Swollen foot can indicate any underlying health issues. It can be something very simple that can be cured or a growing complex health condition that needs urgent attention. The following are probable causes caused due to various factors. If you suffer from any such health issue contact your nearest physician at the earliest.
Reasons for Swollen Foot:
Edema
During this condition, your body holds on to too much water. It can make your feet puffy as well as your hands and face. You might notice it after a long airplane flight or if you stand for hours at a time, and some women have it around their monthly period. It usually goes away on its own, but sometimes it can be a sign of a health problem like low protein levels, heart failure, or kidney or liver disease.
Injury
If you trip or take a wrong step, a swollen foot can be a sign of a broken bone or a sprain — when the tough, flexible tissue that connects the bones around your ankle tears. Your foot and ankle will likely swell as blood rushes to the area to help heal it. See your doctor if it hurts a lot, you can’t put weight on it, or it doesn’t look right.
Pregnancy
Feet can swell as a natural part of pregnancy because a woman’s body holds on to more water when they’re expecting. It can be worse at the end of the day or after standing for a long time. It’s not usually a sign of a problem for the mother or baby, but it can be uncomfortable.
Lymphedema
This is when one or more of your lymph nodes — small glands that are part of your immune system — are damaged or removed, as often happens during cancer treatment. As a result, your body gets rid of less fluid, and that can lead to swelling in your arms, legs, and feet. It can also result from damage to lymphatic vessels or other abnormalities in the lymphatic system. One treatment for this is called pneumatic compression. You wear a sleeve over the affected areas, and the air is pumped into it every so often to put pressure there and help move fluid away. Exercises, massage, and compression sleeves or socks may help, too.
Kidney Disease
Our kidneys filter waste from our blood. If they aren’t working right — because of a condition like diabetes or high blood pressure — too much salt (sodium) can be left in your blood. That makes your body hold on to more water than it should. Gravity pulls the water down, and your feet and ankles can swell.
Liver Disease
Any liver disease could be the underlying cause of a swollen foot. If you have (inflammation in your liver) or you drink heavily, your liver has to fix itself over and over. That can cause scar tissue to replace healthy tissue, and your liver can stop working as it should. If that happens, too much fluid can pool in your belly, legs, and feet, making them swell.
Heart Failure
This is when your heart doesn’t pump blood as it should. If your blood isn’t flowing well in the right direction, it can back up in your legs and feet and cause swelling. With heart failure, it can be uncomfortable to lie down flat, your heart may beat faster or in an unusual rhythm, and you might have a hard time catching your breath. Get medical help right away if you notice these signs.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
To get back to your heart from your legs and feet, your blood travels in veins with “one-way valves” to keep it from flowing back down. These valves can get damaged as you get older or if you stand or sit for long periods of time. Damage to the valves also can be the result of blood clots. If your blood doesn’t return to your heart the way it should, it can collect in your legs and feet and cause swelling.
Whatever might be the cause of a swollen foot, it explains an internal health concern that needs immediate attention. Given the facts, it is also necessary to understand the exact reason behind this problem.
At Abhinav Hospital, we have a renowned Surgeon who looks into the treatment of swollen feet, Dr. Abhinav Bhatnagar. The revered doctor has completed his post-graduation from the prestigious Bangalore Medical College, Banglore after completing his M.B.B.S from Nagpur. He then completed his DNB from Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, and received the Star Student of the year award in Orthopedics. Dr. Bhatnagar authored more than 10 papers in national and international journals. He has been selected for a traveling fellowship to the U.K. in Arthroscopy & Sports Injuries. He is now a full-time Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Abhinav Multispeciality Hospital, Nagpur, and Visiting Consultant at Aditya Hospital, Ramdaspeth (9:00 am–11:00 am) & Mure Memorial Hospital, Sitabuldi (11:00 am–12:00 pm).