Causes of swollen feet and ways to deal with them

The causes of swollen feet can be caused by various things. This condition that is usually experienced by pregnant women can make you uncomfortable and can also limit your movement. Generally, the cause of swollen feet is usually triggered by injury or a buildup of fluid. Even worse, the condition of swollen feet coupled with other symptoms can also be a sign of a disease. Yes, many things can cause swollen feet. Anything? Then, how to solve it?

What are the causes of swollen feet?

Swollen feet can be caused by a variety of things, from minor things to more serious things, such as serious illnesses. Some of the things that can cause swollen feet are:

1. Pregnancy

Swollen feet are normal in pregnant women due to changes in the body. However, it is abnormal if the swelling is sudden or excessive. This can be a sign of preeclampsia, usually developing after 20 weeks of gestation.

2. Injury

Injury to the foot or ankle that usually occurs when you take a wrong step can also cause your feet to swell. A misstep can cause the ligaments in your leg to slide or sprinkle, causing them to swell. You can apply ice to this swollen leg to reduce swelling.

3. Peripheral edema

Swollen feet can occur due to peripheral edema, where fluid in the blood leaks out of the capillaries and builds up in the tissues. This can be caused by being overweight, standing too long in one place, sitting too long in one place (for example, when in a car or plane), warm weather, or you are menstruating.

4. Infection

Infection can also be a cause of swollen feet. Usually this happens in people with diabetic neuropathy, where the nerves (especially in the legs) are already damaged. The feet of people with diabetic neuropathy are no longer sensitive to any taste sensations, so foot infections are more likely to occur.

5. Venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency is a condition in which blood is unable to move up from the leg veins back to the heart. This is because the venous valve is impaired or weakened.

As a result, blood returns to the lower part of the body and there is a buildup of fluid in the lower legs. This can lead to skin changes, ulcers, and infection.

6. Blood clots

A blood clot or blood clot in the leg can block the flow of blood from the leg back to the heart, which can cause swelling of the leg. You should check with your doctor if you experience swelling in one leg accompanied by pain, fever, and possibly discoloration of the skin on the leg.

7. Heart or liver disease

Swollen feet can also be a sign that you have heart, liver, or kidney problems. Heart failure can cause salt and fluid buildup in your feet. Liver disease can also reduce the production of the protein albumin (which keeps blood from leaking out of the blood vessels), causing fluid leaks.

Kidney disease can also cause fluid buildup in the body because the kidneys don't function properly. It is best to get yourself checked out if swollen feet are accompanied by loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.

8. Age that is no longer young

As we get older, the body is no longer able to produce large amounts of collagen. In fact, collagen is a special protein that is responsible for maintaining skin elasticity and elasticity and preventing bone loss. Collagen also works to maintain the health of your joints. Your body fat levels also decrease as you get older.

These various aging processes then give rise to various problems and diseases in the feet.

9. Pericarditis

Pericarditis is a long-term inflammation of the pericardium, which is the sac-like membrane around the heart. This condition causes difficulty breathing and swelling in the feet and ankles that is chronic and severe.

Other causes of swollen feet

There are many causes of swollen feet. The swollen area can also spread to the ankles and soles of the feet. In most cases, the cause of swollen feet is related to certain lifestyle factors, such as:

• Being overweight (o verweigh t). Being overweight can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid buildup in the feet, ankles and soles of the feet.
• Too long activity. Standing or sitting for long periods of time prevents the legs from pumping body fluids back to the heart because the muscles are not active at that time.

The cause of swollen feet can also be due to factors using certain drugs. Some medicines that can cause swollen feet include:

• Steroids
• Estrogen or testosterone
• Some antidepressants
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib, and aspirin
• Heart disease drugs such as amplodipine and difedipine
• Some diabetes medications include metformin

In addition, these types of drugs can decrease blood circulation by increasing blood viscosity. Well, this is what causes swollen feet.

Be sure to consult a doctor if you suspect that your medication is causing swelling in the lower extremities. Do not stop using the drug until you have consulted your doctor first.

Lymphadema can also be another cause of swollen feet. Lymphedema, known as lymphatic obstruction, lymphedema causes blockages in the lymphatic system.

This system consists of lymph nodes and blood vessels that help carry fluids throughout the body. Blockages in the lymphatic system cause tissue to become swollen with fluid, resulting in swelling in the arms and legs.

What are the signs of leg swelling?

