why have my feet and ankles suddenly swollen up?

[suzee1]

my feet and ankles have started to swell up i do sit a lot due to copd my dr has put me on water tablets but there not doing much, has any one any idea what could be causing it? plus can any one out there help with any herbal treatments x

[kira000]

If you are eating more salt than usual, either added to your food or hidden in your food, then this can cause water retention.

Best thing to do is drink plenty of water, and massage your feet and ankles, starting at the toes, and moving up the ankles and legs in slow firm upward strokes. If you use a massage oil, you could add a few drops of lavender, geranium or rosemary, which help.

[tamborine]

press finger into swelling to see if imprint remains? If it does, its water retention. Have you got shortness of breath? See your doc - water tablets dry up the retention. Preganancy can cause it too.

[daffy654]

With COPD it is important to speak to the GP if you get any swelling of the feet and ankles,it can be a sign of heart problems linked to the COPD.
You say your GP has put you on water tablets,but did he do an ECG or refer you to a chest specialist?

[sqad617]

daffy is quite correct, the COPD may well be puting a strain on the right side of your heart causing the ankle swelling.

It is important that you do see a specialist to have the swelling (oedema) investigated, as there may be other causes contributary factors involved.

[suzee1]

Thanks for yr replies im 45yrs, and i do have shorness of breath as i have copd emphasema,and cant walk far. my doctor has also sent me for a heart and lung xray on wednesday the 27 of this month my blood pressures fine though, he has put me on water tablets till then im so scared i did what you said and pressed the skin in and it left a indentationand it took a while to rise up again, i hope this means its water problems rather than heart problems thanks for all your advice and please keep it coming x