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What Causes Your Feet to Swell?

Fluid retention in the feet can happen from normal everyday activities, including being on your feet all day for your work, or conversely, it can be caused by prolonged sitting, such as during a long plane or bus trip that can incite your feet to swell up.

A wide variety of illnesses and injuries can cause or contribute to swelling in the feet, and some of them may require medical intervention. Some of these conditions include:

  • Chronic diseases—of the kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs can all cause swelling in the feet and ankles and other parts of the body.
  • Being overweight—Carrying around excess pounds puts extra pressure on your feet and ankles, making it more likely for swelling to occur.
  • Side effects of certain medications—blood pressure medications, antidepressants, steroids, and hormone replacement therapies can all cause swelling in the feet and ankles.
  • Compromised blood circulation—problems with the blood vessels and arteries can create problems with their ability to remove fluid, with a resultant swelling of the feet and hands.
  • Sprains and other injuriesswelling can happen after just a slight twist or sprain, even when there isn’t any noticeable pain or discomfort.
  • EdemaFluid retention in the soft tissues underneath the skin (edema) is a common occurrence in the elderly. Edema can be a medication side effect, or possibly the result of too much salt in the diet.
  • Pregnancy—Some swelling of the feet is usually considered to be normal and nothing to worry about during pregnancy.

If your feet and ankles stay swollen for several days, or if you experience a severe headache, fever, or other aches and pains, it may be the sign of a serious problem that you should have evaluated by your foot doctor. At Your Next Step, our team of board-certified podiatrists uses advanced technologies, along with years of experience, to help diagnose and treat a variety of foot and ankle problems. Common conditions include sports injuries, joint pain, toe deformities, nail fungus, chronic tendon pain, and skin problems. Foot doctors Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen provide high-quality foot and ankle care to patients in the greater Philadelphia area at our offices conveniently located in Ardmore, Paoli, and Downingtown, PA. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

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