117 – Leg Swelling in Aging: What to Know & Do

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In This Episode:

Guest host Dr. Nicole Didyk explains what older adults and families should know about leg edema (swollen legs), a common condition that affects aging adults. Dr. Didyk is a geriatrician in Canada, and the founder of the blog and YouTube channel The Wrinkle.

She discusses:

• Why is it common for the lower legs to swell?
• What are the most common medical causes of leg edema and what are some serious causes that should not be missed?
• Which common medications can make leg swelling worse?
• When should you seek immediate medical attention for swollen legs?
• How can chronically swollen legs be treated?
• What to know about using diuretics (water pills) for swollen legs

Related episodes:

092- Interview: Addressing Nighttime Urination & Insomnia in Aging

040 – Dehydration in Older Adults: How to Prevent It, Detect It, & Treat It

113 – Interview: Urinary Incontinence in Aging

Related Resources:

• Leg Swelling in Aging: What to Know and What to Do
• What Is Edema? – Causes and Treatment | familydoctor.org
• Treatment of Edema – American Family Physician (aafp.org)
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency | Society for Vascular Surgery
• What is Chronic Venous Disease? | American Venous Forum (veinforum.org)
• VIDEO: EDEMA – What causes swollen legs