How to deal with Oedema or Swelling in feet?

Introduction

Excess fluid is collected in any part of the body example if the fluid is collected in your foot then it appears larger than normal is called swelling in feet. Most of the time it may be painless. You may feel stiffness, itchiness, pain, numbness or redness. There are many reasons for swelling feet in human being. It is a common thing if you stand or walk for a long time.

Another name for swelling in feet is Edema. In oedema body vessels leak fluid. This fluid gets collected in any tissue of your body. It can occur in any part of the body feet, arm, legs, ankle. Mostly it is found in people who have kidney, heart or liver disease. Pregnant women also suffer from swelling feet. This is often found in the lower part of the body due to gravity. It is a common problem in older adults.

Sometimes swelling indicates about a health issue or a serious disease that needs to be treated. There are very rare chances of life-threatening problems in feet swelling.

Symptoms that occur along with foot swelling:

• You may feel stiffness, numbness.
• Redness on the swollen area.
• Difficulty in moving foot or ankle.
• Burning feeling
• It becomes difficult to stand or walk.
• Itching

Sometime you may feel body system-related symptoms like difficulty in breathing, enlargement of lymph nodes, headache, sore throat and pain which may lead to life-threatening conditions.

When foot swelling occurs with other symptoms. It may lead to serious diseases like heart failure, allergic reactions or any chronic infection.

You need to consult a doctor if you are suffering from feet swelling along with the Symptom given below:

• Sudden change in behaviour or mental stress.
• Feel difficulty to move body parts (Paralysis)
• High fever
• Feeling of Palpitation, Tightness in the chest and Hallucinations.
• Face, lips or tongue swelling
• Feel difficulty in breathing
• Eye pain and vision changes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blood pressure problems
• High pulse rate

Causes of swelling in feet:

Intake of medication

Some chemotherapy, diabetic drugs, calcium channel blockers, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Can increase the risk of swelling in feet. If you feel that your prescribed medication can cause you swelling feet than you must discuss with your doctor.

Pregnancy

In pregnancy, it is a very common problem. It is a late pregnancy symptom. In pregnancy swelling in feet is due to increase pressure on veins and fluid retention. Generally, it occurs in the fifth month to the end of pregnancy. To prevent swelling in feet in pregnancy you should wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Avoid excess salt or increase water intake in your daily life.

Injury

Injuries like broken bones, sprain, strains can cause swollen feet. When your foot got injured due to blood rush swelling takes place in the affected area.

Heart disease

When you are suffering from heart disease like heart failure then the heart is not able to pump blood properly and blood does not flow to the heart in a proper way. This can cause swelling feet.

Kidney related disease

If your kidneys are not functioning properly or you may have any kidney disease like a kidney stone, kidney failure. This can cause so much salt in your body and your body retains water which refers to a swollen foot.  

Infections

Swelling feet also occur because of infection or inflammation. People who are suffering from foot infections may also feel pain in the swelling area of the foot. Some times bacterial infections also result in the swollen foot by causing cellulitis on the foot. Doctors generally prescribe antibiotics for an infection.

Hormone changes in body

Fluctuations of hormones is also a reason for the swollen foot. It is the most common or normal problem in women. Swelling in feet can start right before the beginning of the menstrual cycle.

Alcohol

Alcohol can retain our body water in excess level. And it can cause our feet to swell. If the swelling continues for more than 2 days. The person should make an appointment with their doctors.

Too much Intake of Salts

If you are habitual to take so much salt in your daily life. It can form sodium in your body and sodium act as a major reason for swelling in feet by retaining our body water.

Sitting, Standing or Walking for a long

When you stand, sit or walk for a long period of time. It may cause swelling feet by slowing down the blood flow. Tight shoes sometimes also cause swollen foot.

Overweight

Obesity is one of the important reason for swelling in feet. Extra fat of human can restrict the blood flow through the veins and it results in swelling in feet. Daily exercises or Yoga is the best way to get rid of this.

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Home Remedies

There are many home remedies you can try at home for swollen foot:

• Regularly stretch and move your legs.
• Reduce your salt intake because it can reduce the fluid amount of your body.
• Maintain your body weight.
• Use compression socks.
• Drink plenty of water. Drink at least 1- 2 litres water per day.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Soak your feet in cool saltwater per day for 15 to 20 minutes.
• If you stand or sit for a long period of time, then try to move your feet in every 30 minutes.
• If you are suffering from magnesium deficiency. Take magnesium-rich food example almond, spinach, broccoli, avocado, dark chocolate.
• Make some diet changes like reduce your sodium intake and take potassium-rich food.
• Massage Therapy can give you relaxation if you are suffering from swelling in feet.

Treatment of swelling feet

When you are suffering from mild oedema. It usually goes away on its own. But if oedema is more critical can be treated with the help of drugs. Oedema also occurs due to intake of some specific drugs. When you go to the doctor, he or she may ask you a number of questions like you have oedema before?  What kind of food do you take on a regular base? Are you suffering from any heart, liver, kidney disease? One most common diuretics of swelling feet is furosemide. Doctors will prescribe you this medicine if your medical history is good. If oedema occurs by the use of medicine. Then go to doctors for another medication that does not cause oedema.

When you need a doctor?

So many times swelling in feet is normal and cure without any medication. It can be treated with home remedies. If the swelling of the feet is not cured for a long time or you feel difficulty in breathing or chest pain-like symptoms. You should get it discussed with the doctors.

Conclusion

It is common and very normal in older adults and diseases. Which cause variance in capillary forces. It is common in pregnant women. Retain of water is the major reason for the swelling feet. Any foot injury, overweight, kidney, heart or liver-related diseases result swelling in feet. A healthy diet, regular exercise, yoga, drink excess of water can prevent swelling feet.

Swelling Feet or Oedema: FAQs

• Q: What are the causes of swelling in feet?
• A: There are various causes of swelling in the feet. Any foot injury like a sprain or broken bone, pregnancy, heart, liver, kidney-related diseases.

• Q: How it can be cured at home?
• A: It can be cured at home by taking magnesium-rich food, drinking excess water, doing exercise, yoga and by taking massage regularly.

• Q: What are the symptoms occurring along with the feet swelling?
• A: You may feel itching, redness, burning feeling in the affected area.

• Q: Can foot swelling lead to life-threatening conditions?
• A: Yes, it may lead to life-threatening conditions. When it occurs with other symptoms like heart failure or any chronic infection.