At Superior Foot & Ankle Care Center, we know that swelling of the feet and ankles is a fairly common occurrence. It can simply be the result of a long day spent sitting or standing without enough breaks to move around. Sometimes, however, swelling (also known as edema) can be the result of another issue going on in your body. For this reason, it’s important not to ignore swelling that lasts for more than a day or is an ongoing symptom. Contact our Long Beach office by calling: (562) 420-9800 to make an appointment with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Victoria M. Foley or Dr. Constance Ornelas to have your feet and ankles examined and find the source of the swelling.

Below are some common causes of edema:

Pregnancy—the fluids in your body greatly increase when you are pregnant. That fact, combined with the extra weight, it is normal to gain during pregnancy increase the likelihood of extra fluid pooling in the feet and ankles. Putting your feet up regularly is one of the best ways to prevent edema from causing discomfort.

Arthritis—when your joints become inflamed, it is not unusual for swelling to occur. You may notice pain and stiffness in the joints as well if arthritis is behind your edema.

Vein Problems—venous insufficiency can occur over time and is more common in patients over the age of 50. As the valves in veins get stretched out, they can begin to leak when the blood flows back to your heart. Thanks to gravity, the leaked blood will pool in the lower extremities. Another more serious vein issue that can have swelling as a symptom is a blood clot. If the swelling seems to be moving up your leg or the area is warm, you experience shortness of breath, or feel lightheaded, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Medical Conditions and Medications—edema can be a sign of an infection in a joint in your leg, ankle, or foot. It can also be a sign of lymphedema (a blockage in the lymphatic system that causes fluid to pool in the lower extremities), a heart, liver, or kidney problem. Anti-inflammatory medications (both prescription and over the counter), certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and hormones can all have edema as a side-effect.

Don’t delay in getting even mundane foot and ankle symptoms checked promptly. Contact us if you have any questions regarding the condition of your feet in Long Beach Douglas Park CA.