Water in your feet

introduction

Water in the feet is a complex phenomenon that can be triggered by a wide variety of causes. Harmless processes can cause water in the feet, but it is not uncommon for a serious illness to be behind it. Of the medical term means for water in the tissue edema.

To understand how edema occurs, one must briefly look at the transport routes of body water. At Adult is the Water content approx. 65% the body weight and is found mainly in the cells of the body and in the blood, which consists of around 50% water. The water is transported through the vascular system to all places in the body and, as it were, pressed out of the capillaries to supply the cells. Excess water is in turn over the veins or the Lymphatic vessels transported away. If the pressure in the vessel is too high or if the transport is disturbed, water passes into the tissue. Water in the feet can be caused on the one hand by local processes that take place on the foot, on the other hand there are also general phenomena that lead to water in the feet.

causes

The cause of the development of water in the feet is always either too high a pressure in the blood vessel, so that more water is pressed into the tissue, or a disturbed removal via the veins or lymph. A too weakly pumping right ventricle makes it difficult for the blood to flow back to the heart, which then collects on the arms and legs. Together with the Gravitythat pulls the water down while standing, it creates water in the feet.

Also are Diseases of the leg veinswhere the veins are congested or blocked (Leg veinthrombosis), the cause of foot edema. Impaired kidney function can also occur Water in the legs as the body cannot excrete excess water. It is also not uncommon for pregnant women to complain of water in their feet.

A range of drugs (Cortisone, Calcium channel blockers) can cause swelling of the feet as a side effect. Furthermore, malignant diseases such as cancer can damage the lymph vessels, which also results in water in the feet.

Symptoms

Water in the feet is a common symptom. It is primarily noticeable as a swelling on the foot, most of the time strongest in the ankle area is pronounced. It can be unilateral or bilateral, depending on the cause. The tissue can swell so much that it becomes uncomfortable Feeling of tension occurs over the skin. Water in the feet, on the other hand, does not cause pain.

The swelling is initially noticeable because the clothing on the foot becomes tighter and the Shoes no longer fit. It is typical for water in the feet that one can get a Dent which only slowly regresses. The swelling is usually more pronounced in the evening or after standing for a long time due to the greater pressure in the vessel due to gravity.

diagnosis

You can quickly recognize water in your feet by its typical signs such as Swelling and indentability without pain. An inspection and palpation of the affected area is usually sufficient.

It is all the more important to find the cause of the edema during diagnostics. To do this, you have to ask whether the swelling is worse in certain situations and whether there are triggers. First of all, all of the possibilities mentioned under causes come into consideration.

If the reason is not clear from the medical history or pregnancy, heart and kidney examinations may need to be arranged. The veins in the leg should also be considered.

In the case of malignant disease, imaging tests are like a CT or MRI as well as special Blood tests required.

therapy

The therapy of water in the feet is divided into two aspects. On the one hand, the cause should be found and treated as soon as possible, which will fight the edema at the root. Second, there are a number of measures that can alleviate the symptoms and reduce the extent.

These include e.g. specific Massage techniquesthat push the water out of the tissue. Also Compression stockings or special bandages support the drainage. In stubborn cases, a doctor can call it Diuretics prescribe, which attach to the kidney and promote the excretion of body water.

forecast

The prognosis of water in the feet is strong depending on the cause. The symptoms of pregnancy, after childbirth or during the menopause usually resolve on their own.

In the case of an underlying possibly systemic disease such as Heart failure or cancer correlates the occurrence of water in the feet with the success of the treatment of the disease. The edema may disappear completely; in other difficult-to-treat cases, the water in the feet may persist. However, the extent and level of suffering can often be kept within reasonable limits.

prophylaxis

To prevent water in your feet is a healthy lifestyle very helpful. More regular Sports trains the heart, circulation and blood vessels, which are often the cause of swelling. Also good for strengthening the leg veins are cold step baths. In order to prevent the recurrence of water in the feet, they are also suitable for therapy Compression stockings or bandages. These are also useful during and after pregnancy.

However, due to the wide variety of causal diseases, it is difficult to give general recommendations on the prophylaxis of water in the feet. Nevertheless, the most important prophylactic measures can be summarized in one sentence: rather walk and lie than stand and sit.

Water in the feet after giving birth

After the birth, the mothers have more water in their feet. But this is a common phenomenonwhich has no pathological significance. Mothers who have been during the Pregnancy edema have a higher risk of suffering from it after giving birth. In some, it appears again after birth. The complaints can sometimes last for weeks.

causes

Much of the water in the feet is stirring still from pregnancy here.

Another cause after giving birth is simply that limited mobility. After giving birth, many mothers sit in bed or on the edge of the bed for a long time instead of moving. This is done by hormonal changes the blood becomes more viscous, which makes it difficult for the blood to return. Then legs and feet get fat. In addition, the risk of thrombosis is increased.

diagnosis

Certain diagnostic steps should only be taken if a manifest thrombosis develops in the leg, which is what one is supposed to do Pain, Redness and one burning sensation notices.

therapy

The main way to nip the discomfort of water in your foot in the bud is Move. You should get up as soon as possible after giving birth. Running promotes venous return through muscle contraction, which leads to swelling. Bandages or support stockings help. Medication should be used if the symptoms persist for a long time.

