Swelling In Feet Ankles Legs And Hands – If you notice foot and ankle swelling, pay attention to the symptoms. Does the swelling extend above the ankle? Is it worse in the morning or in the evening? What makes the swelling go down? The answers to these questions will give your doctor useful information to determine the root cause of your swelling as well as treatment.
In most cases, unless preceded by an injury, swelling of the foot and ankle is usually caused by an underlying medical condition.
Swelling In Feet Ankles Legs And Hands
Being on your feet for long periods of time or being inactive for a long period of time, such as when traveling, can contribute to lower limb swelling. Gravity causes blood to pool in the lower part of your body. Over time, the pressure of gravity can damage the veins in your legs. This condition is called venous insufficiency, and it can cause more frequent swelling of the legs and feet. If your occupation requires you to stand or walk for many hours, or if you are overweight, you are at greater risk of developing venous insufficiency.
Causes Of Swollen Ankles, Feet
If left untreated, venous insufficiency can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis, in which a blood clot forms and blocks blood from returning to the heart. A clot can also break off and enter the lungs.
Your foot and ankle are made up of a network of cartilage, ligaments, nerves, muscles and bones. Overuse injuries and degenerative diseases that affect these structures can cause swelling in the foot and ankle. Examples of such diseases are arthritis, tendinitis and bone fractures. Swelling is also common if you are injured during sports.
Pregnant women suffer the most from swelling of the feet and ankles. Your body naturally retains more fluid during pregnancy, which leads to swelling not only in the feet and ankles, but also in the hands and face. This condition is called edema. In addition, changes in your body also put pressure on your arteries, which can affect the return of blood from your legs to your heart.
Edema can also be a result of heart, kidney or liver failure. These organs work together to prevent blood, proteins and fluids from building up in your body. If one had a failure, it would lead to swelling of the lower limbs.
Main Causes For Swollen Ankles & Feet
One of the complications associated with diabetes is bone swelling. In this case, the swelling is often a sign of infection and is accompanied by warmth and tenderness. If you have diabetes and notice swelling in your feet and ankles, see a podiatrist right away. It can be the difference between losing a limb and keeping it.
Swelling of the lower limbs should not be ignored, especially if it occurs frequently. If you develop swelling, it is best to see a foot and ankle doctor (orthopedic) for an examination and diagnosis.
At Advanced Bone & Joint, we offer comprehensive foot and ankle care to our patients in St. Peters and O’Fallon, MO. To schedule a consultation, call (636) 229-4222 or make an appointment now.
For immediate foot and ankle care, you can visit our Orthopedic Urgent Clinic, available at both locations. You don’t need to make an appointment, just drop by! A person can experience leg swelling for various reasons. Some causes, such as minor injuries, are obvious and easily treatable. However, others may be signs of a serious underlying condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Swollen Feet: Common Causes And Symptoms
Here we will look at some of the reasons why a person may develop leg swelling, when they should see a doctor, and what treatment may include.
Edema is the medical term for swelling that occurs when fluid is retained in body tissues. It usually affects the legs and feet, but can also appear on other parts of the body, such as the face or abdomen.
Home remedies include wearing support stockings, reducing salt intake and lying with your legs elevated above your chest.
If the swelling does not go down, the person should talk to their doctor to check for any underlying causes.
Swelling (edema): Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment
For example, an ankle sprain, which occurs when the ligaments are overstretched, can cause swelling in the foot.
To treat a foot or ankle injury, a person should elevate the foot whenever possible and try not to bear weight on the affected leg.
Using an ice pack or compression bandage can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can ease discomfort.
If swelling and pain persist, a person may need to see a doctor to rule out more serious damage.
The Relationship Between Peripheral Edema And Diabetes
A common symptom of late pregnancy is swelling of the feet and ankles. This swelling occurs due to fluid retention and increased pressure on the veins.
