Why are Your Feet Swollen?
By Sara Butler
Your feet are some of the hardest working parts of the body. They take a beating each and every day, helping you to walk, run, stand, jump, and support your body weight. They’re made up of 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons as well as 26 bones. The feet are pretty complicated – and all the action they see can cause a lot of wear and tear. If you’re having problems with your feet, such as swelling, then these may be some of the reasons why.
You Sit or Stand for Too Long
People who work on their feet all day such as nurses and restaurant workers often leave work feeling as if their shoes are too tight. The reason for this is that the muscle in the legs and feet don’t contract when standing all day, reducing blood flow in the feet and causing fluid retention.
On the flip side, people who sit all day can also experience swelling but for a bit of different reason. The inaction of sitting all day reduces blood flow, too, triggering swelling and causing shoes to feel tight. If you sit in a cross-legged position, then the blood vessels can pinch and make the problem that much worse.
Usually, this type of swelling isn’t a cause for alarm but you should be moving around and stretching if you stand or sit for long periods of time.
Too Much Salt
Sodium is a huge culprit in the dietary world when it comes to retaining water. If you have too much salt, then your feet can swell. The American Heart Associate recommends that you eat less than 2,300 grams of sodium a day. That may sound like a lot but in reality, it’s only about one and a half teaspoons per day.
The key to avoiding too much salt is avoiding processed foods. Sodium is used as a preservative in these foods, which makes it difficult to spot on the ingredients list. Stay away from frozen meals, salad dressing, canned soups, and processed deli meat – those are often the biggest offenders!
You Have Heart Problems
A side effect of heart issues can be swollen feet. When the heart isn’t working as it should, then the blood backs up in the veins and leads to the buildup of fluid. If you experience swelling of the feet along with shortness of breath and water retention, then you need to see a medical professional for an evaluation.
If you're concerned about swelling in your feet, make sure to discuss it with the chiropractor at The Joint!
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.