Call 911 or emergency medical assistance

Seek help if you have leg swelling and any of the following signs. They may be a sign of a blood clot in your lungs or a serious heart condition:

• Chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Shortness of breath with activity or lying flat in bed.
• Fainting or dizziness.
• Coughing blood.

Seek immediate medical attention

Get care right away if your leg swelling:

• Happens suddenly and for no clear reason.
• Is related to a physical injury. This includes a fall, sports injury or car accident.
• Happens in one leg. The swelling may be painful, or your skin may feel cool and look pale.

Schedule a doctor's visit

Some problems related to leg swelling may not be an emergency. But they still need medical attention. Leg swelling that is the side effect of a medicine can look just like leg swelling caused by a kidney disorder. Make an appointment as soon as possible so that your health care professional can diagnose the cause.

Before your appointment, consider the following tips:

• Limit the amount of salt in your diet.
• Put a pillow under your legs when lying down. This may reduce swelling related to the buildup of fluid.
• Wear elastic compression stockings. Avoid stockings that are tight around the top. If you can see the imprint of the elastic on your skin, the stockings may be too tight.
• If you need to stand or sit for long periods, give yourself frequent breaks. Move around, unless the movement causes pain.
• Don't stop taking a prescription medicine without talking to your healthcare professional, even if you suspect it may be causing leg swelling.
• Over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) might ease pain from the swelling.