For the last 2 days I have had swelling in my legs and feet and my eyelids have been swollen. What could be the cause of it? I have not been diagnosed with High Blood pressure before, but it has been

Swollen ankles, feet and legs, referred to medically as edema,

Edema can be caused by a serious condition of the kidney, heart, liver or blood vessels, but many other factors can contribute to its onset, including:

• Eating a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates
• Abusing laxatives
• Abusing diuretics
• Abusing drugs
• Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills
• Pregnancy and PMS
• Sodium retention
• varicose veins and history of phlebitis
• Allergic reactions
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Trauma

Initially, the feet, ankles and legs will appear swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling will set in first thing in the morning and continue to worsen throughout the day. Long-term edema causes pitting: When you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area. Continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.

• Increase muscle activity with walking.
• Avoid standing in place for long period of time.
• Avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
• Limit salt intake.
• Do not abuse diuretics, but a short-term course may be helpful.
• Do not abuse laxatives.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy if possible.
• Use a compressions pump to help fluid return to the blood vessels.

answered by C

I need to know your age. What kind of diet you are on, do you take any medications, have you traveled out of the country recently, etc....

The symptoms sound like kidney dysfunction, but I cannot be sure because I have so little of your life story and circumstances.

Take Care and get medically checked out with your local Naturopathic Physician.

Bonnie Marsh, ND

answered by B M