To treat swollen feet during pregnancy, women can elevate their feet whenever possible, wear comfortable and supportive shoes, and avoid standing for long periods of time.
Staying cool, avoiding salt and increasing water intake can help reduce fluid retention. Wearing supportive clothing such as tights or compression stockings should also reduce discomfort and help reduce swelling.
If swelling during pregnancy appears suddenly and is severe, it may be a sign of preeclampsia. This is a condition that can occur during pregnancy or immediately after delivery. Symptoms include protein in the urine, rapid excessive fluid retention and high blood pressure.
What’s Causing Those Swollen Feet?
This is a serious condition that usually occurs in the second half of pregnancy and can progress to eclampsia, which is even more dangerous and constitutes a medical emergency.
If a pregnant woman experiences any of these symptoms, she should speak to her doctor or midwife immediately.
Anyone who thinks a medication is causing leg swelling should talk to a doctor, who may be able to change the dose or prescribe a different type of medication.
Alcohol can cause water retention in the body, causing the legs to swell. If the swelling lasts more than 2 days, the person should make an appointment with a doctor.
Feeling Puffy? 8 Ways To Reduce Swelling In Pregnancy
Repeated swelling of the legs after drinking alcohol can be a sign of an underlying problem with the heart, liver or kidneys.
Elevating your legs above your heart, drinking plenty of water and reducing your salt intake can help reduce swelling. Soaking your feet in cold water can also relieve symptoms.
In hot weather, the legs may swell as their veins dilate to cool the body. This process can cause fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. Fluid can also accumulate in the ankles and feet.
Drinking plenty of water and wearing well-fitting, comfortable shoes that provide ventilation can help prevent swollen feet in hot weather.
What Is Edema?
The infection can cause swelling of the feet and ankles. People with diabetes are at greater risk of foot infections, so they should be aware of any changes in this part of the body, such as blisters and ulcers.
Venous insufficiency occurs when a person’s blood cannot circulate normally throughout the body. This is due to damage to the valves, which causes blood to leak through the vessels and causes fluid to build up in the lower legs, especially around the feet and ankles.
A person who has any signs of venous insufficiency should see a doctor as soon as possible.
To treat venous insufficiency, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, such as exercise, to help pump blood more efficiently through your body. Compression stockings and medication to prevent blood clots can also help.
Pitting Edema: What Is It, Causes, Grading, Diagnosis, Treatment, And More
Blood clots occur when blood does not flow properly through the body, causing platelets to stick together.
If blood clots form in the veins of the legs, they can block the flow of blood back to the heart. This can lead to swelling of the ankles and feet.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form deep in the legs. DVT is a serious condition that can cause large arteries in the legs to become blocked. In some cases, blood clots can break off and travel to the heart or lungs.
If a person notices any signs of DVT, they should seek immediate medical attention. A doctor may prescribe blood thinning medication to treat blood clots.
Are There Any Essential Oils For Swelling Feet?
People can help prevent blood clots by wearing tights, compression stockings, or clothing that fits loosely around the ankles.
Other prevention methods include being active and reducing salt intake. It is also best to avoid prolonged standing or sitting, especially with legs crossed.
The lymphatic system helps the body get rid of unwanted substances such as bacteria and toxins. Lymphedema occurs when lymph fluid collects in the tissues due to problems with the lymph vessels.
If the lymphatic vessels are damaged or missing, lymphatic fluid can build up and lead to infection, delayed wound healing and even deformity.
Surprising Causes Of Your Swollen Hands & Feet
People who have had radiation therapy or removal of lymph nodes are at greater risk of developing lymphedema. Anyone who has undergone cancer treatment and experiences swelling should see their doctor immediately.
Treatment options for lymphedema include exercise and targeted massage, which can help drain excess fluid. Wearing bandages or compression garments can also be helpful.
Swelling of the legs can be a sign of heart disease or heart failure. If the heart is damaged, it cannot pump
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