When you hear “swollen feet,” the phrase might not set off alarm bells. After all, most experience swelling at one point or another. Yet podiatrists know there’s another name for this condition: Edema.
Edema might seem minor, but it can be connected to a more worrisome ailment. Don’t worry: Georgia Podiatry is always here to clarify the facts about your feet! That’s why we’ve gathered some information to help you reduce swelling.
Feet That Swell Could Be Unwell
We detect the presence of edema with a simple test: During an examination, our doctor will determine whether swollen tissue remains full or forms a dent in the skin when pressed. This helps them discern whether your edema is caused by:
- High blood pressure.
- Vascular or circulatory issues.
- Congestive heart failure.
- Low protein in the blood.
Once the cause is determined, it’s important to figure out which symptoms are present. Some of the more concerning ones are:
- Open sores, which could mean there’s an infection.
- Swelling in one foot, potentially indicating deep vein thrombosis or a blood clot.
- Changes that occur quickly or overnight.
Sometimes, edema pertains to lifestyle issues, such as:
- Obesity, which leads to poor circulation in the extremities.
- Sitting excessively at work, which harms circulation by restricting the back of your legs; without the use of the calf muscles, blood isn’t pumped to the feet.
- Too much salt, which makes your body retain excess fluid.
- Hormonal changes. Pregnancy, in particular, will always lead to edema.
How to Treat Swollen Feet
Our expert podiatrists will ask questions regarding your medical history. Then, they might suggest:
- Compression stockings to help move fluid in the legs through applied tension.
- Diuretic medicines to reduce the accumulation of fluid, improving blood pressure.
- Lifestyle changes include elevating feet when sleeping, losing weight, limiting sodium, taking magnesium supplements, or drinking more water.
If you’re concerned after reading the above, please contact us! We’d be happy to help you with edema or any other podiatric problems. Georgia Podiatry proudly serves patients in the Metro Atlanta area and North Georgia. No disorder is too commonplace or complex for our experts: Dr. Evan Brody, Dr. Harshil Patel, and Dr. Erin Cupolo. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, contact us online or call 678-310-0540 today!