- DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS is a condition where the veins undergoes a stress disorder due to a clot. Normally, the veins transport the blood from the legs and arms back to the heart. The valves in the veins enable the blood to flow in the right direction, against gravity and prevent pooling in the veins of the legs and arms. However, when there is a clot in the deep veins of legs and arms, the blood outflow from the extremities to the heart will be obstructed, resulting in swelling/edema and cramping pain at the affected area. Usually the symptoms gets worse with predictable amount of exercise, walking for short distance, but improves with rest. In unfortunate cases, these clots also known as thrombosis breaks loose and travels in the bloodstream, causing blockage of blood vessels, highly possible towards the lungs. This results to pulmonary embolism, where one might suffer from severe difficulty breathing or even death.
Some medications can be the trigger for leg swelling to happen. Oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy that includes estrogen can trigger fluid retention, as well as hormones found in pregnancy that encourage the body to hold excessive fluid. Other medication for example, antidepressant, corticosteroids or high blood pressure medication may cause fluid retention too.
“Does running make leg swelling worst?”
Being immobile and inactive for long periods can be a contributing factor at the start. That sudden overuse of muscles unaccustomed to exercise causes abnormal fluid build-up. When we run, blood flow to the heart and lungs increases. Blood vessels in the legs and hands expand and rush the oxygen to the active muscles, fighting gravity hence causing exercise-induced edema. Factors that increases your risk of fluid retention includes age, overweight and being out of condition.
Running has yet to be proven to make leg swelling worst. However, many marathon runners, triathlon and ultramarathon runners tend to get hyponatremia. A condition when one suffers from sudden abnormally low sodium levels in the blood, commonly happens along with edema. It happens as when one sweats a lot during their runs and increase amount of fluid intake in a short period of time diluting sodium in the body. Sodium plays a role as an electrolyte in charge with regulating the amount of water that is in and around your cells. As your sodium level drops, water retention happens in your cells, contributing to edema. For mild cases, symptoms of exercise-induced edema are usually alleviated by resting after workout. If hyponatremia follows by nausea, weakness or change in mental state, immediate medical attention must be sought.
Exercise substitution can be considered if you would like to have alternative from your running routines when you are suffering from peripheral edema. Exercises, such as swimming and yoga, will not make the swelling worse but before effective treatment can begin, the underlying cause must be found. The edema usually clears up when the underlying condition causing fluid imbalance is diagnosed and treated.
