by Last updated on March 28th, 2023 at 11:58 pm
Do you have swollen feet? You’re not alone! In fact, many people experience swelling in their feet at some point in their lives. There are several reasons for swollen feet, and it’s important to know what they are so treatment can commence. This article will discuss the most common causes of foot swelling and what you can do about them. Keep reading for more!
Being on your feet all-day
If you spend most of the day on your feet, you may be prone to foot swelling. This is because gravity pulls the fluid in your body downwards, thus pooling in your feet. It is especially true as we mature and our blood vessels and lymph systems stop functioning optimally in moving blood and fluid around the body.
To help reduce this type of swelling, take regular breaks throughout the day and elevate your feet when you can. Doing this works a treat, especially if vessels are not seriously damaged.
Injury to the feet
An injury or trauma to your foot can also cause swelling. When you injure yourself, the body responds by sending more fluid in the form of inflammation to the area to help with healing. In some cases, this can lead to too much fluid and hence swelling.
Injury can occur if you do excessive walking – especially on uneven surfaces, wear inappropriate footwear, take up ruining, or do some other sport without enough background training to prepare yourself. Remember that these types of injuries can be minute in nature (such as microscopically tears), and you may not be aware of them.
Gout in the feet
Gout is a form of arthritis that can cause swelling in the feet. It occurs when too much uric acid is in the body, leading to inflammation and pain. Several things can trigger a gout attack, including eating foods that contain purines such as red meat, organ meat and seafood, drinking too much alcohol, being under much stress, having certain medical conditions such as diabetes and sustaining an injury.
Gout attack generally occurs at night, and in most cases, it attacks the big toe joint. Scientists and health professionals are still determining why this anomaly exists. The area can be so tender that even a bedsheet touching the toe can be unbearable. If you think you have a gout attack, you must see a physician or care provider to get the proper treatment.
Cellulitis in the feet
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissue and can cause swelling in the feet. It often occurs on the lower legs and can be pretty painful. You may also experience redness, warmth, and pain in the affected area if you have cellulitis.
For cellulitis to occur, there usually is a portal of entry for the bacteria to enter the body. Along with the swollen feet, you will sometimes see a red streak if you are light-skinned or a darker patch if you are dark-skinned. You will also notice this streak or patch moving proximally (Towards the body), known as tracking – meaning the infection is simply spreading.
This infection needs to be treated with antibiotics. It’s vital to see a doctor immediately if you think you have it. Failure could see you getting sepsis which you really don’t want.
Thrombophlebitis
Thrombophlebitis is a condition that causes swelling mainly in the leg, but it can also affect the feet. It occurs when there is inflammation of the veins caused by several things such as injury, sitting or standing for long periods, pregnancy, and taking certain medications.
Females are more likely to be affected, especially those more mature, but men can be affected too. It can become serious in the presence of a blood clot. Please see your physician if you suspect you have thrombophlebitis.
Lymphoedema
Lymphoedema can cause swelling in the legs and feet due to a build-up of lymph fluid. The lymphatic system is responsible for helping the body fight infections and move excess fluid from the tissue in the body. Problems or damage to the lymphatic system is the leading cause of lymphoedema. Note too, that certain types of cancer can lead to lymphoedema.
There are two types of lymphoedema – primary and secondary. Primary lymphoedema occurs when the lymph vessels have not developed correctly. Secondary lymphoedema is caused by damage to the lymph vessels. If you have lymphoedema, you may notice that your skin feels tight, you may have difficulty moving the affected limb, and there may also be a heavy feeling in the limb. Treatment includes exercises, wearing compression garments, and skin care.
Diabetes
Diabetes, when advanced, can cause swelling in the feet. This is because too much sugar or glucose in the blood can damage the blood vessels, leading to poor circulation and fluid retention. It can further lead to several problems, such as nerve damage, infection, and ulcers.
Importantly, when the problems with diabetes become very severe, individuals with the disease can develop what is known as Charcot arthropathy. This is when the bones, ligaments and other soft tissue in the feet become highly inflamed, causing warmth, redness, swelling and changes in the internal structure of the feet.
This is a very serious medical emergency, and care should be sought immediately. The damages caused by Charcot arthropathy are irreversible.
Kidney disease
Kidney disease can also cause swelling in the feet due to fluid retention. When the kidneys are not working properly, they can’t remove excess fluid from the body leading to oedema. It can be quite uncomfortable and lead to other problems such as high blood pressure and heart failure.
Kidney disease causes sodium retention in the body. This is usually due to damage to the filtering system, known in the medical literature as nephrotic syndrome. Be aware that many people may not realise they have kidney disease, as the symptoms often only show once the disease is advanced.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes many changes in the female’s body, including swelling in the feet. As the baby grows in the womb, more pressure on the blood vessels leads to fluid retention in the lower extremity, thus making the legs, ankles and feet oedematous.
