10 Causes of Swollen Feet & When to See a Doctor

Noticing that your feet and ankles are swollen can be unsettling. While sometimes it’s due to a long day on your feet, in other cases, it might signal a more serious health condition. Since gravity naturally draws bodily fluids to the lower extremities, feet and legs are more prone to swelling than other body parts.

Here’s a look at 10 common causes of swollen feet and when you should be concerned.

1. Standing or Sitting Too Long

✔ If you’ve been on your feet all day or sitting for long hours, fluid can build up in your legs, causing temporary swelling (dependent edema).
✔ Solution: Elevate your feet, wear compression socks, and move around regularly.

2. Too Much Salt in Your Diet

✔ Foods like chips, canned soups, and processed meals contain high sodium, which can cause water retention.
✔ Solution: Reduce salt intake and increase potassium-rich foods like bananas and leafy greens.

3. Injury or Inflammation

✔ Sprains, fractures, and tendonitis often cause painful swelling.
✔ Solution: Use the R.I.C.E method – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation – to reduce swelling and speed up healing.

4. Pregnancy

✔ During pregnancy, fluid retention and increased weight can cause swollen feet.
✔ Warning Sign: Severe swelling with nausea, headaches, or blurred vision may indicate preeclampsia, a serious condition requiring medical attention.

5. PMS & Hormonal Changes

✔ Some women experience fluid retention before their periods.
✔ Solution: Stay hydrated, exercise, and cut back on salty foods.

6. Extra Body Weight

✔ Carrying extra weight puts pressure on blood vessels, leading to swollen feet.
✔ Solution: Even losing 10–20 pounds can improve circulation and reduce swelling.

7. Medication Side Effects

✔ Certain medications (steroids, antidepressants, diabetes drugs, birth control) can cause fluid retention.
✔ Solution: If swelling becomes a concern, discuss alternative options with your doctor.

8. Varicose Veins

✔ Weak veins in the legs cause poor circulation and fluid buildup, leading to swelling.
✔ Solution: Try compression socks, exercise, weight loss, and elevating your legs for 15 minutes daily.

9. Blood Clot (Deep Vein Thrombosis – DVT)

✔ Warning signs: Swelling in one leg, pain, warmth, redness, or difficulty breathing (can signal a clot in the lungs).
✔ When to see a doctor: If you suspect a blood clot, seek emergency care immediately.

10. Heart, Liver, or Kidney Disease

✔ If swelling persists or worsens and is accompanied by fatigue, nausea, chest pain, or breathing issues, it could signal a serious medical condition.
✔ When to see a doctor: Report any sudden, painful, or persistent swelling to a healthcare provider.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical attention if:
✔ Swelling occurs in only one foot
✔ It lasts for more than a few days
✔ It comes with pain, fever, or skin discoloration
✔ Pressing on the swollen area leaves an indentation
✔ It’s accompanied by shortness of breath or chest pain

Swollen feet aren’t always a cause for alarm, but understanding the underlying causes helps you take the right steps for relief or medical care.