6 Things Swollen Feet and Ankles Say About Your Health

The discomfort caused by feet and ankles affects many people. This unpleasant condition is often caused by standing or walking for a long time, wearing inappropriate shoes, or pregnancy. But in some cases, swelling in the feet and ankles is a warning sign of more serious health problems, which should not be ignored.

we, from awesome.club, we researched in depth about what our body may be saying when it has swelling in these regions of the body. Read on and check out our findings.

When the venous system works properly, the valves in the veins do not allow blood to pool in the legs. But as we get older, the valves tend to work less efficiently, causing blood to retain in the legs.

Deep vein thrombosis is also related to the veins that can cause swelling in the legs. Blood clots block the return of blood from the legs to the heart, keeping it in the foot region. If left untreated, this condition can become especially dangerous, as blood clots can “travel” through the body if they break loose. It is possible for these clots to reach the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism. If they block an artery that carries blood to the brain, the result can be an ischemic stroke.

Edema, or inflammation in the legs, can also be caused by heart failure. When the heart is not strong enough, it cannot pump blood from the feet to the upper body.

Damaged heart valves can motivate these types of heart failure that cause inflammation in the feet and ankles. Special care needs to be taken if any other symptoms of heart disease develop, including chest pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

One of the main functions of our kidneys is to eliminate excess fluids from our body. When they are unable to perform this task, the body accumulates fluids and sodium, causing swelling.

This condition can arise as a result of urinary tract infections that negatively affect the work of the kidneys (eg pyelonephritis). Edema caused by kidney failure is usually noticed in the legs and around the eyes.

In addition to having other functions, the liver produces a protein called albumin. It keeps the fluid in the bloodstream and doesn’t allow it to be filtered into our tissues. Some liver changes may decrease the level of albumin in the blood, causing fluid to pass from the bloodstream into the body’s tissues. In such cases, swelling can occur not only in the feet and ankles, but also in other parts of the body.

Along with blood vessels, our lymph vessels carry oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs, as well as eliminate waste and CO2. When lymphatic vessels are blocked and prevented from performing their draining function, a accumulation abnormal amount of fluid, called lymphedema. The problem can arise from infections, surgery, radiation, cancer treatment, among other factors.

Inflammation of the feet and ankles can often be a side effect of taking certain medications. Among these substances are NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), oral contraceptives, oral steroids and others. If your legs are swollen, try to see if this might have to do with any particular remedy.

If swelling in the legs and feet is caused by wearing uncomfortable shoes or standing for long periods, the problem can easily be resolved at home. Just rest well, preferably with your legs elevated. If the symptoms do not go away even after a long rest, or if you suspect that there is a more serious health problem, see a doctor immediately.

Have you ever suffered from swollen feet and legs? What did you do to resolve the issue? Comment and share your experiences with us!