A person may experience swollen feet for several reasons, from hot weather or pregnancy to serious health conditions such as heart disease or a blood clot. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
It is important to contact a doctor if a person regularly or persistently experiences swollen feet. They should also contact a doctor if swelling occurs alongside other symptoms such as breathing difficulties.
Read on to learn about why a person’s feet may appear swollen, treatment options, and when to contact a doctor.
Edema is the medical term for swelling that occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the body’s tissues. It usually affects the legs, feet, and ankles, but can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the face or hands.
Other signs of edema include:
- shiny, stretched skin over the affected area
- skin that stays dimpled after pressing it
- discomfort and reduced mobility
- coughing or difficulty breathing if it affects the lungs
Treatment
Edema may go away by itself, or there may be an underlying cause that needs medical treatment.
Home remedies include:
- wearing support stockings
- reducing salt intake
- lying down while raising the legs above the chest
If the swelling does not improve, a person should talk with their doctor to check for any underlying causes.
Trauma to the foot or ankle can cause swelling in this area of the body.
For example, a sprained ankle, which occurs when the ligaments become overstretched, could cause the foot to swell.
Treatment
To treat a foot or ankle injury, a person should elevate the foot when possible and avoid bearing weight on the affected leg.
Using an ice pack or compression bandage can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease discomfort.
If the swelling and pain do not go away, a person might need to visit their doctor to rule out more severe damage.
A common symptom of late pregnancy is swelling of the feet and ankles.
This swelling is due to fluid retention and increased pressure on the veins.
Home remedies
To treat swollen feet during pregnancy, a person can:
- elevate their feet where possible
- wear comfortable and supportive footwear
- avoid standing for extended periods
Staying cool, avoiding salt, and increasing water intake may help reduce fluid retention.
Wearing supportive clothing, such as tights or compression stockings, can also reduce discomfort and help the swelling decrease.
If swelling during pregnancy comes on suddenly and is severe, it could be a sign of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a condition that can occur during pregnancy or immediately after the birth.
This is a medical emergency that usually occurs in the latter half of pregnancy and can progress to eclampsia, which is even more dangerous and constitutes a medical emergency.
Preeclampsia can cause:
- protein in the urine
- rapid excessive fluid retention
- high blood pressure
- severe swelling
- headaches
- dizziness
- nausea and vomiting
- vision changes
- less frequent urination
- high blood pressure
- seizures
Treatment
If a pregnant person experiences symptoms of preeclampsia, they should seek medical attention straight away.
Some lifestyle factors can lead to swollen feet. These include:
- standing or sitting in the same position for long periods of time
- overweight
- consuming a diet high in salt
Home remedies
Getting enough regular physical activity or exercise and maintaining a moderate weight can reduce the risk of swollen feet.
Being mindful of salt intake can also help. Speak with a doctor for information about how much salt to consume per day.
Taking certain medications can result in the feet swelling, especially if they cause water retention.
Medications that may cause the feet to swell include:
- hormones medications
- contraceptive pills
- antidepressants
- blood pressure medication
- steroids
Anyone who thinks that their medication is causing their feet to swell should speak with a doctor. They may recommend altering the dosage or prescribing a different type of medication.
Alcohol can cause the body to retain excess water, causing the feet, ankles, or legs to swell. It can. be a sign of advanced alcohol-related liver disease.
If the swelling continues for more than a few days, a person should make an appointment with their doctor.
Treatment
Stopping drinking alcohol is a main treatment for alcohol-related liver disease. Some medications may help with managing symptoms.
Other treatments, such as liver transplant, may be necessary depending on the severity of the condition.
During hot weather,
This process can cause fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. Fluid can also collect in the ankles and feet.
Home remedies
Drinking plenty of water and wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes that allow some ventilation can help prevent the feet from swelling in warm weather. Compression stockings may also help.
An infection can cause swelling in the feet and ankles.
People with diabetes have an increased risk of infection affecting their feet, so they should remain vigilant for any changes to this part of the body, such as blisters and sores appearing.
Treatment
A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics to treat infections. It can also be a serious condition that requires emergency treatment to prevent more serious infection of the blood.
Venous insufficiency occurs when venous blood does not return to the heart and pools in the legs.
This is due to damaged valves causing blood to leak down the vessels. This can cause fluid retention in the lower legs,
Signs of venous insufficiency include:
- achy legs
- skin changes
- new varicose veins appearing
- skin ulcers
- infection
Treatment
A person experiencing any signs of venous insufficiency should make an appointment with their doctor as soon as possible.
