How to Reduce Swelling in Feet
Swollen feet can cause discomfort and pain, and sometimes it can keep you from moving comfortably. Swelling in the feet can be caused by many different conditions whether it's from long hours of standing, sitting, surgery or pregnancy.
Our vein doctors at Physicians Vein Clinics have outlined effective ways to relieve the swelling in your feet.
Should I Be Worried About Swollen Feet?
Many factors can cause feet to swell including:
Surgery
Pregnancy: Many pregnant women report swelling in their legs. Hormonal changes, extra weight, and added blood volume can cause swelling in the ankles and feet. The swelling tends to get worse as a woman's due date nears, particularly near the end of the day and during hotter weather.
Long hours standing or sitting
Medical reasons
Chronic venous insufficiency. Swollen feet can be an early symptom of vein disease. Venous insufficiency happens when the blood is not being pumped back to the heart properly, which makes the blood pool in the lower legs and calves. This leads to leg and feet swelling as a consequence.
DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis): DVT is a serious medical condition that causes a blood clot in the larger veins found deep inside the leg. If the blood clot dislodges from the vein wall and moves through the venous system, it could eventually block a vein in the heart, brain, or lungs. This could pose a danger to your health.
Cancer: Leg swelling can be the very first sign of cancer.
Congestive heart failure: If you have congestive heart failure, your heart cannot pump blood effectively, which leads to blood pooling in your legs, ankles, and feet.
Pulmonary hypertension: a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries' lungs and heart. It’s a life-threatening medical condition that requires immediate emergency care.
Lymphedema: Lymphedema is commonly caused by damage due to cancer treatment. The main symptom is swelling in an arm or leg that may be accompanied by pain or discomfort.
Normally swollen feet are temporary and aren't a medical concern. However, if the swelling is frequent, causes discomfort, or hinders your daily activities, you should take measures to reduce swelling.
When To Seek Medical Attention
In some cases, swollen feet may require urgent care. If you experience any of the symptoms along with swollen feet, seek immediate medical care:
Unexplained painful swelling of your feet or legs
Warmth, redness, or inflammation in the affected area
Swelling that’s accompanied by a fever
New foot swelling during a pregnancy
Shortness of breath
Swelling of only one limb
Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
How To Relieve Painful Swollen Ankles and Feet
Here are some conservative therapies that can be done at home:
Wear Compression Socks
Compression stockings support blood flow and provide pain relief in the legs, ankles and feet. Compression socks come in different levels of pressure: light, medium and heavy depending on the condition of your legs.
It's important to consult a vein doctor to determine the proper pressure for your legs. Wearing compression socks in the morning and taking them off before going to bed can alleviate the swelling. Compression stockings are affordable, but often a temporary solution that is recommended by our doctors in certain cases.
Read More:
Easy ways to wear a compression stocking
Compression Hose: All you need to know
Elevating Your Legs
Standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time are listed as the common causes of leg swelling. Elevating your legs before sleeping can help you relieve the pain. Various yoga poses, such as lying on the floor with your legs raised and pressed against the wall, can also help.
Trying to elevate your legs, preferably above your heart, for 20 minutes is recommended for everyone, especially pregnant women.
Exercising or Frequent Moving
Move or flex your ankles and knees every 30 minutes to increase the blood flow. Consider low-intensity exercises such as swimming, jogging, walking, or yoga to help you maintain healthy legs and prevent developing vein disease.
Read More: 5 popular exercises that are good for vein health
Drinking More Water
Water accounts for 70% of the human body. When your body is dehydrated, it holds the fluid and results in swollen legs, feet and ankles.
Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water daily to reduce and prevent swelling as a symptom of vein disease.
Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Being overweight adds pressure and causes legs to swell. It can also cause vein problems. Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight range can reduce the symptom and improve your overall health.
Eating Healthy
Managing your diet can make a huge difference to your leg health. Some common notes you should pay attention to in your diet:
Increase the consumption of superfoods (chia seed, blackberries, ginger, beets, watercress, buckwheat, leafy greens).
More potassium intake: Potassium intake can prevent the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Add flavonoids: Flowering and fruit-bearing plants are those rich in flavonoids.
Avoid eating fatty and salty foods: Salty foods result in greater water retention, which puts excessive pressure on varicose veins. Cutting back on sodium can help you solve this problem.
High-fiber diet: Consuming high-fiber food will help relieve constipation and reduce the chances of venous insufficiency
Read More:
Recommended Diet for Venous Insufficiency
8 Superfoods for Varicose Veins
Massage Your Feet
Soak your feet and ankles in a cool bath with Epsom salt or massaging them for 15 to 20 minutes can relieve swelling. Avoid water that is too cold or too hot.
When To Find a Vein Clinic Near You
If you have uncomfortable swelling in your feet, ankles or legs, it is recommended that you seek medical advice from a vein doctor first. Understanding the underlying causes of your swelling can help you determine the best treatment options and support the health of your veins.
At Physicians Vein Clinics, we offer a free screening for every patient to help you diagnose the cause of the swelling. Our vein doctors are board-certified and have years of experience in treating vein diseases and vein-related symptoms. We have 10 convenient vein treatment locations across South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.