Swollen feet is a temporary condition that causes discomfort and discomfort to its owner. Which necessitates taking some measures in order to reduce swelling of the feet. But if the swelling continues or is accompanied by the appearance of other symptoms, this may be evidence of an underlying medical condition, which requires attention. So what are the causes of swollen feet What are the best methods of treatment?

swollen feet

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid retention within the body’s tissues. It usually affects the feet and arms, but it may affect other parts of the body such as the face or abdomen.

Although the body works to keep the amount of water and total electrolytes in the blood constant. However, some medical conditions can cause fluid to collect in the tissues, which leads to swelling and swelling of the foot, ankle, or any other area of ​​the body.

Symptoms of edema

Symptoms differ from one person to another according to the severity of the infection and the areas of edema in the body, but the most prominent symptoms are:

• An increase in the size of the abdomen
• Tight, shiny skin over the affected area
• Swelling and swelling of the tissues just under the skin, such as swelling of the feet and ankles
• The skin retains the effect of a fingertip after pressing it for a few seconds

In cases of the following symptoms, a doctor should be consulted immediately:

• pain in chest
• hard breathing

These symptoms may be signs of pulmonary edema.

Edema treatment

Edema may disappear on its own, or some home remedies may help treat edema, such as reducing salt intake, lying down with legs elevated above the chest, and wearing soft socks. In the event that the swelling of the feet does not improve, you need to consult a doctor to find out the underlying cause.

Causes of swollen feet

Swelling of the feet may be the result of exposure to a minor injury, but some causes of swollen feet may be due to an underlying medical condition. Among the most important causes of swollen feet:

1. Varicose veins

Venous insufficiency, or varicose veins, occurs as a result of blood not flowing through the veins properly, which leads to fluid retention, especially in the feet and ankles. Signs of venous insufficiency are:

• skin sores
• Skin changes such as peeling
• The emergence of new varicose veins

Methods of Treatment: Doing sports activities to stimulate the process of pumping blood throughout the body, and the doctor can also prescribe medications to prevent blood clots. In some cases, the doctor may recommend surgical intervention to repair damaged valves.

2. Leg clots

A blood clot forms in one or more veins as a result of thrombophlebitis. One of the factors causing this condition is lack of motor activity for long periods of time, undergoing a surgical procedure, or intravenous injury. Among its symptoms:

• Redness and swelling of the feet
• Pain in the affected area
• feeling warm

A doctor should be visited if redness and swelling appear in the vein so that the condition does not develop and the clot moves to other parts of the body such as the lungs.

3. Side effects of some medications

Swelling in the feet can be a side effect of taking some medications. Among those drugs:

• Antidepressants
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• some diabetes medications
• Anabolic steroids such as androgenic steroids
• Calcium channel blockers, used to treat high blood pressure
• Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone

treatment: In the event that it is suspected that the swelling of the feet is caused by taking some types of medications, it is recommended to consult a doctor, who may work to change the treatment dose or prescribe alternative medications.

4. Foot infection

One of the reasons for the swelling of the feet may be the occurrence of infections resulting from the foot infection, and the most susceptible person is those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy or any other nerve disease in the feet. It may be a factor in infection, wounds, burns and insect bites.

Methods of Treatment: The doctor may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to treat the infection.

5. Heart disease

Swelling of the feet may be the result of heart failure. If the heart is damaged, it may affect its ability to pump blood efficiently. And if the ankle swells in the evening, this may be a symptom of right-sided heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure are:

• heart rate
• Cough
• Flatulence
• overweight
• Anorexia
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of ability to focus

Heart failure treatment: Treatment of heart failure may include a doctor’s recommendation to take medications, use devices to support the heart, and surgical intervention may be required.

6. Kidney disease

People with kidney disease may experience impaired ability of the kidneys to expel excess fluid from the body (which is one of its main functions), leading to a buildup. A person may develop kidney disease without showing any symptoms until the condition becomes severe. As for the appearance of symptoms, which may vary from one case to another, Symptoms may include:

• hard breathing
• Nausea or vomiting
• lack of urination
• feeling tired
• pain in chest
• trance

treatment: Treatment for kidney failure may include dialysis or a kidney transplant.

