Some liver disorders can lead to low blood levels of a protein called albumin, which is produced in the liver. Low albumin levels cause fluid to enter the tissues in the blood, causing not only the legs and feet to swell, but also other parts of the body, such as hands and face. When you stand a lot, gravity draws blood into the veins in your legs and part of the water in the blood enters the tissues of your legs and feet, causing them to swell. But there are also some conditions that can cause similar swelling because they affect the movement of fluids in the body. Albumin is a protein that helps stop blood leakage from blood vessels.
Most of this fluid is collected through a drainage pipe system, similar to blood vessels, called the lymphatic system. Lymph edema is swelling resulting from the accumulation of lymph in the limbs if the fluid is not properly drained. Not changing position for a long time can cause swelling. Exercise helps pump fluid and blood to and from your limbs.
A professional can assess the severity of the damage and treat it accordingly. Even if you can treat your injury at home, a medical evaluation can give you peace of mind that you are doing Foot Doctor West Los Angeles California what it takes to get a good cure. Swelling of the foot is characterized by an accumulation of fluid in the foot. A collection of excess fluid all over the body is known as edema.
Among the many changes the body undergoes during pregnancy, swollen feet and ankles are perhaps the most common. Hormonal changes and extra pressure on the veins can also contribute to swollen ankles during pregnancy. Your kidneys are bean-shaped organs that filter your blood and help regulate blood pressure. Diabetes and high blood pressure can affect kidney function, resulting in impaired electrolyte balance in the blood that can lead to fluid retention. Gravity draws excess water down in your body so that the lower legs and feet can swell.
Cirrhosis of the liver means that you have developed scars, perhaps from hepatitis or from drinking too much alcohol for too many years. This causes high blood pressure in the veins entering the liver, which can cause swelling in both the legs and feet, but also in the abdomen . Cirrhosis also disrupts the production of a protein called albumin, another factor that contributes to the swelling of the foot. Treatment for swollen feet and ankles depends on the underlying cause.
This swelling is due to excess fluid in the tissues, often caused by congestive heart failure or blockage in a vein in the leg. Blood clots that form in the veins in the legs can stop the backflow of blood from the legs to the heart and cause swelling in the ankles and feet. Deep clots can block one or more of the major veins in the legs.
These blood clots can be life-threatening when released and travel to the heart and lungs. If you have swelling in your leg along with pain, low fever and possibly a change in the color of the affected leg, call your doctor immediately. Medicines, namely diuretics and lifestyle measures such as limiting salt, can help with symptoms, including swelling of the feet. While reducing the amount of swelling in the legs or abdomen will not help improve your liver, it can facilitate movement and breathing. Always do this under the care of your doctor, because people with liver failure should slowly remove excess water. For example, standing or walking at both feet can cause light and temporary edema.
Pumping your feet and rolling your ankles are good exercises to prevent deep vein thrombosis, a dangerous condition that causes swelling of the feet and legs. Exercises are good to do if you are on a long car or plane trip and you cannot easily get up and move. Blood travels back to the heart using one-way valves in the veins that help the forward movement of blood.