Have you been having trouble with feet swelling? Hopefully everything is okay and may be an easy fix depending on the causes of the swelling. Our bodies are complex and swelling or inflammation anywhere is a direct response of our body telling us there is something wrong. Peripheral edema(swelling) often manifests as an abnormal collection of fluid on the lower extremities. We want to help you understand why you may be dealing with this discomfort but how you can remedy some of the problems. Here is what we know, there are five main causes of swelling with pregnancy being an important one as well to note. It is over looked often, but does cause extreme discomfort for those who are pregnant and could be a sign of elevated blood pressure. Let's get into some of the other reasons why your feet are swollen.

Prolonged Sitting or Standing

What is your occupation? If your job requires you to sit or stand most of the day this may be why your feet are swollen. Sitting or standing stationary for long periods of time can reduce blood circulation causing that build up of extra fluid. It's the same reason why long road trips or attending concerts feels straining on the feet. Also why this is one of the most common causes of foot swelling. Remedy: stay active and move around as much as possible. If you have a standing desk, use it. Change things up a bit by raising it or mixing it in to your work routine. If you are standing on your feet all day wear appropriate shoes or shoes that promote strength and better alignment. Not sure where to look? You are in the right spot:

• Altra Running
• XERO shoes
• LEMS
• Barebarics
• Feelgrounds

There are more but these are some of the brands to be on the lookout for that we highly recommend. One more thing to note is with the cold temperatures working their way in, toe socks also can support your feet and improve circulation so the swelling is relieved or you avoid it in its entirety.

Fluid Retention

Fluid retention, or edema, is another significant cause of leg and feet swelling. Listed are some of those underlying conditions we mentioned earlier. Each one can contribute to swelling in your feet and extreme pain or discomfort. :

• Heart Condition: When the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, fluid may accumulate in the legs and feet due to poor circulation.
• Kidney Disease: Impaired kidney function can lead to fluid buildup throughout the body, including the extremities.
• Liver Disease: Conditions like cirrhosis can cause abdominal fluid buildup (ascites) and peripheral edema.

Remedy: these conditions are need to be addressed by a healthcare professional. They will discuss with you things like lifestyle changes weather that's your diet, activity level, medications, or a combination of all the above. If you feel this may be the case please reach out as soon as possible to your healthcare provider.

Venous Insufficiency

What is venous insufficiency? When the veins in the legs struggle to return blood to the heart effectively. In turn, can lead to blood pooling in the veins (venous stasis) and subsequent swelling in the feet and ankles. Remedy: Elevate the legs above heart level, wear compression stockings, and engaging in regular exercise that promotes leg movement. We want you to keep that blood pumping and flowing as much as possible. Swelling in the feet is not fun at all and a complaint we hear more often than we want to. Again, there are several factors why, but multiple remedies as well to prevent it.

Injury or Surgery

Are you nursing and injury currently or see more swelling than usual? A natural response to injury or any trauma for that matter is swelling. Whether it be a fracture, sprain, or surgical procedure all can cause inflammation in that area of the foot or leg. If you are an athlete or someone who feels susceptible to injury, you know better than anyone how draining and annoying twisting your ankle or bumping your knee can feel. Remedy: What many are unaware of is some of these common injuries can be avoided. Yes, the typical response to nurture the injury or swelling is rest, elevation of the injured limb, applying ice packs (if appropriate), and following medical advice for rehabilitation and recovery can help reduce swelling associated with injury or surgery