10 Medical Causes Of Swollen Feet

Many people tend to have swelling in their feet and ankles. The causes of swollen feet are often not very distinctly investigated. It is common for people to perceive it as a common problem and self-medicate. However, the causes of swollen feet and ankle are often serious medical conditions. That is why; you should not take this problem lightly. Some of the common causes of swollen feet might actually shock you.

Some of the well-known causes of swollen feet are pregnancy, thyroid gland malfunction and diabetes. However, did you know that even heart failure can lead to swelling of your posterior body parts? Some of the causes of swollen feet are downright frightening. For example, kidney failure is another cause of swollen feet that can be life threatening. Most of the times, swelling in the feet happens due to water retention. And when your kidneys are not functioning properly, your body retains more water than necessary.

WAYS TO TREAT SWOLLEN FEET

Swelling in the feet can also happen due to simple reasons like travelling long distances in a car or aircraft when you are unable to stretch your legs. So you need not be unnecessarily alarmed. Here are some of the causes of swollen feet that you need to be aware of.

Aneamia

Aneamia

When you have severe anemia, your body retains extra lymph fluid. As you have less red blood cells, this could also be indicative of some form of blood cancer. Either ways, you need to be careful.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

The growing foetus puts pressure on your lower body parts including kidneys and blocks your blood circulation. That is why swollen feet is a common complaint amongst pregnant women.

Heart Diseases

Heart Diseases

If your feet start swelling around evening, it could be a sign that the left side of your heart is not working properly. This means there is an impending stroke that could happen to you at any point of time.

Thyroid Gland Malfunction

Thyroid Gland Malfunction

If you have more thyroxine hormone in the body that you require, it can lead to swelling of feet. Swollen feet is one of the first signs of hyper thyroidism.

Travelling Long Distances

Travelling Long Distances

Travelling for long hours by road or even in flights can make your feet swell. When you keep sitting without stretching your legs, your blood circulation becomes slow and the blood starts pooling in your legs.

Renal Failure

Renal Failure

The delicate fluid balance of the body is maintained by the kidneys. But when your renal tissues start to malfunction, your body retains excess fluid. This can lead to swollen feet.

Blood Circulation Problem

Blood Circulation Problem

Your feet may swell when blood from the legs is not able to flow back to the heart and brain quickly. This kind of blood circulation problems can be serious and cause brain damage if not checked immediately.

Liver Disorder

Liver Disorder

Your liver is a vital organ that synthesises a protein called albumin. This protein prevents excess fluid from flowing out of the blood vessels. When the liver is damaged, you can have fluid retention in your legs.

Injury

Injury

If you have an immediate physical injury in your feet like a broken bone or torn ligament, then there can be swelling in the feet. Even a blood clot can make feet swell.

Having Excess Salt

Having Excess Salt

When you consume too much raw salt, the sodium potassium balance of the body is disturbed. This leads to fluid retention in the body that in turn can make your feet swell.

Story first published: Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 11:14 [IST]
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