This can also cause swelling of the feet, as well as angiotensin receptor blockers, which prevent sodium from leaving your body. Since most factors that cause swelling of the foot can also cause swelling of the ankle, this article will discuss swelling as a general topic to cover swelling of the foot and ankle. Some of the few exceptions where swelling of the feet or ankles occurs alone without both being involved will be discussed. Swelling can occur in women taking estrogen or during parts of the menstrual cycle. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.
Common causes of edema are long-term position, long-term session, pregnancy, obesity and increasing age. Deep venous thrombosis forms when a clot blocks normal blood flow into deep veins. Blood clots are solid blood masses that can form in your veins and a blocked blood flow. If the swelling in the foot is due to a blood clot, expect only one foot to be affected depending on where the clot forms. You can also feel pain or tenderness and see redness of the skin.
Conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can be associated with water retention. In these cases, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic medicine to help your body remove the fluid that can make your condition worse. Limiting your sodium intake can also help in these cases. There are many possible underlying causes for swollen feet.
Notify your doctor immediately if sudden or severe swelling occurs during pregnancy. More serious medical problems, such as hypertension, blood clots, liver or kidney disease, can also be revealed with lower limb swelling. That is why it is important to have one of our podiatrists, Varun Gujral and Dr. Nrupa Shah, examine your swollen feet or ankles and diagnose the source of the edema. If the swelling is accompanied by other alarming symptoms, such as shortness of breath or dizziness, seek medical attention immediately. Liver The liver is the largest gland and organ in the body. There are various liver disorders caused by liver inflammation, scarring in the liver, liver infection, gallstones, cancer, toxins, genetic diseases and blood flow problems.
Lack of albumin means that blood can leak, causing fluid to build up in the legs and feet, which can lead to swelling. Heart failure in particular can cause the body to retain salt and water, resulting in swollen feet. If blood clots develop in the veins in the legs, they can prevent blood from returning to the heart. Swollen feet can be caused by factors such as overuse, surgery or pregnancy.
Also, surgery can sometimes interfere with lymph node, causing swelling in an arm or leg, usually only on one side. If you work in a job where you have to stand or sit in one place for a long time, you have probably experienced some swelling in the ankles. Without that extra help from moving muscles, blood and fluids can build up in the feet and ankles.
Lymphatic fluid brings infection-fighting white blood cells to different parts of the body. Lymph node groups throughout the body control the travel of this fluid. But if your lymph nodes are damaged or removed during cancer surgery, for example, the fluid will not drain properly, causing swelling.
For many people, simply lifting your feet over the heart or just getting up your feet during the day will reduce or eliminate the swelling. One-sided swelling of the foot or ankle generally has the same symptoms described above as the underlying cause is one-sided lymphoma, venous insufficiency or blood clots. However, blood clots often cause pain when the swollen area puts pressure on the area. Chronic venous insufficiency often has skin changes in color and texture as described above, but can also develop skin ulcers or secondary infections. Many people can simply position themselves on their backs, raise their feet and ankles higher than their heart and after a while the swelling can be completely resolved. For example, many people with chronic congestive heart failure will have chronic bilateral swelling of the feet and ankles with changes in the skin.
Pregnant women may also experience swelling of the feet and ankles. Other people may have swollen ankles and feet due to a blood clot or venous problems. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention immediately if your ankles and feet suddenly start to swell for no apparent Expert Foot Doctor Brentwood California reason. Exercise and exercise is one of the best things you can do to light swollen feet. Movement facilitates blood and lymph flow, making it less likely to build up in the legs. Exercise can help reduce swelling and increase strength after an injury to a foot or lower leg.