7. Liver disease

One of the reasons for swollen feet is also liver disease, which may prevent the production of albumin (a protein that helps prevent blood from leaking out of blood vessels). So the decrease in albumin may lead to blood leakage, which may result in fluid accumulation in the feet and legs, and thus swelling of the feet.

Symptoms of liver disease are:

• dark urine
• Pale or bloody stools
• Flatulence
• jaundice
• Nausea or vomiting
• Ease of bruising the body
• Anorexia
• itchy skin

Liver disease treatment:

Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, losing excess weight, stopping smoking or drinking alcohol, and prescribing certain medications. In chronic cases, surgical procedures are resorted to.

8. An injury

Some injuries may result in swelling of the feet, such as bone fractures, sprained feet, or severe stress. Treatments for injured feet may include:

• Provide comfort for the feet
• Apply ice or cold compresses to the affected foot for about 20 minutes
• Use pressure bandages to help stop swelling
• Raising the feet above chest level, especially at night

Depending on the severity of the injury, the doctor may recommend taking some painkillers or wearing a splint to support the injured leg, or some severe cases may require surgical intervention.

9. Swollen feet and lifestyle

Certain lifestyles may cause swollen feet. Among those factors:

• overweight
• Wearing uncomfortable shoes
• Frequent travel

Methods of Treatment:

1. Doing sports activities constantly
2. Maintain a healthy weight
3. Drink more water
4. Soak the feet in a cold water bath
5. Follow a healthy diet
6. Eat foods rich in potassium to help reduce water retention

Causes of swollen feet in women

Among the causes of swollen feet in women are:

1. Pregnancy and childbirth

A symptom of late pregnancy may be swelling of the feet and ankles, as a result of excess fluid retention and increased pressure on the veins. These symptoms may also appear after childbirth.

Methods of Treatment:

Some simple home remedies can be followed such as avoiding standing for a long time, elevating the feet, wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, cooling the feet, drinking more water while limiting salt intake.

2. Preeclampsia

If severe swelling appears suddenly during pregnancy (usually in the last half of pregnancy), this may be a sign of pre-eclampsia. Symptoms of swelling also include high blood pressure, fluid retention, and protein in the urine.

Signs of preeclampsia are:

• severe swelling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Vertigo and dizziness
• vision changes

treatment: If a pregnant woman experiences any of these symptoms, she should consult a doctor immediately.

Treat swollen feet

In order to determine the most appropriate way to treat swollen feet, the treatment is determined by the doctor, after diagnosing the condition and knowing the cause. However, some home remedies may help relieve swelling and swelling of the feet, Among those treatments:

1. Drink more water

Drinking more glasses of water may help reduce swelling.

2. Wear compression stockings

Compression socks are used to reduce swelling in the feet.

3. Cold foot bath

Soak the feet in a bath of cold water to which Epsom salt is added for 15 to 20 minutes in order to reduce swelling and inflammation and help to relax.

4. Moving the feet

This is by walking, moving the knee and ankle, or walking around the place a little. Do not try to stand or sit for long periods, so that fluids do not accumulate, causing swollen feet.

5. Raising the feet

By resting the feet on a high pillow or on a chair in order to raise the feet above the level of the chest, for about 20 minutes.

6. Take a magnesium supplement

As the fluid retention in the body may be a result of a magnesium deficiency, so including magnesium-rich foods in your diet may help reduce swelling, Among the foods rich in magnesium:

• Almonds
• cashews
• spinach
• broccoli
• avocado
• Dark chocolate

Eating between 200 to 400 mg of magnesium per day may help treat swollen feet. But you should consult your doctor first before taking any kind of supplement. This is because it is not suitable for everyone, especially for those who suffer from some diseases such as heart disease and kidney disease.

7. Weight loss

This is because weight gain may lead to decreased blood circulation, and thus swelling of the feet. So you need to maintain a healthy weight, and get rid of excess weight properly.

8. Eat foods rich in potassium

A lack of potassium in the body may help with water retention and high blood pressure. So eating some foods that contain potassium may help in treatment. Among the foods rich in potassium:

• pistachio
• the banana
• chicken
• Salmon
• White Beans
• sweet potato

Now that you know the causes of swollen feet, do not be complacent when you suspect the emergence of any of the symptoms, and we always recommend consulting a doctor for reassurance and treatment of any disease in its early stages instead of exacerbating them and the resulting deterioration of the health condition.