Swollen feet in men or swollen feet or oedema is the medical term for fluid buildup – it can affect any part of the body, but it most often appears in the legs or feet. And Dr. Stephen Lamm, medical director of the Men’s Health Center at Preston Tech Complex in New York, explains that swelling of the feet that appears on middle-aged men and young adults does not usually cause any concern, as it may be the result of some factors that affect the feet and make them swell. Here are some of the reasons that make the feet swollen in men.
What are the causes of swollen feet in men?
1- Swollen feet in men and not exercising enough
Doing physical exercise can help you move your body better. And it’s not just about going to the gym, but you can also do some light exercise at home from time to time during the day. And a sedentary or constant lifestyle is very harmful to health in general and to the legs in particular, as it affects the blood circulation, which leads to swelling and swelling of your feet.
To reduce swelling in your feet, you should do some simple exercises such as walking or even stretching exercises throughout the day. Doing these exercises after sitting for a long time throughout the day helps you to get rid of swollen feet significantly.
2- You eat a lot of salt and its relationship to swollen feet in men
Doctor Lam explains that eating salty meals or adding a lot of salt to your food can cause water retention in the body, and this may lead to swelling of the legs, ankles and feet. He stresses that in addition to the fact that salty food can make us feel bloated in the abdomen, reducing the amounts of salt you eat daily can help reduce swelling of the feet as well.
3- You suffer from a sprained ankle
One of the most common reasons why your feet swell and swell is because you have had an ankle sprain. This swelling and swelling is a sign of the body’s rapid response to the injury. Dr. Clifford L. Ging, MD, medical director of the Foot and Ankle Institute at Mercy Medical Center, says rest and physical therapy exercises are the best solutions to treat swollen feet in this case. You can also rely on some medications that the doctor may prescribe to get rid of bloating as soon as possible.
4- You are taking a new medicine
New drugs — including some high blood pressure medications and other prescription medications — can make feet swollen. If you have just started taking a new medication and you develop symptoms of swollen feet after that, the medication may be causing it. Therefore, it is best to talk to the attending physician to change the medication or reduce the dose to get rid of swollen feet .
5- Hot weather and swollen feet in men
The feet usually swell during hot weather and high temperatures, because the veins expand to cool the body. This process can cause blood to leak into the surrounding tissues, causing fluid to collect in the ankles and feet.
Always try to keep your body cool and not be exposed to hot weather for long periods if this causes your feet to swell. Drinking plenty of water can also help you hydrate your body adequately to combat swollen feet.
6- Infection may be the cause of swollen feet in men
The infection can cause swollen feet and ankles. People with diabetes have an increased risk of infection affecting their feet, so they should be alert for any changes that occur in this part of the body such as the appearance of sores or superficial or deep wounds.
7- If you are traveling on a long trip, whether in the plane or car
Dr. Lamm says that when you’re on a long trip, the veins in your feet don’t work effectively to get the blood back into the heart. This is caused by your posture as sitting with your legs dangling for a long time causes less muscle contraction, which helps return blood to the heart. You also put pressure on the veins in the legs, which reduces blood flow.
To prevent or reduce swelling during long trips, it is important to stand for a while and move around a little if possible. You can walk around during long trips once every hour or two, and you can also wear compression stockings that help reduce swelling significantly.
When do you go to the doctor?
Most cases of swollen feet go away without treatment or medical care, and some home remedies and lifestyle changes can help reduce the swelling effectively.
If swelling in the feet does not improve or decreases after several days, or is painful or localized in one leg, it is best to speak to a doctor immediately as this may indicate a larger health problem. And in the event of swelling in the legs along with shortness of breath or chest pain, you should go to the emergency immediately.