Causes of Swollen Feet and Easy Ways to Deal With It

Swelling in the legs makes it difficult to move. Know what causes it to avoid disrupting your activities. In medical science, swollen feet are usually caused by edema or a buildup of fluid in the body, precisely in the legs. Swelling in the feet is affected by a person's health condition. Patients with kidney and heart disease will generally experience swelling of the feet. Here are some things that cause swollen feet:

Lymphedema. Medical conditions due to interference with lymph vessels that inhibit the circulation of fluids in the legs. As a result, fluid builds up and makes the legs swell.
Injury. Swelling in the legs can occur due to injuries to the feet and ankles. When an ankle is injured or missteps, the ligament (a flexible band that connects bone to bone) will stretch beyond normal limits. This causes the feet to swell.
Pregnancy Swollen feet in a pregnant woman are normal. This happens because large blood vessels in the groin receive pressure from the baby in the womb whose body is getting bigger. That is why in the last months of pregnancy generally there will be swelling of the feet.
However, swollen feet in pregnant women should still be aware of, especially if the calves also swell and leave a curve when pressed. If this condition occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, there is a possibility you have preeclampsia.
In addition, you also need to be vigilant if the swelling only occurs in one leg and the calves turn red. This can be a symptom of blood clots in blood vessels.
Infection. Swollen feet due to infection are more often experienced by people with diabetes and who have nerve problems in the feet. So, if you suffer from this disease, you need to really pay attention to the condition of the feet, especially when there are blisters and sores.
Blood clots. Blood clots in blood vessels in the legs will cause obstruction of blood flow from the legs to the heart. The buildup of frozen blood can trigger swollen feet.
Have a disease. Swollen feet can indicate that a person has kidney, heart or liver disease. When the kidney is disrupted or cannot function properly, fluid can accumulate in the legs resulting in swelling.
Venous insufficiency. Swollen feet can be an early symptom. You have venous insufficiency, a condition when blood cannot move up from the veins in the legs to the heart. This results in swelling in the legs. If left untreated, this condition can cause skin ulcers, infections, and skin changes.
Drug side effects. Some medications can cause swollen feet including diabetes medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressant drugs, steroid drugs, medications for blood pressure, and the use of oral contraceptives.
Other causes. Women who are in the menstrual cycle may experience swollen feet. In addition, standing too long, driving a car or traveling by plane for a long time can also be a trigger factor for swelling in the legs.

Tips for Overcoming Swollen Feet

There are several easy ways you can do to reduce the risk of swelling in the legs.

• Lose weight if excessive.
• Compress with an ice cube wrapped in a towel.
• You can lie down then lift your legs up.
• Reduce salt intake.
• Use compression stockings.
• Avoid standing too long.
• Do light exercise that moves the legs.
• Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight, especially on the thighs.

If the cause of swollen feet due to side effects of drugs, do not immediately stop taking it without the permission of your doctor. You can see the doctor again to ask for alternative medicine. If in these ways the condition of your feet does not improve or actually get worse, you can consult a doctor.