What can cause swelling and numbness in the legs?

Q: I am feeling an uneasiness in my right leg below my knees. I feel its bit heavier when compared to be left leg. It started off some 3 months ago with my little toe being numb for almost 4 days. It got normal after that and it used to come and go sporadically, but for the last 2 weeks my leg below my knees is bit heavy (I feel like some weight is added to the muscles). Due to my job nature I hardly move out of my chair in a day. I don't regularly exercise as my job currently requires more travel and working at nights & my sleeping time is highly irregular because this. Is this problem because of fluid accumulation? Can regular exercising solve the problem? or do I have to take medication?

A:I notice that you tend to blame yourself for your symptoms. Though, there may be individual reasons for illnesses occurring in patients, I don't think you should blame yourself for everything.However, from your symptoms I feel you certainly require medical help. It is difficult for me to give a diagnosis based on your symptoms. You will have to be examined carefully and I need several clarifications before I can do that.Swelling in one leg can be because of clotting of blood in the veins. However, the combination of numbness is unusual with this. Numbness usually indicates a neurological problem. This could be a problem in the spine.There are several other conditions which can cause the same combination of symptoms. Do consult an orthopaedic surgeon before you choose to start anyexercise or medication.