I wondered why my hands and feet get swollen often, because of this?
Oct 23, 2025
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Lee Hyo-sang, a specialist in the Department of Nephrology at H Plus Yangji Hospital, said "Edema is a sign of abnormal water metabolism in the body, and it has a much more complex cause than temporary swelling caused by simple fatigue."Especially when heart, liver, and kidney function deteriorate, it becomes difficult to discharge sodium in the body, and as a result, salt accumulates in the body, swelling can worsen."
Edema is divided into systemic and local causes. Systemic edema occurs in diseases such as congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, and chronic renal failure in the form of increased water throughout the body. In this case, several parts of the body, such as the face, hands, legs, and abdomen or thighs, swell at the same time.
On the other hand, local edema is a type of fluid accumulated in a specific area due to lymphatic vessels and venous circulation disorders, and is typical of varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, and lymphoma. Also, swelling can occur when standing for a long time or when the circulation is temporarily stagnant due to hormonal changes, stress, and lack of sleep. Other drug side effects can be the cause. Long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lowers the kidney's salt and water-discharge function, resulting in swelling, and some blood pressure drugs, diabetes drugs, steroids, and female hormones can also cause swelling due to excessive moisture.
Typical symptoms are swelling of the knuckles or ankles. When the shin area is pressed with a finger, the mark may appear in the form of 'concave edema' that remains for a certain period of time.
"The swelling pattern that varies depending on the swelling area and morning and evening is an important clue to the cause of the disease," said Lee Hyo-sang, a specialist. "If you suddenly gain 2-3kg or swell up around one leg and eyes, you should seek medical treatment without delay."Diagnosis of edema begins with basic tests such as blood and urine tests, electrocardiogram, and chest X-rays. If necessary, detailed examinations such as abdominal ultrasound, echocardiography, 24-hour urine protein test, and serum albumin level measurement are performed. If liver disease, heart failure, and nephrotic syndrome are found to be the cause of the diagnosis, treatment tailored to the disease is performed in parallel.
The basis of treatment is restriction of salt intake and correction of causative diseases. Sodium is a key factor in determining the amount of water stored in the body, and salt intake should be limited to less than 5g (2g of sodium) per day. However, completely cutting off salt can lead to nutritional imbalances, so it is important to maintain a balanced diet of low-salt diets.
It can also relieve swelling by improving lifestyle. It is helpful to avoid standing or sitting for a long time, exercise regularly, get enough rest and sleep, and keep your legs slightly above your heart.
"Edema is not just a swelling phenomenon, but a warning sound that informs circulatory abnormalities in the body," said Lee Hyo-sang, a specialist. "The best prevention method is to check the cause by early examination and to steadily practice the three habits of salt control, sufficient rest, and regular exercise."
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
