Have you ever found yourself wondering why the tops of your feet or the sides of your ankles look puffy at the end of a long day? This is a normal and common occurrence in anyone who spends at least one-third of the day, or longer, on their feet. There are many reasons why you might expect your feet or ankles to experience some normal but minor swelling at the end of the day:
Spending a long period of time standing
Working a sedentary job
Staying seated most of the day
Walking long distances throughout the day
Being overweight or out of shape
Your shoes are unsupportive or too tight
Consuming more sodium than normal
You are currently pregnant
While these are some examples of when to expect normal but minor swelling in your feet or ankles, it’s important to take note of when and how often you notice the swelling. When should you be concerned?
Your body weight is considered ‘morbidly obese’
You notice swelling after tripping or injuring your foot or ankle
Your feet or ankles are swollen upon waking up
You don’t see any improvement with rest or elevation
You experience pain or discomfort in conjunction with the swelling
When you consider these risk factors and warning signs, be sure to take note of them and mention any other issues you have experienced when you meet with Dr. Michele Kurlanski. At Lighthouse Foot & Ankle Center, we have several tools and resources to help identify how and why you’re experiencing swelling in your feet and ankles. That even includes a convenient in-office store with supplies to aid you in reducing your swelling! Call us today at 207-774-0028 to schedule your appointment.