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Have Swelling Of Feet And Ankles After Standing For Few Hours. What Is The Reason?
Question: I'm having swelling in my feet and ankles, they will swell just after being on them 2-3 hrs I don't know what's wrong and I'm worried I've had this issue for some time now.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Swelling of the feet after standing for few hours occurs because standing results in inactivity which causes blood to pool in your leg veins. This should go away soon. But if you are taking any birth control pills then it needs an evaluation because then women have an increased risk of blood clots.
Other cause could have been the high temperature in which you are living. Not taking adequate fluids coupled with a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates can cause ankle and feet swelling.
Other serious causes for pedal and ankle edema are congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude and pregnancy. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause such swelling in the feet and ankles.
You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) If you are taking any birth control pills then get an immediate evaluation from a physician.
If the swelling persists then I suggest you a physician consultation. You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
Swelling of the feet after standing for few hours occurs because standing results in inactivity which causes blood to pool in your leg veins. This should go away soon. But if you are taking any birth control pills then it needs an evaluation because then women have an increased risk of blood clots.
Other cause could have been the high temperature in which you are living. Not taking adequate fluids coupled with a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates can cause ankle and feet swelling.
Other serious causes for pedal and ankle edema are congestive heart failure, kidney disease, arthritis, high altitude and pregnancy. Are you taking some medicines like laxatives? Abusing these drugs can also cause such swelling in the feet and ankles.
You should follow these lifestyle measures to alleviate the symptoms:
1) Increase muscle activity with walking, avoid standing in place for long periods of time and avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
2) Limit salt intake and stop taking any laxatives (if you are taking them).
3) Elevate the legs when sitting and wear leg wedges while sleeping, support socks and proper fitting shoes and socks.
4) Keep your fluid intake adequate by taking plenty of fluids.
5) If you are taking any birth control pills then get an immediate evaluation from a physician.
If the swelling persists then I suggest you a physician consultation. You need to get blood tests, kidney function tests, electrolyte levels, ECG and stress ECHO, venous Doppler of the legs and urine tests done.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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