Answer:
Unilateral edema is usually not due to liver.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concern.
Unilateral (involving only one leg) leg edema is generally due to a local cause such as deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency, or lymphedema while Bilateral edema (involving both the legs) can be due to a local cause or systemic disease, such as heart failure liver or kidney disease.
Please answer the following questions firstly-
What is the duration of the edema (acute [<72 hours] vs. chronic)? If the onset is acute, deep vein thrombosis should be strongly considered.
Is the edema painful? Deep vein thrombosis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are usually painful. Chronic venous insufficiency can cause low-grade aching. Lymphedema is usually painless.
What drugs if any are being taken by you?
Calcium channel blockers, prednisone, and anti-inflammatory drugs are common causes of leg edema.
Does the edema improve overnight? Venous edema is more likely than lymphedema to improve overnight.
Is there a history consistent with sleep apnea? Sleep apnea can cause pulmonary hypertension, which is a common cause of leg edema.However usually bilateral
Intial investigation suggested are-
Color doppler of legs- To rule out possibility of Deep vein thrombosis.It is a preliminary and most important investigation and should be done as early as possible.
Kindly attach comparative photo of both the legswith follow up.
Hope i answered your query well.
Thanks.
Unilateral edema is usually not due to liver.
Detailed Answer:
Hello Dear,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query.
Have seen your details and i appreciate your concern.
Unilateral (involving only one leg) leg edema is generally due to a local cause such as deep vein thrombosis, venous insufficiency, or lymphedema while Bilateral edema (involving both the legs) can be due to a local cause or systemic disease, such as heart failure liver or kidney disease.
Please answer the following questions firstly-
What is the duration of the edema (acute [<72 hours] vs. chronic)? If the onset is acute, deep vein thrombosis should be strongly considered.
Is the edema painful? Deep vein thrombosis and reflex sympathetic dystrophy are usually painful. Chronic venous insufficiency can cause low-grade aching. Lymphedema is usually painless.
What drugs if any are being taken by you?
Calcium channel blockers, prednisone, and anti-inflammatory drugs are common causes of leg edema.
Does the edema improve overnight? Venous edema is more likely than lymphedema to improve overnight.
Is there a history consistent with sleep apnea? Sleep apnea can cause pulmonary hypertension, which is a common cause of leg edema.However usually bilateral
Intial investigation suggested are-
Color doppler of legs- To rule out possibility of Deep vein thrombosis.It is a preliminary and most important investigation and should be done as early as possible.
Kindly attach comparative photo of both the legswith follow up.
Hope i answered your query well.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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