Causes of Swelling in the Feet

Swelling, or edema, in the ankles and the feet could be due to serious health problems. A variety of causes of lower extremity swelling should be investigated by a physician to prevent complications associated with an underlying and treatable health disorder.
Kidney Failure
Individuals with intermittent or persistent swelling in the ankles and feet may be experiencing kidney failure due to uncontrolled diabetes, dehydration, severe high blood pressure, obstruction that blocks urine flow and autoimmune disorders. Other causes of kidney failure include hemorrhage, shock, sepsis (infection in the bloodstream), injury or severe trauma and major surgery. Swelling in the lower extremities occurs when the kidneys cannot keep up with filtering waste products from the body, causing fluid retention. Acute kidney failure may be life-threatening.
Poor Circulation
Vascular disease, such as peripheral artery disease and severe varicose veins, can lead to ankle and foot swelling, especially with prolonged standing or sitting. Causes of peripheral artery disease include smoking, plaque buildup from high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure. Poor circulation from disease in the veins is known as chronic venous insufficiency. Other symptoms include intermittent pain with walking, feelings of "heaviness" in the extremities and coolness to touch in the feet. In severe cases the feet can become a dusky color indicating impaired blood flow that could indicate a clot has formed from pooling (stagnation) of blood flow.
Thrombophlebitis
Inflammation of the superficial or deep veins in the legs can cause swelling. Foot and ankle swelling brought about by thrombophlebitis is the result of trauma to the vein, often from a direct blow. Individuals with blood clotting disorders can have thrombophlebitis. In addition to swelling, the condition causes pain to the touch, redness and warmth over the affected area.
Lifestyle
Wearing ill fitting shoes and socks with elastic that constrict circulation can cause the feet and ankles to swell. Other lifestyle factors causing fluid retention and impaired circulation in the lower extremities include consuming too much salt, obesity and lack of exercise. Diabetics are especially prone to poor circulation, making proper footwear a primary focus to prevent swelling, which can lead to ulcers and amputation.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is caused by a bacterial infection that can affect the skin of the legs and ankles. Swelling in the feet and ankles accompanied by warmth, fever, blistering, rash and pain require evaluation and treatment that should not be delayed. Infection from cellulitis can spread throughout the body, causing serious illness.
Medications
Commonly used medications to treat high blood pressure, known as calcium channel blockers, can cause ankle and foot swelling that is not dangerous. Swelling can extend to the thighs or affect the entire leg. Hormones and steroids, as well as antidepressants, known as MAO inhibiors, also can cause fluid retention with resultant foot and ankle swelling.

If patients have other symptoms or discomforts besides feet swelling such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, chest pain, it is recommended to see a doctor and seek proper treatment as soon as possible according to the underlying cause.

Kidney Failure Causes and Risk Factors

What causes acute renal failure?
Acute renal failure has three main causes:
· A sudden, serious drop in blood flow to the kidneys. Heavy blood loss, an injury, or a bad infection called sepsis can reduce blood flow to the kidneys. Not enough fluid in the body (dehydration) also can harm the kidneys.
· Damage from some medicines, poisons, or infections. Most people don't have any kidney problems from taking medicines. But people who have serious, long-term health problems are more likely than other people to have a kidney problem from medicines. Examples of medicines that can sometimes harm the kidneys include:
Antibiotics, such as gentamicin and streptomycin.
Pain medicines, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Some blood pressure medicines, such as ACE inhibitors.
The dyes used in some X-ray tests.
· A sudden blockage that stops urine from flowing out of the kidneys.Kidney stones, a tumor, an injury, or an enlarged prostate gland can cause a blockage.
You have a greater chance of getting acute renal failure if:
· You are an older adult.
· You have a long-term health problem such as kidney or liver disease, diabetes,high blood pressure, heart failure, or obesity.
· You are already very ill and are in the hospital or intensive care (ICU). Heart or belly surgery or a bone marrow transplant can make you more likely to havekidney failure.
Risk factors
Acute kidney failure usually occurs in connection with another medical condition or event. Most people who experience acute kidney failure are already in the hospital for other reasons. Conditions that increase your risk of acute kidney failure include:
· advanced age
· bladder outlet obstruction
· chronic infection
· diabetes
· heart failure
· high blood pressure
· immune disorders ( lupus, IgA nephropathy and scleroderma)
· kidney diseases
· liver diseases
· prostate gland enlargement
· shock of any kind that causes decrease blood flow through the body

· various blood disorders

Foot Cramp in Stage 4 Kidney Failure

Leg cramp also can be called charley horses and refers to the involuntary muscle contractions that occur in the calves or soles of the feet. Kidney Failure can be a cause of leg cramp, but it is not the only cause in clinic. Here, we will mainly explain how kidney failure cause leg cramp.
Foot cramp Kidney Failure can be caused by a number of possible causes including:
-Low levels of potassium: Potassium deficiency may trigger leg cramp in stage 4 kidney failure. If swelling occurs, diuretic medicines may be used to help the removal of fluid from body. The use of diuretic medicine is very likely to lower the level of potassium in body. In addition, diarrhea can be an attributable factor.
-Poor blood flow: If you are a diabetic, you may have experience poor blood flow,especially in extremities.Uncontrolled blood sugar level is the major culprit of poor blood flow in Diabetes.
-Low levels of calcium:As the levels of phosphorus in blood increase,more calcium will be pulled out of bones. Low levels of calcium in body can result in cramps in foot, leg etc.
How to alleviate leg cramp with kidney failure?
-Potassium Balanced Diet.
- If you are taking any medicine not prescribed by a doctor, stop taking it. Talk to your doctor if you think you need to continue taking the medicine.

- Take a warm shower or bath to relax the muscle. A heating pad placed on the muscle can also help.