What is the Fastest Way to Reduce Swelling in Feet?

Effective Ways to Reduce Swelling in Feet

The most common and fastest way to reduce swelling in feet includes gentle exercise, raising your legs, and staying hydrated regularly. Elevating your legs above your heart when lying down can reduce fluid buildup. On the other hand, doing light exercises, such as walking, can also improve blood circulation, reducing swelling.

What are the Symptoms of Swelling in the Feet?

Swelling in the feet and ankles, or oedema, is one of the most common causes due to various underlying conditions, like kidney disease, heart failure, or liver disease. However, it also shows other signs, which include:

• Tightness in the affected area.
• Puffiness due to swollen blood vessels.
• Warmth in the affected area.
• Redness due to increased blood flow and fluid retention.
• Difficulties in moving the feet and ankles, along with heaviness.

What is the Main Cause of Swelling in the Feet?

There are various primary causes of swelling in the feet, of which oedema is the most common cause. It is a condition where excess fluid builds up in your tissues, leading to swelling. Several factors can cause this fluid retention in your foot tissues, including:

• Venous Insufficiency : This particular condition arises due to weakening or damage in the valves of your foot veins, which makes it difficult to pump blood back to your heart. It eventually leads to fluid and blood pooling in the regions of the ankles and legs, leading to oedema. Any kind of skin infection can also cause fluid leakage within the tissues.
• Pregnancy : A growing uterus can press on blood vessels in the lower trunk of your body, leading to fluid retention and swelling. Oedema in the feet is one of the most common symptoms during pregnancy. This can cause difficulties in walking or daily life activities during pregnancy.  
• Underlying Health Conditions : Certain underlying health conditions, like kidney disease, thyroid disorders, heart failure, or liver disease, can cause oedema in the feet. Most of the underlying health issues affect the vital organs, leading to fluid accumulation and imbalance in blood circulation. Due to higher gravity, the accumulated fluid flows down the foot tissues.   
• Medications : Some medications, such as those for blood pressure or to manage pain, can show oedema as a common side effect. Most of these medicines interfere with your body’s fluid and electrolytes, causing an imbalance in fluid retention. It eventually leads to fluid buildup and reduces proper blood flow in the tissues of the feet.
• Injuries : Any kind of foot or ankle injury can cause swelling due to inflammation and fluid buildup. This type of oedema is known as injury-induced inflammation, as your body sends fluids and white blood cells to the affected area to initiate the healing process. This fluid influx causes swelling and redness in the foot tissues.
• Prolonged Sitting : If you remain standing or sitting for long periods, gravity causes fluid to accumulate in your lower limbs, which can result in swelling. During prolonged standing or sitting, the pressure of blood against your leg veins makes it harder for blood to flow back to your heart. Additionally, the valves in your veins help stop blood from flowing backwards.

What to Drink to Reduce Swelling in the Feet?

Drinking plenty of water is beneficial to reduce swelling in your feet. When you are dehydrated, your body tries to maintain proper fluid balance, contributing to the elimination of excess fluids. However, other options include herbal teas, such as dandelion tea (Mild diuretic effect and limited evidence), ginger tea, and tonic water, which act as anti-diuretics and can also be helpful.

What is the Medicine for Swollen Feet?

Your immune system usually recovers from mild oedema. Additionally, raising the feet or wearing compression garments can help reduce swelling. However, there are certain medicines for oedema, also known as water pills or diuretics, such as furosemide, acetazolamide, amiloride, bumetanide, and spironolactone.

Let us discuss them individually in the following section:

• Bumetanide: Doctors prescribe this to treat fluid retention due to various conditions, such as liver, kidney, or heart diseases.
• Spironolactone: These are best for treating oedema that occurs due to liver cirrhosis, heart failure, and other conditions.
• Amiloride: Doctors prescribe this to treat oedema due to high blood pressure or other underlying issues.
• Furosemide (Lasix): It is a common loop diuretic that manages oedema due to various health issues. It is used only for systemic edema (heart/kidney failure). Not for mild/pregnancy-related swelling.
• Acetazolamide:It prevents excess fluid buildup in your body, specifically in conditions such as heart failure.   

Doctors will provide necessary treatments depending on the cause and severity of oedema. Certain medications help improve blood flow or lymphatic drainage. Additionally, lifestyle changes, such as limiting sodium intake and drinking plenty of water, can reduce swelling in the tissues of your feet.