If you are pregnant, it is important not to stand or walk for long periods without taking a break. This may sound counter-intuitive, but make sure to drink enough water as it helps with getting rid of excess fluid from the body. Also, wearing appropriately fitted shoes, getting a reasonable amount of exercise, and getting rest when the feet are swollen will go a long way.
Heart failure
Another reason for oedema in the feet is heart failure. When the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should, there is a backup of fluid in the veins leading to congestion, making it difficult to pump blood against gravity; thus, swelling in the feet occurs.
The symptoms of heart failure can be mild at first, but they tend to get worse over time as the condition progresses. Heart failure is a serious condition. If you think you may have heart failure, please see your doctor as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment.
Thyroid disease
The thyroid is responsible for making hormones which help the body function optimally. Thyroid disease can cause swelling in the feet. When the thyroid gland produces too much or too little of the hormone thyroxine, it can lead to fluid retention and oedema.
Thyroid disease can affect anyone at any age. However, females are more likely than men to be affected by the condition. If you have thyroid disease, you may notice that the skin on your feet feels dry and rough. Hypothyroidism is a predisposing factor to tarsal tunnel syndrome which can also cause swelling at the inside ankle.
Liver cirrhosis
Liver cirrhosis is a condition in which the liver becomes damaged and scarred. This can lead to several problems, such as fluid retention, which can cause swelling in the feet. It is important to know that this usually occurs when the disease is more advanced or at a late stage.
Portal hypertension or pressure in the portal vein can cause fluid build-up in the legs, making the feet oedematous.
Obesity
Obesity is a risk factor for many conditions, one of them being fluid retention and oedema. When you are obese, there is increased pressure on the veins, which can lead to fluid leakage into the tissues. Furthermore, excess weight place tremendous pressure on the feet and can damage underlying structures leading to swelling.
Excess weight also puts strain on the heart and lungs, making it difficult to breathe. This can cause a condition known as sleep apnoea, which also contributes to fluid retention. If you are obese, trying to lose weight healthily by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is essential.
Medications
There are certain medications which can cause fluid retention and therefore lead to swollen feet. This is known as peripheral oedema. These medications include but are not limited to:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Birth control pills
- Certain cancer treatment drugs
- Certain diabetes drugs
If you are taking any of these medications and notice that your feet are swollen, it is crucial to speak to your doctor, as they may need to adjust your dosage or switch to a different medication.
Venus insufficiency
Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the valves in the veins are not functioning correctly (not preventing backflow). This can cause blood to pool in the veins and lead to swelling. It is more common in the legs but can also affect the feet.
If you have venous insufficiency, you may notice that your feet feel heavy, achy, and tired. You may also notice that the skin on your feet is dry and thin. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor, as they can advise on treatment to help improve the condition.
Drinking too much alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol can lead to problems such as liver damage, heart disease, and obesity. All of these conditions can cause fluid retention and oedema. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which means it can cause the body to lose more water than it takes in.
This can lead to dehydration and contribute to swelling in the feet since vasoconstriction forces fluid in the extracellular spaces causing fluid retention and making the feet and legs feel heavy. If you drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation. This means no more than 14 units of alcohol per week or as recommended by the health authorities.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease in which the cartilage breaks down. This can lead to bone-on-bone contact, which can be painful and can cause lateral foot pain. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the joints, leading to swelling and pain.
Both types of arthritis can cause swelling in the feet. If you have arthritis, medication can help relieve the symptoms, so you may need to speak with your care provider. You may also need to make lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and consuming a healthy diet if you are not already doing so.
Home remedies for swollen feet
You should always consult a physician if you have swollen as it could be serious. However, some things you could try at home include:
- Elevate your feet
- Apply ice packs
- Wear compression socks or stockings (in some cases, these may need to be prescribed)
- Drink lots of fluids
- Reduce salt intake
- Avoid inappropriately fitting shoes
- Gentle foot massage
- Soak in an Epsom salt bath
- Take over-the-counter painkillers if needed
Questions your doctor may ask about your swollen feet
To diagnose the cause of your swollen feet, your doctor may ask several questions. They may be related to the following:
- Your medical history
- Your family’s medical history
- Any medications you are taking
- Any allergies you have
- Your diet
- Your symptoms
- When your symptoms started
- If your symptoms are worse at certain times of the day
Questions you can ask your doctor
After your doctor has interviewed you on your symptoms and medical history, they will likely know what is causing your swollen feet. However, if you still have questions, you can ask them about the following:
- The possible causes of your symptoms
- The treatment options available to you
- The risks and side effects of the treatments
- What to expect from the treatments
- When can you expect to see improvements in your symptoms
- How long is your condition likely to last
- If there are any lifestyle changes you need to make
- What tests need to be done to diagnose the cause of your swollen feet
Final thoughts
Your feet may be swollen for different reasons. Treatment will vary depending on the underlying cause but may include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery in rare instances. You should see a doctor if you have swollen feet with underlying medical conditions or if you have tried home remedies which did not help. Don’t forget that there are other causes of swollen feet such as a foot stress fracture. Remember, your health is your wealth! Thank you for reading!
