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The importance of going to the doctor when your feet swell, by Dr. Elena Díaz Guardiola of HLA San Carlos

August 31 from 2018 - 13: 11

Dr. Elena Díaz Guardiola of HLA San Carlos it explains what we should do when our feet swell, the possible causes of this problem and the importance of going to the doctor.

What physiological significance does this problem have?

The accumulation of fluid in the tissues responds to an imbalance in the circulatory system. The human body has created a complex system of interrelation that allows to maintain significant differences in its interior, giving rise to 3 spaces with different characteristics. This balance is maintained thanks to physical, chemical and osmotic mechanisms that, in turn, are integrated with the rest of the systems of the human body. Any alteration in this system is able to facilitate the exit of liquid from inside the blood vessels to the surrounding tissues and, little by little, the quantity of water will increase as in a rice field during the flood season.
How we come to the diagnosis of the disease that is hidden behind the edema

Edema of the lower limbs is a common symptom of consultation in both the Emergency Department and the Consultation. The first thing we should look at is laterality. Thus the unilateral edema indicates a local problem while the one that affects both lower limbs, in most cases, warns of a systemic problem (with involvement of the entire body). In most cases, with the patient's medical history and physical examination, it is sufficient to make a diagnosis of suspicion. With this diagnosis, the necessary complementary tests will be requested to confirm the initial suspicion. There is no standard test that diagnoses edema because it is not a disease in itself, but a symptom. Therefore, in the presence of edema, medical evaluation must be requested.

Why in many cases only your feet swell in the summer?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common cause of edema.

To "return" the blood from the feet to the heart, the human body has developed a series of mechanisms that compensate for the force of gravity, the most significant of which are venous valves. These valves act as floodgates preventing blood from falling back to the feet once the return to the heart begins. Over time, this mechanism becomes insufficient not being able to be compensated by the rest of the "antigravity" mechanisms. The IVC is more frequent from the 50 years and in the female sex. It is initially manifested by visibility of the venous network, feeling tired legs and edema. They are edemas of evening predominance with improvement after the night rest. Initially they are occasional in situations that hinder the venous return such as heat and stand for long periods of time, frequent situations in summer.

This same situation occurs during long days of work. Therefore, in situations of sustained standing, it is important to perform some type of exercise to stimulate the muscles of the calves, thus favoring venous return. Walking is the simplest and most effective exercise.

The importance of going to the doctor

The IVC untreated and left to its natural evolution ends up producing local changes. The fluid, which should be inside the blood vessels, retained in the tissues, hinders the exchange of substances between the blood (which acts as a supply service) and the cell. This, in a sustained manner, determines an impoverishment of the tissues that each time have less energy to perform their function. In very advanced cases, the integrity of the skin may be lost, with ulcers that are difficult to heal and risk of infection.

Any change in our body we live, at least, with expectation and we put our warning system in motion.

It is important to have the help of a specialist to identify the underlying problem, perform the necessary diagnostic tests to confirm the condition and establish appropriate therapeutic measures to help you solve the problem, improve the basic situation or, at least, postpone the appearance of complications.
A relationship of trust with your doctor frees a lot of stress and allows you to accept any change in your health and your life habits more peacefully.

Dra. Elena Díaz Guardiola

Contact Hospital San Carlos Grupo HLA

Nancy Street, 3-5
966 470 162
Only by appointment: 965 17 47 37
Appointment by Whatsapp: 679144005
From Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 20 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m. (General medicine and nursing). Emergencies in Hospital San Carlos Dénia.
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hospitalsancarlos.es
HLAGHospital Group
"Salud"
1 Comment
  1. Karin Lotz says:

    Good afternoon,
    I want a date with dr. Elena days Guardiola - I have problems with my “Venen”.
    Please call me
    Karin Lotz
    634314977


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