Published on April 22, 2025

woman of woman's legs sitting in a chair.

Why Are My Legs Swelling?

Experiencing swelling in your legs can be worrisome. Joseph Rees, DO, with Avera Internal Medicine, outlined some ways to determine whether the swelling is a nuisance or something more serious and what should be done to address it.

Common Causes of Swollen Legs

Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by fluid buildup in tissue, and it has a variety of possible causes.

On the serious end, swollen legs are a common side effect of medical conditions such as congestive heart failure and heart-related problems, as well as kidney and liver disease and failure. Swelling can also be a complication of diabetes, which can increase a person’s risk of developing peripheral artery disease.

However, the cause behind swollen legs is often unrelated to these diseases.

Some of the most common reasons for swollen legs include:

Lymphedema
Venous insufficiency
Malnutrition
Varicose veins
Standing or sitting in the same position for too long

Lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes swelling and is often seen in people who have had lymph nodes removed for cancer treatment.

“The lymph system helps return the fluid that’s outside of the blood vessels back to the heart,” Rees said. “Sometimes, if you have problems with your lymph system, that can cause swelling.”

Venous insufficiency is a condition that occurs when the valves in the veins that cause blood to return to the heart stop working properly. This becomes more common with age.

“If those valves get scarred down or calcified, then sometimes the blood flows the wrong direction, causing swelling,” said Rees.

What Should I Do If I Experience Swelling?

It’s important for those with a known disease or a family history to see a provider as soon as they notice swelling.

“If you have known disease – heart, kidney or liver disease – and you start having swelling that’s new, I recommend that you consult a professional right away,” Rees said.

It’s also recommended to see a provider if the swelling is accompanied by new symptoms like chest pain or trouble breathing, especially during activity or when lying down.

Talk to Your Provider.

A yearly checkup is a great way to discuss ongoing issues or concerns and help determine your best plan of action.

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How to Reduce Swelling in Legs

For those who don’t have a known disease, a few at-home solutions can help address swelling.

Rees recommended the following:

Elevation
Compression
Walking

One of the easiest treatments to try according to Rees is leg elevation.

“You have to get your feet above your heart, so if you just sit in a recliner to put your feet up, that’s probably not high enough,” Rees said.

Rees recommended putting a pillow underneath the legs, making sure it sits mostly under the calf so that the heels are off the end of the pillow to avoid pressure and sores.

Compression stockings are another solution. The socks come in different pressures, and Rees recommended starting on the lower side to make sure there are no issues. Compression socks can be purchased over the counter at many running stores and medical equipment stores such as Avera Home Medical Equipment. Compression socks may be covered by insurance, depending on the diagnosis and pressure rating

How to Prevent Leg Swelling

Walking is extremely helpful in preventing swelling. Taking short walks during the day minimizes prolonged stretches of sitting or standing and helps prevent fluid from pooling in the legs.

“If you can get up and get moving, using your leg muscles, that will help bring that blood back to where it needs to be and hopefully get rid of a little extra fluid,” Rees said.

A few diet practices also help prevent swelling in the legs. Chief among foods to avoid are high-sodium options, as water and salt love each other, according to Rees.

“If I take in a bunch of salt, I’m not taking in extra water, but the water will stay inside. If I want to get water out of the body, I’d get rid of salt,” Rees said.

Rees noted that salt is in some surprising sources beyond obvious culprits like fast food.

“Some people think canned goods are healthy for you, but they can contain a lot of extra salt, so watch for that,” Rees said.

Get more tips to move more.