Swelling in the feet, ankles, or lower legs can be very common in the summer. The higher temperatures tend cause water loss from the body and dehydration can occur. As a result, your body actually starts to retain water to try to fix the loss. Below are some simple tips to keep the fluid out of your feet and if they do not work, definitely get it checked out by a physician as it could be a sign of something more serious.
- DRINK LOTS AND LOTS OF WATER! It sounds counter intuitive but if you can replenish the H20 that your body has lost, it will stop retaining the fluid. Even if you don’t like the taste of water, freshen it up with some lemons, limes, or mint leaves and force it down.
- Keep track of how much water you are drinking. There are a lot of new apps you can use on your phone to make it easier or do it the old fashioned way-write it down!
- Keep the caffeine low. Caffeine dehydrates the body. If you need your morning coffee, make sure you drink one cup of water for every one cup of caffeinated beverage to counteract it.
- Elevate your feet. When you get home from work, prop those legs up. Take a load off! You can also sleep with some pillows under your legs and feet.
- Try over the counter compression socks or stockings. They are socks that are a little bit tighter so if you put them on first thing in the morning you can prevent the fluid from collecting in your legs. Make sure to take them off at night. You can get these at any pharmacy or surgical supply store. Even Marshalls has them now!
- Move around! Walking or swimming can get swelling out of the feet and legs by getting those muscles pumping which helps pump the fluid back up to the heart.
