Swollen Feet: Causes, Relief, and When to See a Doctor

Bilateral foot/ankle swelling (pedal edema) has many causes. Self-care for mild, benign cases:

• Elevate legs above heart 30 min, 3–4×/day.
• Compression stockings (15–20 mmHg).
• Reduce sodium (<2.3 g/day).
• Move regularly; avoid prolonged sitting/standing.
• Cool compresses/Epsom salt soaks for comfort.

Seek immediate care if swelling is accompanied by:

• Pain, tenderness, redness, warmth (DVT, cellulitis)
• Shortness of breath, orthopnea (heart failure)
• Unilateral sudden swelling (DVT)
• Fever (infection)
• Medication-induced (e.g., calcium channel blockers, NSAIDs)

Underlying causes: heart/kidney/liver disease, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, medications, pregnancy, obesity. Diagnosis guides targeted treatment.