What can cause swollen feet?

But there are also some conditions that can cause similar swelling because they affect the movement of fluids within the body.

  • Venous insufficiency. …
  • Phlebitis. …
  • Deep-vein thrombosis. …
  • Heart failure. …
  • Liver disease. …
  • Kidney disease. …
  • Bone and tendon conditions. …
  • Problems with the skin and toenails.

What is the main cause of swollen feet?

Edema in foot and ankle

Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be severe enough to leave an indentation (pit) when you press on the area. This swelling (edema) is the result of excess fluid in your tissues — often caused by congestive heart failure or blockage in a leg vein.

Are swollen feet serious?

Swollen ankles and swollen feet are common and usually not cause for concern, particularly if you have been standing or walking a lot. But feet and ankles that stay swollen or are accompanied by other symptoms could signal a serious health problem.

How do you get rid of swollen feet fast?

Here are 10 to try.

  1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. …
  2. Buy compression socks. …
  3. Soak in a cool Epsom salt bath for about 15 to 20 minutes. …
  4. Elevate your feet, preferably above your heart. …
  5. Get moving! …
  6. Magnesium supplements can be helpful for some people. …
  7. Make some dietary changes. …
  8. Lose weight if you’re overweight.

What deficiency causes swollen feet and ankles?

ANSWER: Ankle swelling can be a sign of any kind of anemia. I should explain pernicious anemia. It stems from a lack of B-12, essential in building red blood cells. The vitamin deficiency exists because the stomach lacks the substance vital for its absorption (intrinsic factor).


When should I be concerned about swollen feet?

When should you call the doctor? “Report your symptoms to your doctor if there’s so much swelling that it leaves an indentation if you press your finger into it, or if it has developed suddenly, lasts for more than a few days, affects just one foot, or is accompanied by pain or discoloration of the skin,” Dr.

Does dehydration cause swollen feet?

Stay Hydrated – dehydration causes the constriction of blood vessels leading to the forcing of fluids into the extracellular spaces between cells leading to retention particularly in the lower limbs.

Can High BP cause swollen feet?

If your legs and feet are frequently swelling, then your high blood pressure may have already started contributing to heart disease. Take these symptoms seriously and have your legs and feet checked by a podiatrist.

Can a blood clot make your foot swell?

Blood clots, called deep vein thrombosis, can also cause your feet to swell. Blood clots are dangerous because if they break loose, they can travel to your lungs where they can cause a pulmonary embolism.

Can diabetes cause swollen feet?

Poor blood circulation often causes swollen feet and ankles when you have diabetes. Swelling in the feet and ankles is caused by excess fluid that builds up in the body tissue. The swelling is called edema, which is often caused by an underlying issue such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or diabetes.

What medications can cause swollen ankles?

These 7 Medications Can Cause Puffy Legs and Ankles

  • First, how do you determine the cause of swelling? Gradual swelling in your legs and feet might not be obvious. …
  • 1) Amlodipine. …
  • 2) Gabapentin. …
  • 3) Pregabalin. …
  • 4) NSAIDs. …
  • 5) Oral contraceptives. …
  • 6) Oral steroids. …
  • 7) Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.

How do you make swelling go down?

Cold Therapy

You can use ice packs, cold therapy systems, ice baths, or cryotherapy chambers to deliver cold to the affected area. Apply cold several times a day for 20-30 minutes at a time to help keep swelling down, especially in the first several days after an injury.

Can sitting cause swollen feet?

The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema. Edema is commonly seen in the feet and ankles, because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in these locations. Common causes of edema are prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, being overweight, and increase in age.

Can low vitamin D cause swollen ankles?

If your vitamin D levels are low, the weight bearing bones in your feet and ankles are easily affected because they are not strong enough to withstand the pressure of supporting your body.

What happens if edema goes untreated?

If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation.

Can B12 make your feet swell?

Swollen ankles or feet are a potential side effect of vitamin B-12 shots, and require immediate medical attention. There is no upper limit for the intake of vitamin B-12 because the risk of toxicity or overdose is extremely low.

How do you know if swelling is serious?

Internal swelling is often a side effect of a medication or the result of a serious injury. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience rapid, unexplainable swelling, especially if you also experience unexplained weight gain and pain.

These include:

  1. itching.
  2. vomiting.
  3. flatulence.
  4. pain in the affected area.

What meds cause swelling in feet?

Medications that may cause the feet to swell include:

  • hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.
  • calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure.
  • steroids, both androgenic and anabolic, and corticosteroids.
  • antidepressants.
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • medication to help manage diabetes.

What can be done for swollen feet and legs?

Home Care

  • Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
  • Exercise your legs. …
  • Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
  • Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
  • When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.

Does not drinking enough water cause your ankles to swell?

Usually, individuals who suffer from heaviness and leg swelling make the mistake of not drinking enough water – says Dr. Marco Setti, Head of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni. Instead, it is necessary to introduce fluids into the body by eating lots of vegetables and fruits as well as drinking natural water.