To treat venous insufficiency, a doctor may recommend making some lifestyle changes, such as taking up exercise to help keep the blood pumping around the body efficiently. Compression stockings and medication to prevent blood clots can also help.
In some cases, a doctor may suggest surgery to try to repair the damaged valves.
Blood clots occur when the blood fails to flow around the body correctly, causing platelets to stick together.
If blood clots develop in the leg veins, they may prevent the blood from moving back to the heart. This can cause the ankles and feet to swell.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form deep in the legs. DVT is a serious condition that can cause a blockage in the major leg veins. In some cases, the clots may break loose and move to the heart or lungs.
Signs of DVT include:
- swelling in one leg, rarely both legs
- pain or discomfort in the leg
- low grade fever
- color changes in the leg
Treatment
If a person notices any signs of DVT, they should seek urgent medical attention. A doctor may prescribe blood thinning medication to treat blood clots.
People can help prevent blood clots by wearing tights, compression stockings, or clothing that is loose fitting around the ankles.
Other prevention methods include keeping active and reducing salt intake. It is also best to avoid standing or sitting still, especially with crossed legs, for extended periods.
The lymphatic system helps the body get rid of unwanted substances, such as bacteria and toxins. Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid gathers in the tissues as a result of problems with the lymph vessels.
If the lymph vessels are damaged or absent, lymphatic fluid can build up and lead to infection and slow wound healing.
People who undergo radiation therapy or lymph node removal have a
As well as swelling of the feet, signs of lymphedema include:
- recurrent infections
- impaired motion
- aching
- a feeling of tightness or heaviness
- thickening of the skin
Treatment
Treatment options for lymphedema include exercises and targeted massage, which can help drain the excess fluid.
Wearing bandages or compression garments may also be beneficial.
Swelling of the feet could be a sign of heart disease or heart failure. If the heart is damaged, it cannot pump blood to the heart efficiently.
Right sided heart failure can cause the body to retain salt and water, resulting in swollen feet.
As well as swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, symptoms of heart failure
- shortness of breath
- rapid heartbeat
- weakness
- fatigue
- coughing or wheezing
- white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
- abdominal swelling
- rapid weight gain from fluid retention
- loss of appetite
- nausea or vomiting
- difficulty concentrating or confusion
Treatment
If a person experiences any of the above symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment options for heart failure
People with poorly functioning kidneys may be unable to flush out fluid, which can build up in the body.
Kidney disease may not present any symptoms until it is severe and the kidneys are beginning to fail.
Signs and symptoms of kidney failure
- less frequent urination
- shortness of breath
- drowsiness or fatigue
- pain or pressure in the chest
- seizures
- nausea
- confusion
- coma
Treatment
Liver disease can inhibit the production of albumin. Albumin is a protein that helps stop the blood leaking from blood vessels.
Low albumin means that the blood may leak, causing fluid to pool in the legs and feet, which can result in swelling.
Symptoms of liver disease include:
- jaundice, in which the skin and eyes turn yellow
- dark urine
- bruising easily
- loss of appetite
- skin itching
- lack of energy
- nausea or vomiting
- tender, swollen abdomen
- pale, bloody, or tar-colored stools
Treatment
To treat liver disease, a doctor may prescribe medication. In more severe cases of liver disease, surgery may be necessary.
If swelling does not go away or if it occurs repeatedly, it is best to make an appointment with a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
If swollen feet occur alongside shortness of breath, chest pain, or pressure in the chest, seek immediate medical help.
Swollen feet might be a sign of a serious condition that requires immediate treatment if it occurs alongside shortness of breath or chest pain or pressure. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these symptoms occur with foot swelling.
A person should also contact a doctor if they frequently experience swelling in their feet, as it may be due to an underlying medical condition.
Dehydration does not cause swollen feet. However, hydrating more than necessary, or more than the body can cope with, may result in swelling.
A person may also experience dehydration and swollen feet at the same time as a result of conditions such as venous insufficiency and heart failure, but dehydration does not directly cause feet to swell.
Possible causes of swelling in the feet include edema, pregnancy, preeclampsia, lymphedema, liver disease, heart disease, kidney failure, infections, and blood clots.
Swelling can also occur due to injury, medication side effects, alcohol intake, and hot weather.
Some home remedies may help manage foot swelling. It is important to contact a doctor if the swelling does not go away or if it keeps coming back. Seek immediate medical help if foot swelling is accompanied by shortness of breath and chest pain.
