It can be disconcerting to look down at your feet and ankles and almost wonder if they are truly yours!

They may look swollen or puffy, and the skin may look stretched and shiny. You might even see some pitting in the swollen area.

This swelling in the lower extremities, also known as peripheral edema, can be an uncomfortable condition. It may even interfere with your ease of movement and bring on other detrimental symptoms as well.

Edema can be especially concerning to those who live with diabetes. It is often related to conditions that can slow and impede wound healing, and the presence of swelling itself can also significantly interfere with this process. If you have diabetes, you ideally want to keep swelling in the feet and ankles to a minimum.

To best do so, it helps to understand just what is going on when your feet and ankles swell up.

What Can Be Done About Edema?

The primary course of action should be addressing the underlying conditions that are contributing to your edema. This includes proper management of diabetes and related conditions.

Our podiatry practice is well equipped to help with matters affecting circulation, as we possess our own vascular screening lab staffed by a cardiologist.

When it comes to relieving the symptoms of edema itself, we can certainly help you develop a plan that will work best for your individual needs and lifestyle. It may include many things you can often take care of easily at home, such as:

• Exercise. Combatting inactivity and increasing circulation can help reduce fluid retention and swelling in your feet and ankles. Exercise is a very important element in many diabetic management plans, but it should be carefully considered and planned to reduce your risk of injury. Exercise does not always have to be intense, either. Even taking a short walk every hour or so can have a positive effect.
• When not moving, keeping your feet elevated can help reduce or prevent fluid retention. This can be as simple as keeping them propped up on pillows or in a reclining chair. If you want to get fancier, however, you might also consider yoga poses that focus on lower limb elevation.
• A pair of good compression socks are a good investment for just about everyone, but can be especially effective for those who suffer from frequent swelling. There is such a thing as getting compression socks that are too tight, however, so either start off light or let us help you determine a good pressure for you to start with.
• Epsom salt soaking. A soak in a bath filled with Epsom salt can help soothe some of the discomfort that can accompany edema. Always be careful to gauge the temperature of any water with your hands if you have a lack of sensation in your feet.
• More water, less salt. Excess salt can increase fluid retention while, counterintuitively, drinking more water can actually reduce retention. You should always ensure you are receiving a reasonable water intake, regardless.