Swollen feet (edema) can become a concerning foot health problem if you don’t explore ways to manage them. That said, many folks are left in the dark as to why their feet are swelling in the first place. Knowing the causes of swollen feet is the first step towards treatment, and learning solutions and contacting your chiropodist for help is the second step!
When you stand or sit for extended periods, blood can pool in your lower extremities, especially if your veins are not functioning properly. This can lead to fluid retention and swollen feet and ankles.
According to Mayo Clinic, your body retains more fluid during pregnancy and your hormones are thrown out of whack, which both contribute to swollen feet. A growing uterus can also affect your vein and circulation efficiency, causing edema.
Weight gain can lead to swollen feet because the additional body weight puts increased pressure on your veins. This pressure can hinder the blood flow back to the heart, causing blood and other fluids to pool in the lower extremities.
Diabetes can wreak havoc on your feet in many ways. When it comes to swelling, high glucose levels can thicken the arteries, which causes them to lose their elasticity. This impairs blood flow to the feet, causing severe fluid retention.
Sometimes the humidity we experience in the summer or during a vacation can cause mild foot swelling. This is called heat edema. It occurs when high temperatures cause the blood vessels to expand, which rapidly moves body fluid downward towards the feet.
Unfortunately, our ability to properly circulate blood throughout our bodies lessens as we age. Like diabetes patients, the arteries can lose their elasticity and efficiency. Other risk factors affecting older people include: age-related hormonal changes, mobility problems that encourage a sedentary lifestyle, and medications that cause side effects like swollen feet.
