Swollen feet can be symptomatic of a number of diseases, depending on the severity and duration of the problem. If swelling is caused by deep vein thrombosis or heart failure, then you need immediate treatment as these conditions can be life-threatening but other possible reasons are not that severe. A lot of times, the causes depend on age. Men who are over 50 years of age are most likely to get swollen feet and legs from chronic venous insufficiency which is an inability of the heart to pump adequate blood to tissues in the legs and feet. Women under the age of 40 are much more likely to get swollen feet related to pregnancy or the monthly hormone cycle.
Trauma
Traumatic swelling of the foot usually occurs after an injury. When this happens, the blood may start leaving the blood vessels that form a hematoma. Usually, a hematoma has a fluid consistency that becomes more solid as the blood starts to thicken. If your joint is affected because of a sudden injury, it can lead to dislocation which can result in bruising in the skin over the joint as well as severe pain and visible deformity.
Heart Diseases
Feet edema and swelling are indications of congestive heart failure. Edema is defined as an abnormal collection of fluid in body tissues. Congestive heart failure weakens the heart and pumps blood less effectively, and as a result, there will be a fluid build up. Edema is prominent in the feet and legs because of the effects of gravity. However, if by any chance the fluid builds up quickly, it may accumulate in the lungs as well. If heart failure affects the right side of the heart, edema (swelling) can grow in the abdomen as well. If the underlying cause of the edema (heart disease) is treated, it will in turn treat the swelling. Doctors may use vasodilator and diuretic medications to treat congestive heart failure.
Kidney Diseases
Removing waste from the body is a main function of the kidney. Normally kidney diseases result in the body not being able to get itself rid of excess fluid. However, advanced kidney disease can result in accumulation of certain chemicals inside the bloodstream, including albumin. Plasma proteins such as albumin are important elements in the regulation of fluid volume inside the bloodstream. Nephrotic syndrome characterizes low blood albumin levels, elevated blood lipids, extreme swelling, weight gain, fatigue and foamy urine. When the protein albumin increases, it can trigger the onset of nephrotic syndrome. If the excess fluid leaks in the spaces within the tissues, it can result in swelling. And the most common sites to swell because of kidney disease are the eye and the legs.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Usually, the foot and leg veins drain the blood from the tissues to the heart against gravity, a process that is possible because of venous valves, which prevent the blood from moving backward. When the venous valves get damaged, the blood flowing in the wrong direction- not returning properly to the heart from the legs- can cause swelling, pain, an increased incidence of infections, and skin changes. Chronic venous insufficiency is generally the result of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs, a condition described as deep vein thrombosis.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
The venous system is split into superficial veins closer to the skin and deep veins buried within the leg. A blood clot also called thrombus in the deep veins is more dangerous because those veins are larger and play an important role in the drainage of the blood from the leg. DVT can lead to a pulmonary embolism which is a life-threatening disease. A pulmonary embolism grows when the blood clot from the vein travels to the lungs and blocks a blood vessel. There are certain factors that raise the risk of a DVT, such as operations, heart failure, pregnancy, smoking, being overweight, inflammation of the vascular wall, and malignancies. Pain, swelling, tenderness and discomfort in the affected leg are some of the symptoms of DVT.
Pregnancy
It is completely normal for pregnant women to experience swelling in their feet. As the uterus grows and the fetus develops, the process places more pressure on the veins in the lower part of the body. Swelling demonstrates primarily in the feet and is more noticeable during the third trimester and in women carrying twins. During pregnancy, the body releases hormones that help in stabilizing the fetus and maintaining the health of the gestation. However, those hormones can result in accumulation of sodium and water which lead to edema and swelling. Severe swelling can indicate preeclampsia, which may prompt other symptoms including high blood pressure, elevated proteins in the urine (a condition called proteinuria), and swollen hands, legs, and feet.
Lymphedema
The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system, and helps in draining waste products out of the lymph network within various tissues as well. Lymphedema may develop due to cancer or cancer treatment that affects an arm or leg. Fundamentally, cancer patients often receive a special type of massage that encourages the flow of lymph fluid and drainage. However, when a person has lymphedema, the disease impairs the normal drainage of the lymph, which results in the fluids to build up and subsequent swelling and edema.
Prolonged Inactivity
Standing or sitting still in the same position for several hours leads to temporary swelling in the feet and ankles. Swollen feet are a common experience for several people who regularly travel long distances or those with jobs that require remaining stationary for an extended period of time. Regular breaks, frequent position changes, stretching exercises, or a quick self-massage of the legs can help in reducing the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
Other Causes of Swollen Feet
Many other factors that can result in edema:
Certain drugs including steroids, contraceptives, hormonal therapies for menopausal women and calcium channel blockers, can retain fluid and cause swelling. Gout leads to an increase in uric acid levels in the blood. Uric acid starts accumulating in the joints, and causes swelling and inflammation. Similar to pregnancy, obesity also increases pressure in the lower extremities, resulting in swollen ankles and feet.
