Complaints about swelling (swelling) of the foot can often be heard from women and men. This phenomenon is caused by an increased content of fluid, which accumulates in the body and makes tissues more loose. As a result of this process, an increase in the volume of the lower limb occurs, which brings a person considerable discomfort. However, it should be borne in mind that edema that occurs in the foot area does not belong to independent pathologies. This is only a symptom that needs to be interpreted correctly and is the body’s response to either an external stimulus or an internal disease. Anyone who asks the question “what should I do - the foot is swollen?” Needs to understand that this phenomenon will require treatment, in which the main attention should be paid to causal therapy.
The first manifestations of puffiness
At the beginning of the development of the disease that the foot is swollen, a person may not even notice. However, despite minor changes, this phenomenon can be determined by the presence of the following symptoms:
- the occurrence of pain when walking;
- a feeling of heaviness in the legs in the evening hours;
- more pronounced severity of the venous bed;
- difficulties in putting on or taking off shoes due to a slight increase in foot volume.
It should be borne in mind that if the foot is swollen, and the cause of this phenomenon will not be eliminated in time, then the symptoms of swelling will gradually increase, bringing even greater discomfort.
Clinical stages
The increase in the symptoms of swelling of the legs goes through certain stages.
Among them:
- the appearance of a noticeable trace after pressing on the site of swelling;
- spread to the calf zone of edema, which brings discomfort not only when putting on shoes, but also while walking;
- tumor spreading up to the knee joints;
- the occurrence of severe stretching of the skin due to accumulated fluid in the tissues, which is the cause of cracks, tears, dermatitis and trophic ulcers.
Causes of edema in healthy people
Why is the foot swollen? This question worries all those who are faced with a similar phenomenon.
The reason that the leg is swollen in the foot area may be:
- Limb injury. Often they complain that the foot is swollen, people after the fall. There is swelling and as a result of any injury to the leg. If, in a similar situation, the foot is swollen and sore, what should a person do? He will need to see a doctor immediately for a diagnosis and first aid. In case of severe pain in the leg after an injury, an ambulance team should be called. This will avoid the negative consequences in the form of bone displacement and hemorrhage. If after a fall or injury, despite the occurrence of edema, a person is able to move independently, then he should smear his foot with a special ointment or cream with decongestant action. Very often situations arise when a person tucked up his foot, and it swelled over a short period of time. In this case, the lower limb will need to be fixed, let the person lie down and attach ice or any cold object to the affected area. This will relieve pain and prevent the further spread of edema. If the joint is damaged before the doctor arrives, you should not try to correct it. It is better to attach a tire to the leg and bandage it as tightly as possible.
- Poor nutrition. Often, complaints that the foot is swollen can be heard from people who eat harmful foods and have an unbalanced diet. Too salty food can have a negative effect on the internal systems of our body, preventing it from fully providing fluid. In connection with the violation of the water-salt balance, many people have a complaint that the leg is swollen in the foot area. What to do in such cases? To fix the problem, you will need to adjust your diet by including more salted foods in your daily diet, while controlling the amount of fluid you drink. In addition, you will have to abandon light and fast carbohydrates that trap fluid in the body two times more intensively than salt.
- Frequent drinking. Alcohol negatively affects the pancreas, kidneys, liver and other internal organs. That is why a drinker can always be distinguished by swelling of the face, as well as lower and upper limbs. The fluid in his body is delayed due to malfunctions of the liver, which cannot cope with the toxins of alcohol-containing drinks.
- The passage of therapy. Complaints that the foot foot is swollen can also come from a person who takes medications prescribed by a doctor to get rid of a disease. This is due to the ability of certain drugs to prevent the removal of fluid from the body. Sometimes swelling of the lower extremities is observed in people before or after surgery. After all, such patients are prescribed droppers every day and injected into the body a large amount of liquid drugs that the kidneys can not cope with. What to do if the foot is swollen for this reason? The patient should consult a doctor to prescribe diuretics. After passing the necessary course of treatment, puffiness of the feet will begin to pass on its own.
- Excess weight. Swelling on the legs occurs with any degree of obesity. This is due to the health problems of fat people, as well as a large load on the body during physical activity.
- Climatic conditions. Often the legs swell in the summer due to high temperature conditions. This is due to the large consumption of liquid in the heat and a sedentary lifestyle during the holidays. Sometimes swelling of the legs occurs during sudden changes in climatic conditions. This happens, for example, during a vacation in hot countries, where tourists go in the winter.
Edema in men
Representatives of the strong half of humanity often suffer from swelling of the legs due to venous insufficiency. After all, their professions are often associated with weight lifting and great physical exertion. In addition, the man’s foot sometimes swells after an intense sports training. A similar phenomenon occurs in connection with fluid stagnation against the background of profuse sweating and lack of moisture replenishment.
Swelling of the feet in men provokes their taste preferences. After all, representatives of the strong half of humanity prefer spicy, fatty and richly salted food. Sometimes full men, in order to get rid of extra pounds, begin to adhere to painful diets. At this time, they may experience swelling of the foot due to the insufficient amount of protein entering the body.
Edema in women
Tumor of the foot in the fairer sex is often associated with hormonal changes. This happens:
- before menstruation;
- during menopause;
- during pregnancy;
- after childbirth.
