“Why do my feet swell up by evening?”
These days I have been noticing that my feet feel very heavy and swell up by evening. I don’t know what the reason is. What could this be and what do you suggest I do to relieve the discomfort?
4 Answers
Foot swelling is called, "dependent edema" in medical language. Edema is the buildup of fluid in body tissues. Fluid often builds up in the feet and legs because gravity causes fluid to flow to the lowest point in the body. That is why elevating the feet and legs (above the level of the heart if possible) will make edema better, and standing up will make it worse. Typically, leg swelling is least bothersome in the morning. This is because the feet are the same level as the rest of the body while you are asleep in bed, allowing the fluid to spread equally in the body. Then, after being awake and walking around all day, gravity causes the fluid to pool in the lowest body part, your feet. To relieve the discomfort of edema, you can elevate your legs and wear compression stockings. However, when you have edema you should never simply ignore it. Even though foot swelling is common and is often caused by a minor problem, edema can also be a symptom of a serious problem with the kidney, the liver, or the heart. Your doctor will need to do some blood tests, a urine test, and a physical exam if you have a new problem with edema. It is important to get checked out to make sure that you do not have a medical problem causing the swelling.
Hello there,
Do you experience pain while walking and have to stop due to the discomfort? You may need to get an ultrasound to make sure there are no blockages in your arteries or vein. If you are above age 65, have you had a ankle-brachial index checked before. It may help to elevate your feet while you are resting and may bring down the swelling temporarily. But we need to find a cause to help you better.
Do you experience pain while walking and have to stop due to the discomfort? You may need to get an ultrasound to make sure there are no blockages in your arteries or vein. If you are above age 65, have you had a ankle-brachial index checked before. It may help to elevate your feet while you are resting and may bring down the swelling temporarily. But we need to find a cause to help you better.
There can be several reasons, some of which are quite benign, but sometimes swelling can be a marked of more significant issues.
Most common reasons for swelling include
1) sitting/standing for extended periods through the day without sufficient movement to push the fluid out
2) hot weather (blood vessels open more in heat so fluid lingers)
3) increased or too high salt intake (typically gotten through breads and packaged foods)
4) use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or aleve type medications (NSAIDs) as well as many other pharmaceuticals
5) other triggers for increased inflammation, many of which are foods your body might be reacting to
More serious reasons for swelling include heart, liver, and kidney issues. Thus, if some of the more common issues are present and the swelling resolves with adjusting behaviors then no concern. However, if you don't have those issues then a medical eval for liver, heart or kidney issues is warranted.
Other simple measures for improving leg swelling are
1) leg elevation above the heart for 20 minutes 1-2 times per day
2) aggressive hydration to help flush excess salt out of body
3) compression stockings, especially if you're sitting all day
Most common reasons for swelling include
1) sitting/standing for extended periods through the day without sufficient movement to push the fluid out
2) hot weather (blood vessels open more in heat so fluid lingers)
3) increased or too high salt intake (typically gotten through breads and packaged foods)
4) use of aspirin, ibuprofen, or aleve type medications (NSAIDs) as well as many other pharmaceuticals
5) other triggers for increased inflammation, many of which are foods your body might be reacting to
More serious reasons for swelling include heart, liver, and kidney issues. Thus, if some of the more common issues are present and the swelling resolves with adjusting behaviors then no concern. However, if you don't have those issues then a medical eval for liver, heart or kidney issues is warranted.
Other simple measures for improving leg swelling are
1) leg elevation above the heart for 20 minutes 1-2 times per day
2) aggressive hydration to help flush excess salt out of body
3) compression stockings, especially if you're sitting all day
The cause of swollen legs is multifactorial, however, swollen legs, especially in the evening, could be related to kidney failure secondary to high blood pressure. If you have hypertension, you should see a doctor immediately. Other risk factors for this symptom could heart failure, drug induce, thyroid disease, sitting for prolonged times, or inactivity. Try to keep your legs elevated while sitting, but see your doctor ASAP.
