Swollen legs by evening after a long workday don't always signal vascular problems — sometimes the cause lies in other disorders in the body. Astana vascular surgeon Farkhad Adylkhanov shared this in his social media, according to infohub.kz.

According to the doctor, if your legs swell regularly, it's important not just to try to relieve the swelling but to find out why it occurs.

"Leg swelling is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The cause may be in the veins, heart, kidneys, endocrine system, and so on," the specialist said.

Cardiac edema. In heart disorders, swelling usually appears on both legs. It may be accompanied by shortness of breath, for example when climbing stairs.

Renal edema. In kidney diseases, swelling is often more pronounced in the morning. It may appear not only on the legs but also on the face and eyelids. Another possible sign the doctor cites is changes in urination.

Endocrine edema. One possible variant is swelling in hypothyroidism, that is, reduced thyroid function. Such swelling is often firm and doesn't pit easily when pressed. It may be combined with other signs of hypothyroidism: cold intolerance, dry skin, weakness, weight gain, and facial puffiness.

Venous edema. In vein problems, swelling usually worsens by evening, especially after prolonged standing or sitting. After a night's rest or elevating the legs, it typically decreases.

"Venous edema is often combined with venous signs: varicose veins, heaviness in the legs," the vascular surgeon noted in the post.

Venous edema can be chronic, for example associated with varicose disease, or acute — caused by a blood clot blocking a vein. In thrombosis, swelling more often appears on one side.

Thus, to suggest the cause of swelling, one should consider the time of its appearance, its severity, the presence of other symptoms, and how the condition changes after rest.

If swelling recurs regularly, you should consult a vascular surgeon and undergo an ultrasound of the veins.

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