Pregnancy is a truly magical period for most women. For others, it’s a struggle to find shoes that fit because of the discomfort caused by edema. And if you aren’t pregnant but are still struggling with obese feet due to pitting edema, you know that finding comfortable footwear is almost impossible.
But what exactly is edema? Can we treat it somehow? And most importantly, where can one find edema footwear? We’ll answer all of your questions in this article.
What Is the General Definition of Edema?
In medical terms, edema is swelling in your body that happens because of injury or inflammation. In our bodies, there are billions of small blood vessels (capillaries) which contain blood. Occasionally, they can leak into tissue nearby, which then builds up. This fluid is then trapped in the tissue and causes swelling.
In general, it’s more common in older adults, and especially pregnant women. As you enter the third trimester, you’ll notice your feet and hands tend to swell. This is quite normal, as it allows your body to prepare for the birthing process.
This condition happens mostly in the skin, but it can also occur in our muscles, lungs, eyes, and even brain. Edema in the feet and ankles is the most common type, but it can affect our hands, arms, and legs as well.
Whereas localized edema affects only a specific body part, such as the feet, generalized edema can be found in most of our organs. In most cases, edema isn’t dangerous and can be treated. However, severe swelling can lead to weeping edema, which should be seen by a doctor.
What are the Causes of Edema?
There are various causes of edema. But before we look into them, remember that edema isn’t transmitted. Moreover, if one of our family members has it, we won’t necessarily get it. Therefore, it doesn’t run in families.
There are several possible causes. Most people who are used to standing or sitting all day can have edema. Warm weather in particular can make it worse. And too much salt in our diet can cause the body to retain water, potentially resulting in edema.
Having liver disease, kidney disease, or thyroid disease can also be a common cause. Plus, edema can also occur as a side effect of a pain, anti-inflammation, or diabetes medication.
Poor nutrition, blood clots, and burns can potentially worsen your edema. Finally, many pregnant women have edema as they enter the third trimester.
What are the Symptoms of Edema?
Symptoms of edema can vary from person to person and depend mostly on the cause. However, most people experience swelling, tightness, and sometimes even pain. Swelling can happen in one area.
On the other hand, in severe cases it can affect the entire body. The skin on the swollen part can be stretched and even appear shiny. Plus, if you press the swollen area for five seconds, you might notice a dimple after removing the fingers from the skin.
Moreover, when you touch skin affected by edema it can be warm. People with the condition may experience puffiness or even aching in certain body parts. Our clothes, shoes, or jewelry might feel tighter.
In some cases, edema can lead to weight gain or even weight loss. In leg edema, a leg can be up to ten pounds heavier than before the condition. Severe forms of edema can cause headaches, vomiting, high blood pressure, and abdominal pain. It isn’t uncommon for sufferers to feel lethargic, confused, or nauseous.
Having problems moving the swollen area or not being able to move at all is also a common symptom. Pulmonary edema can make us cough and reduce oxygen levels in our blood.
In a nutshell, edema symptoms depend on the underlying cause, location, and edema type.
What Treatment is Available for Edema?
To treat edema properly, it’s essential you get to the root of the problem and find out what type of edema you have. While there are treatments the doctor will recommend, you can also take some steps to treat edema.
In general, reducing food rich in salt, monitoring your weight, and cutting down on alcohol and smoking is recommended for everyone struggling with edema.
Based on your type of edema, a specialist will recommend proper treatment. In most cases, this includes taking diuretics, which help your body get rid of the excess fluid through urine. If allergies cause edema, you might simply need to take medications for allergies. Blood thinners can be used to treat a clot, and thus help lessen the symptoms of edema.
Alternatively, if a medication is the cause of edema, you should stop taking it. However, to prevent possible complications, working with a doctor is important.
Does walking help edema? Many people wonder if moving will help lessen the symptoms. To make sure you don’t feel additional pain, you can wear edema socks and shoes for edema feet. These will make the activity much more pleasant. TED socks for edema and compression socks for edema ensure the fluid doesn’t build up in the tissues and control the swelling you’re experiencing.
Furthermore, if you’re used to standing or sitting all day, it’s beneficial to switch between these two positions whenever we can. This will reduce the pressure which is put on the legs. Finally, when lying down or sitting for an extended period, elevating the legs should help as well.
Is Edema the Same as Lymphedema? How Can You Tell Edema from Lymphedema?
Although both edema and lymphedema involve swelling, their causes are different. The excess fluid which builds up in the tissue causes edema. It can be a natural response to an injury, an inflammation, or a medication.
