Why Are My Feet Swollen?
Are you wondering, why are my feet swollen? In some cases, mild foot swelling is temporary and no cause for concern. But in other situations, it can be a sign of an injury or a serious medical condition. To help you learn if your swollen foot needs medical attention, read on to explore common swollen foot and swollen ankle causes.
Why Are My Feet Swollen? It Could Be Edema
If your feet and ankles are swollen, you may have edema. This condition describes built-up fluid that gets trapped in your skin tissue. As a result, you foot and ankle look puffy and swollen. Your skin may also appear shiny or look like it’s stretched out.
Anyone can develop edema, but this is one of the most common swollen ankle causes for older adults, people who are overweight or obese, or who spend long days on their feet. Edema also affects people who sit for extended periods, who take long flights or who spend a lot of time outdoors in hot weather.
If your edema is mild, resting and elevating your feet can help reduce the swelling. Minor, isolated instances aren’t cause for concern. But if you have chronic or recurring edema, you need to come in for a consultation right away.
Swollen Foot and Swollen Ankle Causes: Pregnancy
Asking why are my feet swollen and you’re pregnant? During pregnancy, several factors combine to make your feet and ankles swell. These include:
Extra fluid in your body
More pressure on your veins from your growing baby
Hormonal changes
While the swelling should clear up after delivery, you can reduce your discomfort by resting when you can and avoiding long periods of standing. Stick to supportive footwear, stay hydrated and, if swelling persists, ask us about adding compression stockings to your daily routine.
Why Are My Feet Swollen? It Could Be an Injury
After an injury, you may notice swelling in your feet or ankles. This tells us that your injured limb is inflamed. And it could develop after you sprain your ankle, break your foot or ankle or even rupture your Achilles tendon.
If you think you’ve injured your foot or ankle, rest immediately and ice and elevate your leg. If the pain and swelling don’t improve after a few hours, schedule an immediate appointment.
A Different Kind of Inflammation: Bursitis
If you develop bursitis, or inflammation in the fluid-filled sacs that surround your joints, the surround tissue will swell. You may also notice joint pain, changes in skin color and difficulty with movement. Bursitis may be a part of the aging process, but it can also be an overuse injury.