I'm not terribly overweight (160lbs 5'8"), but my shins hold an imprint when I push on them. And I mean hold for about ten to 45 minutes. Do everyone's legs do that? Why are mine?
2006-09-29 16:57:50 · 10 answers · asked by Beck 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
This is called adema. It is when the return flow of blood from a body part is inhibited. This condition is commonly manifested in the legs. Due to the force of gravity the legs are the most succeptable to having this problem.
However, holding pressure for ten minutes is too excessive to check for adema. If you can see an indentation after 10 seconds of pressure that lasts for several seconds then there is a good probability that you have adema.
This affliction is not as uncommon as you may think and there can be several different reasons for this including heredity. Long or frequent plane flights are a very common cause for adema.
This may not seem like a very big deal but it is actually extremely dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Because the blood collects in the legs it begins to clot. However, you still have blood flow returning from the legs. The veins in the legs return to the heart passing through the lungs along the way. There is an extreme reduction in the diameter of the vein as it approaches the lung. Because the blood is clotting in the veins there is a possibility of a piece of the clot breaking free which then lodges in the lung and can cause death in minutes.
I had this affliction a couple years ago. They did a sonogram on my leg and when they detrmined that there was a clot they wouldn't even let me walk. They put me in a wheel chair and I was hospitalized for a week. The thing about adema is that the sooner you treat it the easier and faster it is resolved.
Get this checked as soon as you can. In the mean time elevate your legs when sleeping. When sitting use a foot stool or equivalent to help keep your legs elevate to a horizontal positon. Also, wear compression stockings which are available at most drugstores. The stockings are helpful in preventing blood from collecting in the legs. They are pretty much standard issue for airline pilots due to thier succeptability to this condition. If you can get into a doctor quickly they will prescribe this for you. I don't mean to scare you but, bottom line is if you are unsure get it checked because it is deadly. Acting fast is the key.
2006-09-29 17:46:12 · answer #1 · answered by JDOGG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should go to a doctor to see if you have circulation problems...or a disesase called Lymphatic Fliarasis(Sp) You can get that kind of disease if you have recently been to a foreign country..such as Africa or Malaysia.
My legs certainly don't do that, and I'm significantly heavier than you.
Best Regards.
2006-09-29 17:01:42 · answer #2 · answered by Rebecca 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep,
I have that. Pitting edema.
I HATE it.
My mom who was thin had it too.
She use to wear TED HOSE 24/7.
My MD put me on Hydroclorothiozide.
It didn't help very much.
Ask for Lasix (Water Pill) and K+.
Watch your lables and to try to stay away from salt.
Put your feet up at night.
good luck!
2006-09-29 17:09:28 · answer #3 · answered by DRNoraSarasin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you've got a lot of fluid in your legs. There may be many causes - bad veins, kidney or heart problems, thyroid problems. You should speak to your doctor about this.
2006-09-29 17:01:05 · answer #4 · answered by sveta_dr_mom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have some swelling - it can be from a variety of causes. I have heart failure and take lasix when I start getting fluids backing up in me. Makes you pee all the time, but gets the swelling down pretty quick
2006-09-29 17:06:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to www.webmd.com Look under swollen legs because it can be normal for people who stand a lot. Look for other warning signs along with swollen legs..Learn to elevate your legs above your heart from time to time...
2006-09-29 17:14:03 · answer #6 · answered by Smurfette 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that's not normal. It's called pitting edema and you need to contact your physician about it. Edema is a symptom of a million different disorders varying from mmild (water retention) to severe (congestive heart failure). Good luck to you.
2006-09-29 17:00:42 · answer #7 · answered by Irish Red 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You could have a blood pressure problem which could eventually lead to diabeties.
See a doctor as soon as possible.
2006-09-29 17:01:18 · answer #8 · answered by froggy010101 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yikes, consult your doctor. They always check this when going for physicals. I believe it means bad circulation but not sure if it may mean diabetes...it's gotta mean something since they always check for this.
2006-09-29 16:59:18 · answer #9 · answered by ♥ ms. @ ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Irish Red" is right. Its pitting Edema and you need to see a doctor. ASAP
2006-09-29 17:12:06 · answer #10 · answered by Rockford 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