Swollen feet - active measures

Swollen feet are a problem that many people encounter and, in the majority of cases, there is no underlying problem or cause that requires special treatment.

Several factors can contribute to swollen feet and the common ones include standing, walking or running for extended periods of time. However most people will find that as the day progresses their feet become slightly larger and this can be more pronounced in the summer, or when in a warm environment. In the great majority of cases this is quite normal and it is caused by fluid reacting to gravity and travelling to the lowest point in the body – the feet.

More concerning causes of swollen feet can be those that follow a trauma of some kind, but these will usually have an obvious explanation, e.g. like twisting an ankle, and in these instances medical attention should be sought.

Dealing with swollen feet

Although having feet that swell up during the day may not be a medical cause for concern, it can still result in discomfort, especially when wearing shoes that nip and bite. Some approaches that may alleviate this discomfort include.

Active measures

Raising the feet above the level of the body for 10 or 15 minutes by lying on one's back. This reverses the gravitational effect that caused the swelling and will normally provide fairly rapid relief.

Reducing salt intake and increasing the consumption of liquids, primarily water.

Trying to avoid standing (and even sitting in a fixed position) for long periods of time will reduce foot swelling. Exercise will also improve circulation and prevent liquid from pooling in the lower extremities of the body.

Prevention using footwear

In addition to taking active measures to reduce swollen feet you can also use footwear and, since avoiding standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time may not always be possible, good footwear can be invaluable.

Firstly, the wearing of support socks (or stockings) can significantly reduce swelling. These support socks come in different lengths, sizes and degrees of elastication and they can be highly effective. They are also worth wearing when travelling for long durations, e.g. in a car or on an aircraft.

Secondly, wearing shoes that can easily be adjusted for width will help. The ideal shoes will have hook and loop (Velcro) fasteners that can be tightened or loosened in two or three positions down the collar. This type of shoes can be adjusted as your feet expand or contract.

Thirdly, buying shoes that have a wide fitting can provide that extra space across the width of the shoe. This is where extra space is required and wide fit shoes can offer a looser fitting in the very area where the discomfort is normally based.

Finally, buying high quality shoes that have plenty of flexible padding and good ventilation will help to keep the feet cool whilst allowing them to expand.

Combining a shoe with multiple Velcro fasteners, wide-width-fitting, good ventilation and well padded and cushioned inners will offer the best of all worlds and should significantly ease the discomfort of swollen feet.