Are Your Feet Swelling? Get Help at FootSmart
At the end of a long day, do your shoes feel tight? Do you notice your feet swelling more and more as the day goes on? Read some frequently asked questions to find out more about why your feet are swelling and how to find relief.
*Thanks to The Podiatry Institute for answering these questions on why your feet are swelling.
Q: What is the Medical Term for Feet Swelling?
A: Your doctor may refer to feet swelling as edema, the term used to describe an abundance of fluid found between tissue cells. Edema typically causes lower leg, ankle and feet swelling, but can affect any area of the body.
Q: What Causes Feet Swelling and Edema?
A: If you notice your feet swelling up, a number of factors could be to blame, including:
- If your feet are swelling, you could have a serious kidney, heart, liver or blood vessel condition. See your doctor.
- If you’re suffering from feet swelling, you may be eating a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates. Sodium retention is a major cause of feet swelling and edema in other parts of the body.
- If your feet are swelling, it could be because you are abusing drugs, laxatives or diuretics.
- If you’re suffering from feet swelling, your symptoms may be due to the fact that you are taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills.
- If your feet are swelling, you could be pregnant or have PMS.
- If you’re suffering from feet swelling, you could be having an allergic reaction to something, and should see your doctor.
- If your feet are swelling, you could have a neuromuscular disorder and should see your physician immediately.
- If you’re suffering from feet swelling, you may have some trauma to the area and should see a doctor.
Q: How Can I Tell If My Feet Are Swelling?
A: If you have feet swelling or edema, your will first notice that your feet are swelling up more and more as the day goes on. But after a period of time, the feet swelling will begin first thing in the morning and just continue to worsen throughout the day.
Here are some other indicators that you may be suffering from feet swelling due to edema:
- Varicose veins and a history of phlebitis (inflammation of a vein’s wall) are indicators that you could be suffering from edema causing leg and feet swelling.
- Long-term feet swelling or edema in other areas of the body can cause a condition called pitting. When you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area.
- Skin ulcerations (sores) may develop if you have continued feet swelling or swelling in other parts of the body.
Q: Are There Any Other Symptoms That Go Along With Feet Swelling Due to Edema?
A: Over time, edema will not only cause feet swelling and swelling in other parts of the body, but the following symptoms as well:
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, you’re at risk for high blood pressure.
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, you may have headaches.
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, you may notice an increase in urination frequency.
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, you’re at risk for palpitations (a fast or irregular heartbeat).
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, your hands and/or wrists may also swell.
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, your eyes may seem puffy.
- If your feet are swelling and you have edema, you may gain some weight.
Q: How Can I Relieve My Feet Swelling and Edema?
A: The best way to reduce leg and feet swelling is to elevate your legs above the level of the heart, which puts minimal pressure on thighs, lower back and backs of the knees. You can sit in a reclining chair in front of the TV to elevate your legs to keep your feet from swelling.
Many products, for use at home or at work, can also help keep your feet from swelling up. Here are some other aids used to help ease leg and feet swelling:
The Podiatry Institute recommends the following techniques to help decrease feet swelling and other symptoms of edema:
- To reduce feet swelling: Increase muscle activity with walking.
- To reduce feet swelling: Avoid standing in place for long period of time.
- To reduce feet swelling: Avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
- To reduce feet swelling: Limit salt intake.
- To reduce feet swelling: Do not abuse diuretics.
- To reduce feet swelling: Do not abuse laxatives.
- To reduce feet swelling: Drink plenty of water.
- To reduce feet swelling: Avoid contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy, if possible.
- To reduce feet swelling: Use a compression pump to help fluid return to the blood vessels.
Q: Should I See My Doctor If I Notice My Feet Swelling?
A: If feet swelling or other swelling continues to worsen or won’t go away, yes, please visit your doctor.
Information on foot, leg and lower body health conditions like feet swelling provided by The Podiatry Institute, dedicated to advancing the standard of care in podiatric medicine and its effects on muscoskeletal health.