Swollen feet can be a common condition and shouldn't be a cause for concern. However, swollen feet can be a sign of danger and need to be treated immediately by a doctor if:

• You have heart or kidney disease and have swelling
• You have liver disease and have swelling in your legs
• The swollen area is red and feels warm to the touch
• Your body temperature is higher than normal
• You are pregnant and have sudden or severe swelling
• You have tried home remedies to no avail
• Your swelling is getting worse

In some cases, your symptoms can get worse, such as:

• Pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest area
• Dizzy
• Dazed
• Feel dizzy or faint
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about certain symptoms, consult your doctor.

How to deal with swollen feet?

Swollen feet is a very common health condition. This condition can afflict patients at any age. However, you can prevent it by reducing the existing risk factors. Some things you can do to treat swollen feet, namely:

• Rest your feet on a higher place. It can also reduce swelling. You can place a high pillow while you sleep or rest your feet against the wall.
• Soak feet with Epsom salt. Soaking your feet in cold water mixed with Epsom salt for 15-20 minutes can reduce swelling in the feet.
• Limit salt intake. Limiting salt intake to just one teaspoon per liver can help reduce fluid buildup in your feet.
• Get regular exercise. Exercise can improve your blood circulation, which can prevent you from getting swollen feet. Conversely, sitting or standing in one place for a long time can increase the risk of leg swelling. Move your legs every few minutes when sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Lose weight. Losing weight can reduce leg swelling and make you healthier.

If you have done this, but the swelling in your legs has not subsided, you should check with your doctor. It may be caused by a serious problem, such as heart, kidney, liver disease, or a side effect of medication, which a doctor needs to take care of.

If your swelling is related to lifestyle habits or a minor injury, your doctor will likely give you a home remedy for swollen feet. This swollen leg medication can be started by resting, improving food intake, and so on.

If your swelling is the result of another underlying health condition, your doctor will first try to treat that specific condition.

Swelling can be reduced with prescription medications, such as diuretics. However, these prescription swollen feet medications can cause side effects, and are usually only used if home remedies don't work.

In serious cases, your doctor may perform surgery to treat your swelling.

Home remedies that can be done

There are several ways to deal with swollen feet at home including:

• Raise your leg whenever you lie down. The legs should be raised so that they are higher than the heart. You may want to place pillows under your feet to make them more comfortable.
• Stay active and focus on stretching and moving your legs.
• Cut back on your salt intake, which can reduce the amount of fluid that can build up in your feet.
• Avoid wearing garters and other types of tight clothing around your thighs.
• If you are overweight or obese, try to lose the ideal weight according to your height.
• Wear compression stockings or socks.
• Stand or walk at least once every hour, especially if you remain sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• If the cause of your swollen feet is due to the side effects of using certain drugs, you should immediately consult a doctor. Never stop, reduce, or increase a dose of medication without your doctor's permission. The doctor will provide other drug options that suit your condition.

Wear compression stockings or socks to treat swollen feet

Compression stockings are a type of elastic hosiery specially designed to put pressure on your feet. The goal is to create a smooth blood circulation. Compression stockings are tighter on the leg, then gradually loosen up to the calf.

The pressure on the feet and ankles helps the blood vessels to pump blood so that more blood can return to the heart and less blood is stasised in the leg and calf area.

Therefore, compression stockings will not only reduce swelling and pain in your legs, but can also help prevent serious conditions such as blood clot formation.

When do you need to wear compression stockings?

Compression socks are usually recommended by a doctor if blood circulation in the leg is compromised and it causes swelling. Generally caused by problems related to blood vessels. If your legs feel heavy at night or you experience swelling or pain, it is very important to see a doctor to find the root cause of this problem.

Next, the doctor will determine whether you need to use compression stockings or not. The use of compression stockings is usually required for the following swollen legs:

• Chronic venous insufficiency. This condition occurs when the valves in your blood vessels become damaged so they can't pump blood to your heart properly.
• Deep vein thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis or DVT).
• Varicose veins, which are enlarged veins due to valve problems or weakness in the walls of the blood vessels. Due to the enlarged diameter, normal pressure is not sufficient to pump blood back to the heart.
• Spider veins. Although not as severe as varicose veins, unfortunately this condition can develop into varicose veins. Compression therapy can stop this process or at least slow it down.
• Pregnancy. The leg veins are always affected during pregnancy. Often times pregnant women experience swelling of the legs because the enlarging uterus presses on the blood vessels and the presence of hormones that dilate the blood vessels.
• "Economy class syndrome". This syndrome is named as it is related to limited movement of your legs on long-haul flights or long trips by train or car. When the blood flow is stasised, it is easier for the blood to clot, which can have serious consequences if the clot travels to the lungs or heart.