On the other hand, lymphedema happens when there’s too much lymph fluid in the tissue. The amount is more than our lymphatic system can remove, leading to swelling that heals slowly if at all, and it can even cause a serious infection.
Many cancer patients experience lymphedema after the treatment. To prevent its occurrence, you should talk to your doctor.
Finally, while diuretics are often used to treat edema, they can make lymphedema worse. For lymphedema, lymphatic drainage and compression therapy are the best treatment available.
Edema Footwear
Having the appropriate shoes for fat swollen feet can improve your life considerably if you’re struggling with edema. When it’s summer, edema slippers can be beneficial, as hot weather can make the condition more severe. For colder weather, winter shoes for swollen feet will help you move without feeling uncomfortable. In the following section, we’ll show you some highly recommended shoes.
Women’s Edema Slippers
These rather inexpensive slippers not only look good, but they’re also incredibly comfortable. Since they can stretch, they’re wide enough to support swollen feet. Because they’re made of sheepskin, they’re suitable for different kinds of weather. That said, you can wear them when it’s warmer, and your feet won’t sweat.
These shoes have a removable footbed, which you can adjust to suit your feet. They’re also padded, making them quite comfortable. They come in various color options, look nice, and have an incredibly wide toe box. What’s more, since they’re microbial, they prevent odors. These clogs also have a strap to give your ankle solid support while walking.
Edema boots are a necessary addition to your wardrobe for the cold months. Although designed for hiking, there’s plenty of room for swollen feet in these boots. They provide enough spine support when standing and are also comfortable after hours of walking in wet weather. Because of the waterproof lining, your feet will stay dry. Finally, the soles are slip-resistant.
These men’s edema slippers are stylish and come in eight different looks to suit every man’s taste. Made by a renowned brand with a longstanding reputation, these slippers feature thick wool and feel comfortable almost instantly. The insoles are soft and easy on the feet, the tough soles are great for walking on different surfaces, and they provide plenty of support for walking around the house.
Shoes for severe edema shouldn’t feel tight but should have soft cushioning soles that are comfortable while walking or standing for prolonged periods. These shoes feature an improved plush cushioning that’s long-lasting. Suitable for those with swollen feet, they have a spacious toe box.
Edema doesn’t have to stop you from enjoying your favorite activities, such as hiking. Although hiking can be uncomfortable, you may be able to forget about your feet if you’ve got the right boots. These Velcro leather boots can be adjusted to fit any ankle.
Featuring an EVA midsole, they are lightweight yet sturdy. Since they’re designed for men who have foot issues, they’re suitable for long walks, which can help lessen the symptoms of edema.
Edema Socks
There are a number of benefits to wearing edema socks. They can help improve blood circulation and reduce swelling. The way they work is by preventing fluids from building up in certain areas, which can be uncomfortable, and in some cases, even painful. In the next section, we’ll outline the best edema socks to help you make a smart choice.
Copper Compression Running Socks
These socks feature copper fibers, which help improve blood circulation. Designed to improve oxygen levels, they efficiently reduce ankle and foot swelling.
Since they’re padded, they ensure comfort and reduce foot stress. When suffering from edema, your feet may look bigger, which can feel awkward at times. However, these socks wrap tightly around your feet and ankles and make them look slimmer, without being uncomfortable.
Double Couple Compression Socks
Whether you’re experiencing edema due to pregnancy or standing all day at work, wearing socks that provide instant relief to swollen feet is a must. These Double Couple compression socks are suitable for both men and women. And they are also doctor recommended. The advanced compression technology helps improve blood circulation, reduce swelling, and keeps your feet dry at all times.
Physix Gear Sport Compression Socks
Relatively inexpensive, these socks help reduce any kind of swelling, even if you’re sitting for a long period when fluid is bound to build up. The technology they use helps the feet to feel chilled.
And since edema can make areas of body feel warm, this feature is enjoyed by many. They’re comfortable and maintain compression of your legs efficiently. The only drawback is that they’re made of nylon, so you should avoid wearing them in hot weather.
Edema TED Socks
When you’re recovering from lymphatic drainage and you have to stay in bed, wearing socks that prevent blood clots is necessary. Non-ambulatory patients should wear them as long as the doctor recommends promoting healthy blood flow. Here’s our recommendation:
Absolute Support TED Knee-High Socks
In general, TED socks don’t run in larger sizes, but these do. You can get them in a size small all the way up to XXX large. Designed to help patients recover after surgery, they provide support even when lying down. They’re breathable and feel comfortable immediately. Since they’re knee-high, you can lower them if you want to reduce the amount of compression.
