Prognosis

The prognosis of water in the feet is strongly dependent on the cause.The symptoms of pregnancy, after birth or during the menopause usually disappear by themselves. If there is an underlying systemic disease, such as heart failure or cancer, the occurrence of water in the feet correlates with the success of the treatment. Thus, it is possible that the edema disappears completely; in other cases that are difficult to treat, the water in the feet may persist. However, the extent and severity of the disease can often be kept well within reasonable limits.

Prophylaxis

A healthy lifestyle is very helpful to prevent water in the feet. Regular exercise trains the heart, circulation and blood vessels, which are often the cause of swelling. Cold foot baths are also good for strengthening the leg veins.

Compression stockings or bandages are also suitable as a therapy to prevent the reappearance of water in the feet. These are also useful during and after pregnancy. However, it is difficult to give general recommendations for the prophylaxis of water in the feet due to the various causative diseases. Nevertheless, the most important prophylactic measures can be summarized in one sentence: rather walk and lie down than stand and sit.

Water in the feet after birth

After the birth, the mothers get more and more water in their feet. However, this is a common phenomenon that is not of pathological significance. Mothers who already had edema during pregnancy have a higher risk of suffering from this after birth.

In some cases, it also occurs again after birth. The symptoms can sometimes last for weeks. A large part of the water in the feet is still due to the pregnancy.

Another cause after birth is simply limited mobility. After the birth, many mothers sit in bed or on the edge of the bed for a long time instead of moving. In addition, hormonal changes make the blood more viscous, which makes it more difficult for the blood to flow back.

Then legs and feet become thick. The risk of thrombosis is also increased. Certain diagnostic steps should only be taken if a manifest thrombosis develops in the leg, which can be noticed by pain, redness and a burning sensation.

The most important method to nip the symptoms of water in the foot in the bud is exercise. One should get up as soon as possible after the birth. Walking promotes venous return through muscle contraction, which leads to swelling. Bandages or support stockings help with this. Medication should be used if the symptoms persist for a longer period of time.