What are the 10 signs of dehydration?

10 Symptoms of Dehydration

  • Extreme thirst.
  • Urinating less than usual.
  • Headache.
  • Dark-colored urine.
  • Sluggishness and fatigue.
  • Bad breath.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sugar cravings.

What are symptoms of lack of water?

What Happens If You Don’t Drink Enough Water

  • Persistent headaches. One of the first things you might notice when you’re dehydrated is a throbbing headache. …
  • Sluggish bowel function. …
  • Dull skin. …
  • Fatigue. …
  • Weight gain. …
  • Dry mouth.

Does swollen feet mean heart problems?

Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet

Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn’t work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues.

Can stress cause swollen feet?

When our bodies are under stress it can lead to increased redness and swelling, the cause of this is that they due to the stress most people tend to not be as active because of trying to reduce the stress. Joint flexibility is compromised and muscle strength and tone decreases, causing redness and swelling.

What does swollen feet mean in elderly?

This is a common condition among seniors and is caused by fluid accumulating in the soft tissue surrounding the ankles or in the ankle joint. The swelling may be due to prolonged standing, eating a diet high in salt, sitting for extended periods of time, sustaining an ankle injury, or taking certain medications.

What are the 10 signs of a blood clot?

Get medical help right away if you notice any of these symptoms:

  • Swelling. This can happen in the exact spot where the blood clot forms, or your entire leg or arm could puff up.
  • Change in color. …
  • Pain. …
  • Warm skin. …
  • Trouble breathing. …
  • Lower leg cramp. …
  • Pitting edema. …
  • Swollen, painful veins.

What are the first signs of a blood clot?

Symptoms of a blood clot include:

  • throbbing or cramping pain, swelling, redness and warmth in a leg or arm.
  • sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain (may be worse when you breathe in) and a cough or coughing up blood.

How do I know if I have a blood clot in my foot?

swelling in your foot, ankle, or leg, usually on one side. cramping pain in your affected leg that usually begins in your calf. severe, unexplained pain in your foot and ankle. an area of skin that feels warmer than the skin on the surrounding areas.

What does a diabetic foot infection look like?

Infections can cause constant pain, redness around an ulcer, warmth and swelling, pus, or an ulcer that does not heal. You should see your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of these signs.

What do diabetic legs look like?

Also known as “shin spots,” the hallmark of diabetic dermopathy is light brown, scaly patches of skin, often occurring on the shins. These patches may be oval or circular. They’re caused by damage to the small blood vessels that supply the tissues with nutrition and oxygen.

What medication causes fluid retention?

medications – certain drugs, including high blood pressure medication (antihypertensives), corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause fluid retention.

Can high blood pressure medication cause swollen ankles?

Swollen ankles can occur as a side effect of some high blood pressure medicines, for example calcium channel blockers.

Does walking help swollen ankles?

Tips to reduce ankle and foot swelling

Simple lifestyle changes — such as exercise and weight loss — also can help reduce or prevent swelling while also improving your overall health, says Dr. Botek. She suggested activities such as walking and swimming.

What tablets take swelling down?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs that help reduce inflammation, which often helps to relieve pain.

Nonspecific NSAIDs that are available over the counter in the United States include:

  • high-dose aspirin.
  • ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Midol)
  • naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

What medicine helps swelling go down?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

  • Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin.
  • Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn.

What medication helps with swelling?

Most Common NSAIDs

  • Aspirin (brand names include Bayer, Ecotrin, Bufferin)
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
  • Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
  • Meloxicam (Mobic)
  • Celecoxib (Celebrex)
  • Indomethacin (Indocin)

Does walking help swollen legs?

The best weapon in the fight against swollen legs is a simple one: walking. Getting your legs moving means circulation is improved which will sweep up that collected fluid and get it shifted.

Is it better to take vitamin D daily or weekly?

Daily vitamin D was more effective than weekly, and monthly administration was the least effective.

Can vitamins cause swollen feet?

Vitamins usually do not cause swelling and joint pain. Because these symptoms seem to be connected, it would be best to discuss taking the vitamins with your physician. It is possible you have another underlying condition that is causing the swelling with the vitamins.

How do you know you lack vitamin D?

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. To get enough D, look to certain foods, supplements, and carefully planned sunlight.

What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?

There are four heart failure stages (Stage A, B, C and D). The stages range from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure.”

Stage C

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling tired (fatigue).
  • Less able to exercise.
  • Weak legs.
  • Waking up to urinate.
  • Swollen feet, ankles, lower legs and abdomen (edema).

What stage of heart failure is edema?

The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking. Learn about the hospice eligibility requirements for end-stage heart failure.

What foods cause edema?

Foods that can cause inflammation

  • Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. When there’s too much sugar in our system, our insulin tries to store the excess within fat cells, causing them to get larger. …
  • Artificial trans fats. …
  • Vegetable and seed oils. …
  • Refined carbohydrates. …
  • Alcohol. …
  • Red meat and processed meat.