Water in the feet during pregnancy

Water in the feet is also a common side effect during pregnancy. The swelling is particularly noticeable on the ankles and toes, but without any further symptoms it is of no disease value.

Read more on the topic: Edema in pregnancy

causes

They divorce during pregnancy Kidneys automatically less salts and therefore waterto increase the amount of blood and thus be able to provide for the child. This also increases the amount that has to flow back from the feet. This mechanism is overwhelmed when there is water in the feet. Then there is the one caused by pregnancy increased pressure in the abdomen, which compresses the upper veins and thus further complicates the venous return flow.The return transport processes are exhausted and water escapes into the tissue in the feet. Also the increased one Estrogen levels promotes the development of edema.

therapy

The use of Medication is very reluctant indicated so as not to expose the baby to unnecessary danger during pregnancy. Simple measures like adequate exercise and little standing help reduce the water in the feet. It makes sense, feet up when lying down to store. In addition, compression stockings support the outflow of blood. It is still important to drink enough and eat a balanced diet.

Water in your feet - what to do?

If you have water in your feet, most people ask: what to do? Of course, that depends on the cause; for simple complaints, there are a number of sensible measures to take. First is Move the be-all and end-all of what you can do with water in your feet. The combination with cold like in one Treading pool improves the decongestant effect. Compressive stockings or associations are a good support. When lying down, it is advisable to put your feet up. At the same time you should drink enough, as the kidneys excrete less water when thirsty.

What should you definitely do if serious illnesses are the cause? Then a visit to the doctor is recommended.

Water in the feet in cancer

Water is also found in the feet of some patients with cancer.

causes

Lymph nodes are also removed during operations to cure cancer. The disadvantage here is that the lymph can no longer flow out of the areas supplied by the lymph nodes and thus builds up. There is water in the feet, a lymphedema.

Radiation in the leg area as part of radiation therapy can also cause edema or lymphatic vessels are inflamed and therefore inoperable.

In cancer, the water is only found on the side that was treated, whereas other causes always occur on both sides.

Read more about the topic here: Lymphedema.

Dignosis

Since the history of the disease is known in cancer patients, there is no need to diagnose the edema. It makes sense Foot circumference or swelling over time to document.

therapy

The usual therapy for water in the feet also helps in patients with cancer. compression of the foot, Move and high camp have a decongestant effect. In addition, there are specially trained Physiotherapiststhat in oncological patients Lymph massages carry out. The water is practically pushed out of the affected area.

Water in the feet for thyroid disease

The thyroid is an important organ in order to keep the metabolic situation of a person in balance with the help of the thyroid hormones (T3, T4). Certain thyroid diseases can also cause water in the feet. More precisely, this is not about water, but about protein-sugar compounds. Colloquially, however, people often speak of water in their feet.

causes

A underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism) often leads to water in the feet. The exact origin is not completely clear, but you can see that especially the back of the foot is swollen.

There is an underactive thyroid mostly flammable or through Iodine deficiency conditional, it is seldom innate. The particular form of edema that occurs in these diseases is Myxedema called.

But also with a certain form of Overactive thyroid, the Graves disease, one often sees water in the patient's feet.

diagnosis

There are a number of values ​​and tests that can be used to determine the various Thyroid disease can differentiate well. These include the determination of the thyroid hormones T3, T4, TSH and possibly certain antibodies (TRAK, TPO), as it is often Autoimmune diseases acts. In addition, a Ultrasonic be made. A nuclear medical diagnosis with the help of a Scintigraphy can also be useful in some cases.

therapy

The therapy against the water in the feet is primarily aimed at the triggering disease of the thyroid gland. Is this under control, e.g. With the substitution of hormones, the edema usually regresses. Supportive measures such as compression and high positions help with myxedema only to a limited extent, as it is not just water retention.

Water in the feet during menopause

The phase in a woman's life when the Switch hormones and the woman transfers from fertility to the so-called senium (Latin: age) Menopause called. They occur between the ages of 50 and 70 and are a physiological, normal process. During this time, women report more water in their feet.

root cause

The cause here are the changes in the hormonal balance. During menopause, it comes to one waste from progesterone in the blood, whereas the concentration increases estrogen increases. Similar to pregnancy, this increases the permeability of the vessels, so that water can build up in the feet. Too much weight can speed up the process.

diagnosis

For diagnosis come water in the feet during menopause no special diagnostic means for use. In the case of severe complaints, other causes should of course be ruled out.

therapy

Therapy is limited to treating the symptoms and reducing the water in the feet, as menopause is a natural process. You should make sure you get enough exercise and a good diet. Compressive bandages or stockings can also be used to reduce the discomfort. It brings quick relief if you put your feet up. A specific therapy e.g. with medication is only necessary for long-lasting or severe symptoms.