There are many causes of swelling in the hands and feet, but the most common one is very simple and many of us have experienced it - when we stand or sit for a long time, i.e. with our legs down. In this case, what happens is that the action of the force of gravity causes the retained liquids to move to the lower areas.

They can also be cyclical

This means that they can appear in certain periods, such as the premenstrual period and pregnancy. In these cases, swelling happens due to the action of hormones that increase microcirculation and the passage of liquids to the tissues.

Swelling in the hands and feet can come from standing still or moving

Here's a curiosity, we usually associate the swelling with staying a long time in the same position, as after a work day. But, many times, after a walk, for example, there is swelling of the hands, you can observe. Because, as the arms have been down for a long time, with reduced movement, the swelling appears. Raising and lowering the arms as well as opening and closing the hands for sometime resolves the issue.

Read also: Menu for deflating on hot days - especially in summer

Swelling can be a warning sign

There are many that can have swelling as a symptom, and the main ones are renal failure, congestive heart failure, liver disease, and deep vein thrombosis. So whenever the swelling remains you should seek a doctor for referral to tests and possible treatments.

4 warning signs of swelling in the hands and feet that you need to see a doctor about right away

• If the swelling is asymmetric, it appears in only one limb.
• If it is accompanied by pain, heat, or red or dark patches on the skin.
• When swelling appears with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, coughing, swelling around the eyes, decreased urination.
• If the swelling takes a long time to go down.

3 attitudes you can take to reduce and avoid bloating

• Eye on the plate : foods with a lot of sodium contribute to the worsening of swelling. On the other hand, natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables, help to improve because they are diuretic.
• Drink plenty of water: This tip applies to those who don't have kidney or heart problems (that's why it's always good to keep your appointments up to date) and have swelling, for example, because of the heat or the consumption of foods rich in sodium. Coconut water and diuretic teas are good options. So, the calculation is: 35 ml per body kilo. A person weighing 60 kilos should drink 2.1 liters.
• Finally, put your feet up This simple attitude that many people do at the end of the day is called postural drainage. In other words, elevating the legs decreases and even eliminates this action, promoting a redistribution of liquids.

Sources: Andrea Lopes Lipolis, cardiologist and partner at Clínica Porto, in São Paulo, and José Luiz Cataldo, angiologist, member of the Lymphatic Diseases Commission of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery (SBACV-SP).