Leg Swelling (Leg Edema): Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of leg swelling (“leg edema”). Travel history

  • Recording of travel duration and foreign travel, here primarily from tropical stays, furthermore, any infections that may have occurred.

Family history

  • Is there a history of heart disease in your family? Kidney disease? Liver disease? Lung diseases? Thyroid disease?

Social history

  • Do you have a job that requires you to stand or sit for long periods of time?
  • Have you taken a long-haul flight recently?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • When did the swelling first occur?
  • Is the leg swelling unilateral or bilateral?
  • Did the swelling occur suddenly or gradually?
  • When does the swelling occur?
    • Permanent?
    • After standing or sitting for a long time?
    • In the evening?
    • Cycle dependent?
  • Do you have a feeling of tightness in the swollen areas of your body?
  • Do you have any pain in your leg? *
  • Onset of pain (e.g., sudden strain on calf muscles → muscle fiber tear?)?
  • In addition, is the leg overheated? *
  • Do the symptoms such as pain and swelling change after lying down and at night? If so, in what way?
  • Do you have palpitations? *
  • Do you have cold sweats, are you pale, and do you have a drop in blood pressure? *
  • Do you experience shortness of breath on exertion or at rest? *
  • Do you have a fever? Chills?
  • Do you have a knee joint effusion?
  • Do you have any other complaints such as:
    • Bluish skin color?
    • Cold skin?
    • Cold and bluish discolored lips and fingers?
    • Areal redness of the skin?
    • Atrophic skin changes (loss of skin elasticity)?
    • Dry, itchy skin?
    • Decrease in performance?
    • Increased urination at night?
    • Cough at night?
    • Stomach discomfort?
    • Loss of appetite?

Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.

  • Are you overweight? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
  • Has your body weight changed unintentionally?
  • Do you get enough exercise every day?
  • Do you drink enough?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses of it per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?

Self-history

  • Pre-existing conditions (metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction), cardiovascular diseases (e.g., venous disease, deep vein thrombosis; peripheral arterial occlusive disease, hypertension/high blood pressure), renal disease, liver disease, lung disease, thyroid disease, tumor disease, eating disorders; accident).
  • Operations
  • Allergies
  • Pregnancies
  • Radiatio (radiotherapy)
  • Environmental history

Medication history

* Thrombosis/embolism due to medication.

* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)