Foot edema is swelling caused by excess fluid buildup, often due to sitting for too long or medication. It can be a sign of a serious underlying disease. Mild edema can be relieved by staying active, elevating the foot, and wearing support stockings. Doctors should be consulted for lasting edema.
Foot edema is swelling of the foot and ankle due to excess fluid buildup. The condition is usually painless on its own, although the swelling can cause discomfort when walking or wearing tight shoes. Most cases of foot edema are short-lived, non-serious health problems; fluid buildup can be caused by sitting in one position for too long or by taking certain medications. It is possible, however, that edema is a sign of a serious underlying disease, such as liver or kidney failure. Doctors can explain several home remedies to relieve mild edema and prescribe medications for bigger problems.
Hundreds of tiny blood vessels called capillaries supply blood and fluid to the tissues in the foot. Mild edema occurs when blood vessels are damaged or compressed, causing them to leak. Fluid loss causes the kidneys to retain extra water and sodium from the diet, which eventually enter the bloodstream, travel up the foot, and exit the capillaries again. The excess of free fluid in the tissues is responsible for the symptoms of swelling.
In many cases, the only sign of edema is mild swelling that gets worse throughout the day. A person’s shoe may feel tighter at night than it does in the morning. As the swelling increases, the skin on the foot becomes tender and shiny. An indentation can remain for several seconds after pressing on a swollen part of the foot. If an underlying health issue is responsible, additional symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, joint pain, and increased urination may be present.
Common causes of mild foot edema include a long car ride or plane ride, eating salty foods, direct trauma to the foot, and pregnancy. Swelling is usually not a cause for concern in pregnant women, although worsening edema in the second or third trimester can be a sign of a more serious problem called preeclampsia. Taking birth control pills, blood pressure medications, and hormone supplements can also cause bloating. Blood clots, blood infections, cirrhosis, kidney damage, or heart complications are potential causes of foot edema that require immediate medical attention.
Doctors strongly encourage people experiencing lasting foot edema to schedule physical exams or visit the emergency room. A doctor can inspect the foot, ask about medication use and medical history, and collect blood and urine samples for laboratory analysis. X-rays may also be taken to look for physical damage inside the foot. Once the cause is discovered, appropriate treatment decisions can be made.
Mild edema can usually be cured by staying active and elevating your foot while you sleep. Blood and fluid eventually drain from the region and the kidneys stop holding water. Support stockings are available in most pharmacies to compress swollen ankles and make it easier to wear shoes and move around. A doctor may also suggest adopting a low-salt diet, taking aspirin, or using a diuretic to further improve symptoms. Additional medications or surgery may be needed to address a serious underlying disorder.
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