When the weather gets hot my feet and ankles swell. Has anyone come across anything that works. I've tried diuretics - didn't help much. Thanks.
Gloria from Saslatcjewam
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Absolutely see your doctor. This can indicate a number of health problems from circulatory to cardiac. You want to have things ruled out.
I had a deep-vein thrombosis in my left thigh back in 2000. New veins had to form and that caused swelling so I've been wearing compression socks for quite awhile. No swelling anymore.
Over the counter diuretics really don't work. If the problem is really bothering you, see your doctor. There are some home remedies that have worked for others. Dandelion and other herbal teas sometimes work. Get it from a health food store. Also a mixture of Epsom Salt and water. I believe the recipe is on the side of the carton. Stay away from table salt and watch the sodium that is in foods. Drink water. lots of it!! More than you think you need.
I have that problem with swollen feet and ankles and I saw my Dr about it and take a diuretic (it is very cheap even if you have no insurance, like me). But honestly the best thing you can do is get up and move. Exercise. Even if it is light or moderate walking. The movement of your muscles is what will help work the fluid from your tissues.
You could have high blood pressure. That will cause swelling in feet and ankles. You can even get your prescriptions for $4 for the month. Your doctor will check you out and keep tabs for a few months to see how the medication is working.
Please, please take the time to see your doctor. I too was experiencing this same problem and even took to wearing compression socks to help ward off the swelling. One morning I was awakened suddenly out of a sound sleep having difficulty breathing or even getting a slight breath. After a couple of hours of it not getting better and believing I might be heading towards a heart attack I called for an ambulance and was taken to the ER. After being seen by several doctors the decision to admit me to the hospital for further tests was made.
The diagnosis in the end was Congestive Heart Failure and after three days of direct injections of Lasix they removed a total of 10 pounds of fluid from my body and I felt 100% better. I am now on Lasix and have only occasional bouts of swelling in my ankles but no where near what I was getting before.
It might be a good idea to see the doctor about this, especially since we have universal health care. However, if you don't feel that this is very serious, there are some things that you can try. When I was pregnant, I retained water, and I had to cut all salt and sodium out of my diet. You would be surprised at all the things that had salt -- diet pop, anything with baking soda, salad dressings, soups, all sorts of stuff. I ate a lot of chicken cooked in a slow cooker and strawberries and cream (I was pregnant -- people eat weird things then) When I was in the hospital, although they maintained that they used no salt, my feet puffed up a lot.
Think about how your feet swell on a long car ride -- so when you sit, elevate your feet, and walk a lot.
Some foods are natural diuretics, but I can't remember off hand which ones. These could help, and you could likely look this up on the internet, or perhaps someone on this site knows. I am thinking rhubarb was one. I am not thinking of odd things that are difficult to get -- like some sort of obscure herbal tea -- but just regular fruits or veggies.
I just saw on another old post that cucumbers and watermelon, pineapple and ginger are natural diuretics. Cucumbers and watermelon are easy to get at this time of year. Couldn't hurt!
Please see you physician immediately and insist on tests. My mother played around with this for months before telling her physician that the diuretics he prescribed were not helping, and her legs and ankles were red and painful. (He kept telling her it was just the hot and humid weather. She believed he knew what he was doing.) It ended up being phlebitis. She died shortly after; that lack of early intervention/treatment was directly related to her death.
Thanks for all the concern. I have seen a doctor.
My feet only swell in the summer when the temperature reaches about 30C (90F). Been going on for years. Mostly just uncomfortable. I have used a product called KB from a health food store and extra potassium - helped a bit. Anyway thanks for the concern.
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May I have some tips for swollen ankles and feet? I don't know what causes this but it can be very painful. It is the tops of my feet that get really bad. Thanks for any advice.
You don't give your age or any other details but swollen feet can indicate a number of different conditions, some of which are serious. My advice is to see your doctor. (06/20/2005)
By Seagrape
Too much salt (sodium) in your diet and not enough water could do it. Hate to say it but more serious problems would cause it too. I agree with the other folks, see a physician if you decrease your salt and increase the water and that doesn't help.
Blessings! (07/11/2005)
By peggygv
Sometimes peoples feet and ankles swell from the heat or sitting too long. I used to get swollen ankles some when sitting too long. Then I had my legs swelling when we took a very long flight and had delays and such. I saw my Dr. and he said I was retaining fluid so I take a water pill. I also take something for high pulse and high blood pressure. I don't seem to ever have the problem anymore but I try not to sit too long at a time at the computer and have my legs dangling. Your best bet is to see the Dr. and hopefully you have by now! (09/02/2006)
