If your feet are swollen and painful and you cannot walk, you should seek medical attention promptly to identify the cause. If your feet are swollen and accompanied by severe pain, you can go to the orthopedics department for examination. If accompanied by facial swelling, you can go to the nephrology department for examination. If accompanied by palpitations, asthma, and suffocation, you can go to the cardiology department for examination. At the same time, smoking and excessive intake of sodium should be avoided to prevent exacerbation of discomfort.

What to do if your feet are swollen and painful and you cannot walk

1. Seek medical attention promptly. It is recommended that if you have swollen feet, you should first go to the hospital for examination to find out the cause of the swelling and treat it accordingly. If the swelling is accompanied by severe pain, you should go to the orthopedics department for examination. If there is also swelling in the face, you should go to the nephrology department for examination. If accompanied by palpitations, asthma, and suffocation, you should go to the cardiology department for examination. If it is an elderly person with no obvious other symptoms, they should go to the geriatrics department for examination.

2. Prevent foot swelling. Preventing foot swelling begins with preventing related diseases, such as avoiding smoking and excessive intake of sodium to prevent coronary heart disease. Elderly people should especially pay attention to foot hygiene and warmth, and ensure comprehensive nutritional intake. Avoid standing for long periods of time, increase local exercise appropriately, and closely monitor and control drug side effects. If there is swelling in the feet after taking a certain medication, go to the hospital immediately.

Causes of Foot Swelling

1. Idiopathic foot swelling. Idiopathic foot swelling is more common in elderly women, often affecting both feet simultaneously. The symptoms are usually mild and appear when standing for a long time or after exertion. They gradually disappear when lying down or resting.

2. Functional foot swelling. Functional foot swelling is also more common in elderly women. It is generally not severe and often occurs intermittently, lasting for several years. Some patients experience swelling that is related to the season but not to their position. The cause of this type of swelling is currently unknown.

3. Nutritional foot swelling. Nutritional foot swelling occurs due to decreased food intake, decreased digestive function, or chronic illnesses in elderly people, leading to a lack of nutrients in the body. This can cause foot swelling, often accompanied by anemia and an increased risk of infectious diseases due to decreased immune function.

4. Cardiogenic foot swelling. Cardiogenic foot swelling is caused by reduced heart function, especially in those with right heart dysfunction. Examination of the heart may reveal pathological changes such as organic murmurs and enlargement of the heart.

5. Inferior vena cava foot swelling. Inferior vena cava foot swelling is caused by poor blood flow in the inferior vena cava, often affecting one foot first. This can be due to the formation of blood clots in the inferior vena cava or pressure on the inferior vena cava caused by tumors in the pelvic cavity.