Lifestyle factors
There are a couple of lifestyle factors that might lead to swollen feet, such as:
- Having a sedentary approach to life
- being a bit overweight
- wearing ill-fitting shoes
Home remedies
Exercising on a regular basis and maintaining a healthy weight might reduce the risk of swollen feet. There are other ways to alleviate swollen feet, such as:
- drinking a ton of water
- wearing compression socks or stockings
- Soaking the feet in cool water
- raising the feet above the heart on a regular basis
- staying as active as possible.
- losing weight
- Adopting a healthy diet and being careful with your salt intake
- massaging the feet
- eating more potassium-rich foods, as they might help reduce water retention.
A side effect of medication
Taking specific medications could result in foot swelling, especially if that’s what causes water retention. Medications that could cause the feet to swell are:
- hormones, like estrogen and testosterone.
- calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure
- steroids, androgenic and anabolic, but also corticosteroids
- antidepressants
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- medication that helps manage diabetes
Anyone who believes their medication might be causing their feet to swell should immediately speak with a doctor, who could alter the dosage or prescribe a completely different type of medication.
