What causes feet to swell while sitting?

The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema. Edema is commonly seen in the feet and ankles, because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in these locations. Common causes of edema are prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, being overweight, and increase in age.
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Why do my feet swell every time I sit?

When a person's feet swell, the condition is referred to as dependent edema. It develops when extra fluid is trapped in your body's tissues. And when you sit for a long period with your legs hanging downward, gravity pulls the fluid down into your feet, resulting in swollen feet.
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When should you worry about feet swelling?

When should you call the doctor? Report your symptoms to your doctor if there's so much swelling that it leaves an indentation if you press your finger into it, or if it has developed suddenly, lasts for more than a few days, affects just one foot, or is accompanied by pain or discoloration of the skin.
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What disease causes feet to swell?

Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs. Edema can be the result of medication, pregnancy or an underlying disease — often congestive heart failure, kidney disease or cirrhosis of the liver.
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Can sitting too long cause edema?

Sometimes gravity pulls fluid down into your legs and feet. Sitting or standing still for too long can cause edema of the legs, especially in hot weather.
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Exercises to reduce swelling in legs due to prolonged sitting in office - Dr. Rajkannan Pandurangan



How do I stop my feet from swelling when I sit?

Home Care
  1. Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
  2. Exercise your legs. ...
  3. Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
  4. Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
  5. When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
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Will drinking more water help with edema?

1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn't hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have.
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How do you know if swelling is serious?

Internal swelling is often a side effect of a medication or the result of a serious injury. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience rapid, unexplainable swelling, especially if you also experience unexplained weight gain and pain.
...
These include:
  1. itching.
  2. vomiting.
  3. flatulence.
  4. pain in the affected area.
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What medications cause swollen feet?

Medications that may cause the feet to swell include:
  • hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone.
  • calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure.
  • steroids, both androgenic and anabolic, and corticosteroids.
  • antidepressants.
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • medication to help manage diabetes.
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Can dehydration cause swollen feet?

“Usually, individuals who suffer from heaviness and leg swelling make the mistake of not drinking enough water – says Dr. Marco Setti, Head of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni. Instead, it is necessary to introduce fluids into the body by eating lots of vegetables and fruits as well as drinking natural water.
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Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles?

High blood pressure rarely causes swollen feet or ankles itself. However, medication that is used to combat the effects of blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers, can cause swollen feet and ankles.
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Does low potassium cause feet swelling?

Swollen legs, constant drowsiness, headaches, tremors in the calves or thighs, mood swings and irregular heartbeat can mean that you haven't got enough potassium in your diet.
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Does diabetes cause swollen feet?

Poor blood circulation often causes swollen feet and ankles when you have diabetes. Swelling in the feet and ankles is caused by excess fluid that builds up in the body tissue. The swelling is called edema, which is often caused by an underlying issue such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or diabetes.
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How can you get rid of swollen feet?

Support stockings
  1. Movement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. ...
  2. Elevation. ...
  3. Massage. ...
  4. Compression. ...
  5. Protection. ...
  6. Reduce salt intake.
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Does edema go away?

Edema can be: a mild and temporary water retention problem that goes away by itself, a symptom of a serious disease that needs treatment, a condition that could become chronic and severe (like lymphedema after cancer treatment or leg edema in one leg following deep vein thrombosis), or.
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What helps swollen feet in elderly?

Wearing compression socks or compression stockings. Making sure shoes aren't too tight. Elevating the legs to allow gravity to help with circulation. Staying hydrated – it may sound counterintuitive, but dehydration can actually cause the body to retain more fluids.
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Can high blood pressure cause swelling?

High blood pressure can damage the small blood vessels in your kidneys and stop them from working properly. This can cause a number of symptoms, including: tiredness. swollen ankles, feet or hands (due to water retention)
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Which blood pressure drugs cause swelling of the ankles?

1) Amlodipine

Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a medication used to lower blood pressure. The higher the dose, the more likely you are to have swelling in both of your legs and feet.
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Which blood pressure tablets cause swollen ankles?

Calcium channel blockers, which help to manage blood pressure, are a common cause, especially a type called dihydropyridines. The drug amlodipine is an example. Some swelling of the feet and ankles occurs in almost half the people who take calcium channel blockers.
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Does dehydration cause swelling?

Swelling of the brain (cerebral edema) Sometimes, when you're getting fluids again after being dehydrated, the body tries to pull too much water back into your cells. This can cause some cells to swell and rupture.
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What happens if edema is left untreated?

Edema left untreated can cause skin stretching to a point of pruritus and discomfort accompanied by painful swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Swollen areas are at increased risk of skin ulcers and infection.
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What medications cause water retention?

Medications – certain drugs, including high blood pressure medication (antihypertensives), corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to cause fluid retention.
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What is the best diuretic for edema?

Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics are some of the most commonly used diuretics. They're first-choice water pills for hypertension (high blood pressure). At higher doses, they can also help treat edema. Because they work in the kidneys, you'll need blood tests to make sure these water pills aren't hurting them.
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Why do I have water retention in my feet?

Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema. Oedema is usually caused by: standing or sitting in the same position for too long. eating too much salty food.
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Is walking good for swollen legs?

Simple lifestyle changes — such as exercise and weight loss — also can help reduce or prevent swelling while also improving your overall health, says Dr. Botek. She suggested activities such as walking and swimming.
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