The causes described above relate to normal physiological phenomena. That is why they do not require special treatment. However, in cases where such phenomena are permanent or occur too often, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Often, the legs in the foot area of women are swollen and due to wearing high-heeled shoes. In this case, the support moves from heel to toe. The foot assumes an unnatural position, which impairs blood flow in it. Provokes swelling and too narrow shoes. How to eliminate puffiness that arose for this reason? Doctors advise wearing spacious shoes with an average heel height or changing shoes during the day.
Edema with diseases
Swelling of the lower extremities can be caused by:
- Heart disease. In this case, the doctor must prescribe diuretics to his patient.
- Kidney disease. Urological pathologies very often cause swelling of the legs. The kidneys stop working in a normal rhythm, which makes them unable to cope with a large amount of fluid.
- Joint diseases. The consequence of these pathologies are strong changes in the articular tissue, which leads to the accumulation of a large amount of fluid. If swelling is detected, the patient urgently needs to see a doctor who, in addition to analgesics, will prescribe other medications that have anti-inflammatory effects.
- Allergic reactions. Sometimes the cause of the appearance of edema of the feet is the body's reaction to medications, food, plant pollen, etc. Allergy symptoms, including swelling, can disappear after taking antihistamines.
- Vascular disease. Such pathologies are certainly accompanied by swelling of the lower extremities. As a rule, patients receive complaints that this phenomenon occurs after lunch, passing in the morning. In these cases, doctors prescribe to their patients drugs that help strengthen the walls of blood vessels and veins, as well as improve blood quality.
Types of edema
Depending on the cause of the negative phenomenon, experts distinguish:
- Congestive edema. They are usually formed due to an increase in vascular permeability and the occurrence of excess pressure in the capillaries. This happens with thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Blood begins to stagnate in the veins, penetrating through their walls into the tissue.
- Hydermic edema. Their occurrence is associated with the accumulation of excess fluid caused by pathologies of the kidneys. These organs lose their filtration ability, which is accompanied by damage to the tubules. In this regard, the fluid gradually leaves the bloodstream, moving into the tissue.
- Neuropathic edema. They occur in people suffering from diabetes or alcoholism.
- Cachexic edema. The cause of their appearance is nutritional failure, which occurs with malignant tumors, low intake of proteins, chronic anemia.
- Allergic edema. A similar phenomenon is associated with a negative reaction of the body to certain substances.
- Mechanical edema. Their appearance is caused by injuries, which result in the reaction of soft tissues or bones to damage.
Diagnostics
As you can see, the causes of the appearance of a tumor in the foot can be very different. If the swelling of the legs is short-term in nature and is associated with a large amount of drunk fluid or with heat, then you do not need to go to the doctor. A similar phenomenon will pass on its own. However, if the swollen foot hurts or there are signs of allergies, breathing is difficult and shortness of breath occurs, then a visit to the doctor is required.
The causes of leg edema should not be looked for on their own. Therapist will identify them by conducting a visual examination, analyzing the circumstances of the symptom and, if necessary, assigning certain studies in the form of:
- blood test (detailed and for coagulability);
- ultrasound examination of blood vessels, abdominal cavity and pelvic organs;
- electrocardiograms;
- checking hormone levels;
- radiography;
- tomography, etc.
If necessary, the therapist will send the patient for consultation with other specialists - a cardiologist, gynecologist, endocrinologist, phlebologist, angiologist or nephrologist.
Elimination of external manifestations
But, as you know, any diagnosis will take some time, and swelling in the feet today already causes discomfort and complicates life.
That is why there are some general recommendations that can bring relief before making an accurate diagnosis. They include:
- salt restriction;
- drinking during the day no more than 2-2.5 liters of fluid;
- water procedures in the form of swimming in a pond or pool, taking foot baths and a contrast shower;
- rest in a horizontal position with the location of the legs on a pad or on a roller;
- holding a light massage with movements directed from the bottom up;
- performing simple gymnastic exercises in the form of tiptoeing, kicking the ball on the floor and rotating the feet.
Treatment prescribed by a doctor
Having diagnosed, the doctor will recommend the necessary course of therapy. Depending on the cause that caused the swelling of the foot, the following methods can be applied:
- adherence to a special diet with restriction of water and salt;
- wearing compression underwear - tights, stockings or golfs;
- the use of various anti-inflammatory gels and ointments that improve blood circulation, eliminate microthrombosis and strengthen the walls of veins, as well as capillaries;
- taking diuretics, which must be drunk only by courses prescribed by a doctor to avoid dehydration, the occurrence of sharp jumps in blood pressure and the appearance of many other side effects;
- lymphatic drainage massage, which relieves not only swelling, but also tired legs, restoring their former attractiveness;
- the appointment of a complex of drugs for cardiac edema, which can increase myocardial contractility, reduce vascular tone and load on the heart muscle.
Preventive measures
Sometimes, in order to prevent the occurrence of swelling on the legs, it is enough to adhere to simple tips.
If the doctors, after diagnosing, did not find serious problems, then:
- during sedentary work, get up and walk around the room every hour, while doing light gymnastics;
- make sure that the edge of the chair does not press on his legs;
- with a long stay in an upright position, devote several minutes to rest, sitting down every hour;
- Do not sit cross-legged;
- in the daytime and in the evening, lubricate the lower legs with a special gel from fatigue;
- remove at least a couple of hours of hairpins and wear beautiful and comfortable shoes.