4 Causes of Swollen Feet and What You Can Do to Treat It

Various underlying health problems and conditions can cause swollen feet and ankles, and it’s often seen in older individuals. The swelling may occur in one or both feet and may also affect other lower areas of the body, such as the ankles and legs. Generally, swelling in the foot, ankle, or leg is not a health risk on its own. However, it may be caused by another health condition. This is why you should always consult a medical professional if you experience swelling in your feet with no apparent cause or experience any other symptoms.

Common Causes of Swollen Feet

The most common cause of swelling in the feet is water retention. Fluid retention occurs when there is a decrease in blood circulation – this can be caused by hormonal changes, blood clots, injuries and infections, medications, heart conditions, cirrhosis, or edema. Let’s take a look at the less severe causes of swollen feet and what you can do at home to relieve them.

Edema

Edema is caused by excess fluid becoming trapped in your tissues. It causes swelling of the skin on your feet, ankles, and legs, but it can also affect your arms and hands. Edema is a common condition and usually will resolve on its own.

To treat edema, you can try a pair of adjustable swollen feet loafers or compression stockings to relieve some of the pressure on your feet. Other things you can try are reducing the amount of salt in your diet, lying down with your legs raised higher than your heart, or lymphatic drainage massage.

Pregnancy

Because your body retains more fluid during pregnancy, many women experience swollen feet. The swelling is usually more pronounced after the fifth month of pregnancy and is particularly uncomfortable in the evening.

You can try wearing more comfortable shoes during the day and applying a cold compress on your feet. Try to avoid tight clothes and overheating as these will exacerbate the swelling.

Medication

Some blood pressure and diabetic medications, steroids, birth control pills, and antidepressants can cause swelling in the feet and ankles because they cause fluid retention. Speak to your doctor to find out if your medication could be causing your swelling, and discuss adjusting your dosage.

Injury

When you injure your foot or ankle – whether it’s a sprain, strain, or break – blood will rush to the affected area, which causes painful inflammation and swelling. For injuries, the “R.I.C.E.” method is recommended. This means resting, icing, compressing, and elevating the injured area to reduce pain and swelling.

When to See a Doctor

If you have accompanying symptoms in addition to your feet and ankles swelling, it’s essential to see your doctor right away.

Symptoms like stretched or broken skin on your feet or ankles, prolonged pain and swelling, chest pain, shortness of breath, blisters or ulcerations, or swelling only on one side of your body can indicate that there’s a serious underlying condition that’s causing your feet to swell. Your doctor will be able to run tests to determine the cause and best mode of care.