Having swollen feet and ankles is an extremely uncomfortable and bothersome condition that makes walking very challenging. These symptoms can be triggered by lifestyle factors and other pre-existing health conditions.
Let’s break them down on this list…
1. Injuries
Take great caution even while playing, dancing or simply jogging, as foot and ankle injuries, like sprained ankles or achilles tendonitis, can cause blood to rush to the affected area. This can eventually lead to swelling.
Pregnancy can have its glitches when it comes to feet pain…
2. Pregnancy Complications
While it’s normal for the ankles and feet to swell in some pregnancies, it could spell trouble when they become too swollen. Excess swelling is often a sign of preeclampsia, a pregnancy complication that happens around the 20th week of pregnancy and causes high blood pressure and organ damage.
Outside of pregnancy, having swollen feet is not something worth ignoring either, as the following shows…
3. Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Swollen feet can be seen as one of the earliest signs of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which the blood flow that goes from the legs and feet up to the heart is strained due to the valves in the leg veins not functioning well.
And, swelling does not just stop there…
4. Infections
Swelling in the feet and ankles can likewise be a sign of infections. Those who are afflicted with diabetic neuropathy are particularly vulnerable to foot infections, and sometimes the nerve damage can blunt the pain and worsen the condition.
Fluid build-ups are never a good sign for anything, either…
5. Lymphedema
Lymphedema is when lymphatic fluid builds up in the tissues due to problems with the lymph vessels. Here, swelling begins at the foot and moves up to the calves and the knees as it worsens. This buildup impedes the healing of wounds, making them prone to infections.
When the following occurs, it’s almost always life-threatening…
6. Blood Clots
Blood clots are always seen as dangerous conditions. Those that form in the leg veins block the blood flow from the legs back to the heart and cause swelling in the ankles and feet. This can be lethal if the veins break loose and spread to the heart and the lungs.
Furthermore, swelling of the feet could be your vital organs’ way of telling you something’s wrong…
7. Heart Disease
Having swollen feet is a side effect of heart failure. According to the American Heart Association, this occurs when the right side of the heart starts to lose its pumping power, causing blood to back up in the veins and eventually making the legs and ankles swell.
But, it’s not only the matters of the heart that take their toll on your feet…
8. Kidney Disease
Kidney disease can also cause foot and ankle swelling. The National Kidney Foundation notes that having a poor-functioning kidney often leads to sodium (salt) retention, which then causes swelling in the lower extremities.
Having a yellow belly is another serious result of swollen feet…
9. Liver Disease
The swelling on the feet, ankles, and legs could be a tell-tale sign of liver cirrhosis. As the liver function is decreased, it can cause buildup of fluid in the feet, making it inflamed and enlarged as time goes.
Looking for a way to decrease serious side effects of swollen feet? You might want to cut down on the booze next time you go out…
10. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can make the feet swollen because the body retains more water after drinking. This usually lasts for a few days at a time. But, if swelling occurs beyond that, it could be a sign of liver and kidney disease.
Even medical remedies can have some occasional snags in the feet…
11. Medication Side Effects
Medication can sometimes cause side effects, like drowsiness, fatigue, and swollen feet. Drugs like estrogen pills, steroids, and antidepressants have been found to occasionally cause such conditions.
