How is diabetes related to swelling of the lower leg?
442123
There are a number of conditions which may cause this aside from diabetes- Swelling and inflammation of the blood vessels, either surface (phlebitis) or deep (deep vein thrombosis) can cause swelling.  Hormonal changes may cause water retention which can collect in the legs, low blood pressure can cause blood pooling, and high blood pressure can cause edema.  Diabetes tends to exacerbate each of these conditions-in addition, it can cause nephritis, resulting in water retention, and it is associated with many vascular problems.  It isn't likely to be due to neuropathy because you have no pain or numbness in the limb.
15974
From: http://www.foot.com/info/cond_diabetic_foot.jsp\n\nRub a thin coat of skin lotion or cream on the tops and bottoms of the feet. Do not put lotion between your toes, because this might cause infection.\n\nDiabetes does bad things to people.
373464
I'm with the other guys on this one, but not taking care of diabetes can also lead to losing limbs. I know people who have lost legs because they haven't looked after their diabetes properly
505062
It sounds like lymphedema, swelling of a limb often experienced as a side-effect of removal of the lymph nodes, as in cancer surgery. Perhaps the lymph nodes are blocked for some reason.\n\nI'm not a physician or medical student, just know a little about lymphedema from a friend who has it.
673307
Edema is due to accumulation of fliud in the body, it can be in the brain region, lower body part such as ankle swelling. Edema is the sign of heart failure, this is because the heart functions as a pump, if it does not pump properly, blood failed to return to the blood circulation and hence the upper part of body. As a feedback mechanism or compensation, reduced blood return to heart and kidney trigger a subtance called angiotensin which exacerbates the current situation and causes high blood pressure due to vasoconstriction of blood vessel. This is a vicious cycle if not corrected with medications
46542
What is Diabetic Neuropathy?\nDiabetic neuropathy is a peripheral nerve disorder caused by diabetes. The symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are often slight at first. In fact, some mild cases may go unnoticed for a long time. Numbness, pain, or tingling in the feet, or legs may, after several years, lead to weakness in the muscles of the feet. Occasionally, diabetic neuropathy can flare up suddenly and affect specific nerves so that an affected individual will develop double vision or drooping eyelids, or weakness and atrophy of the thigh muscles. Nerve damage caused by diabetes generally occurs over a period of years and may lead to problems with the digestive tract and sexual organs, which can cause indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, bladder infections, and impotence. The loss of sensation in the feet may increase the possibility for foot injuries to go unnoticed and develop into ulcers or lesions that become infected.
98467
I would guess some kind of food allergy before diabetes.  I am not aware of hyperglycemia causing the symptoms you described.  Having to drink fluid and pee frequently is a sign of diabetes, among others.  If DM is a concern, a fasting blood glucose level could be taken in a clinic.
471100
Edema is an observable swelling from fluid accumulation in certain body tissues. Edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs, where it also is referred to as peripheral edema. The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues that are outside of the blood vessels. These spaces are known as interstitial spaces or compartments. Most of the body's fluids that are found outside of the cells are normally stored in two spaces; the blood vessels (where the fluids are called the blood volume) and the interstitial spaces (where the fluids are called the interstitial fluid). In various diseases, excess fluid can accumulate in either one or both of these compartments. \n\n\nPitting edema can be demonstrated by applying pressure to, for example, the skin of a swollen leg, by depressing the skin with a finger. If the pressing causes an indentation in the skin that persists for some time after the release of the pressure, the edema is referred to as pitting edema. Actually, any form of pressure, such as from the elastic part of socks, can induce the pitting of this edema.
737223
Perhaps u mean after prolonged sitting or standing your feet become swollen. are u taking any medicine, any heart, kidney or liver problem?  if not restrict salt intake, avoid long sitting and standing.
546309
Do you eat/drink a lot of salty things? Sodium can cause swelling in the legs and feet/ankles, so maybe cutting down on your sodium intake could help you out...you can alleviate swollen ankles/feet relatively quickly by elevating your legs to a higher point than your heart...hope this helps!
957495
pedal edema is usually secondary to fluid overload, or poor blood circulation in the leg. Elevate your ankles and really limit your sodium, also make sure your shoes aren't too tight.
184270
Twenty percent of people treated with Avandia or Actos notice higher numbers on the scale. The problem is usually fluid retention, not increased fat deposits. However, be aware that a rapid weight gain, especially if accompanied by ankle swelling, is a warning sign of something more serious than simple water retention. These drugs have been associated with heart failure or worsening of existing heart failure. If you have any symptoms, let your doctor know right away.
626775
It could be a compression bruise, like landing too hard on that leg and pushing the bones together and squashing the soft tissue. Probably the best thing would be to apply moist heat to it 2-3 times a day. Keep it elevated as much as possible to avoid fluid build up. Also a hot patch like the ones made by IcyHot or Bengay might help reduce the swelling in the knee. Damage to any joint can cause fluid build up. That is what causes swelling. Swelling can occur as an obvious bulging or it can be within the soft tissue in the joint ans not be noticeable to the eye.Keep your leg rested as much as possible but you will need to use it some each day to keep it from stiffening up. Good luck!\n\nSincerely,\nTerry
168714
ok..in english diabetes is the inability of cells to use sugar in the blood due to either a lack of insulin (produced by the pancreas) or the inability for a cell to transport sugar across the cell. because your cells cannot use the sugar it stays in limbo between the cells (high blood sugar)until it is filtered out through the kidneys (this causes alot of pressure and can destroy them). the high blood sugar also puts alot of pressure on the eyes that can cause blindness. another effect if left untreated is pariphial neuropathy..a big word for loss of circulation and feeling in the lower extremities (legs) this can lead to sores that cannot heal (because the cells cannot use the sugar for energy) these are things that do not happen all at once but over time. If you do not keep your sugar under control these things WILL happen...PLEASE take this disease seriously...many times the treatment is diet and exercise depending on how much insulin your pancreas does produce..if this does not work you will need to take medicine every day for the rest of your life (which is much better than the consiquences of not treating it ....amputation, blindness, kidney failure, stroke, heart attack, ect...this list continues to grow.
818558
In addition to what has already been posted, sometimes allergies to foods or environmental agents can cause swelling.   Another cause could be blood pooling in the extremities (usually as a result of clasping your fists too tightly during exercise).  Elevate and/or cool the swollen area and if it doesn't return to normal within a few minutes, call your doctor.
230837
me thinks lots wrong but first is poor circulation. go to hospital. Is there anything that may have caused this for starters? Like diabetes, smoking, excessively tight shoes, injury. Is it swollen? spiderbite? check footwear and bed linen, etc. But SEE A DOCTOR NOW
618053
foot swelling is usually indicative of possible renal disease beginning.  How long have you been diabetic?  Don't cross your legs.  Elevate your feet as much as possible.  Lose weight if you can.  Avoiod high salt foods.  Ask your dr. to prescribe diuretics-furosemide, not over the counter....they are quite cheap and generic.  Take them with potassium.  Wear support socks, avoid tight shoes.  See a nephrologist and do a 24-hr urine collection.  Some blood pressure meds cause swelling.