Swollen ankles!

Now that I am constantly on my feet during my 8 hour shifts at work PLUS my daily visit to the gym, usually half way into the day my ankles are swollen. This lasts until I go to bed and wake up the next morning to normal unpuffy legs.

My question is, will my legs "get used" to being on my feet all day and stop swelling, or is this something I just have to accept? Is there anything that will help?

Are you standing in one spot most of the time or moving around alot?  My ankles swell very badly if I have to stand in one spot for a long time but if I am moving around they are fine. 

What kind of floor do you have at work?  Sounds like concrete floors and bad shoes.  Try and find a better work shoe and do you have shoes you immediately put on after work? 

Also, try a nice outside stroll for a mile or two on a softer terrain.  I'm trying to convince my husband to walk because his legs take a pounding at work.  However, he is finally soaking in a pool which works well too. 

I had the problem with sore feet/ankles and walking outdoors in walking shoes for leisure really helps.  Do this on your time off.  Right after work, raise your feet and make sure you're drinking enough water.

Could it be something like drinking more water?  I know, for myself, I can easily get swollen ankles and calfs when I don't drink enough water.  And I am not on my feet all day, every day.

Is it uncomforable?  Is it painful? 

I have non-existant ankles to begin with-genetics!.  So when they get swollen, because I have narrow calfs, my legs look like one log!

On your lunch time at your work, is there a couch you could elevate your feet, or maybe a bench in a park.  I think you'll see a difference in as little as 10 minutes.

 

Hello...After gaining weight, I began to have edema in my legs and ankles (swelling).  One of the best things I have found to combat the problem is to watch my salt intake.  Less in definately better.  Also, as mentioned above, drink your water.  I think if you watch your sodium intake you will really notice a difference.  Stay away from things in a can, boxed things like Hamburger Helper, and soup.  I look at the labels and try to stick between 3 and 5% sodium for the day when I pick an item.  Its amazing how quickly you will become taste sensitive to eating less salt.  You'll be shocked at how much sodium is in the things we eat everyday.  Good luck!

mamafred yes, it gets the worst when I am tending to a cart versus when I am moving around more in the store (at Universal, they put you in different locations). So if I'm working the cart, I'll try to move around more.

oneis2many I'll now have an excuse to put up my feet during my break, ha! But yes, the first day it was very uncomfortable--I felt like my legs were going to explode.

h8cldwx I barely have any sodium in my diet. I eat mostly natural foods. The only foods that I eat on a regular basis that have any noticable sodium are peanut butter and whole wheat bread. Thanks though!

Thanks for all your suggestions--I'll post in a bit and see if my water-logged ankles get any better. :\

1.) reduce sodium intake

2.) increase water intake

3.) get compression stockings (and wear them)

4.) talk to your doctor

........ not necessarily in that order

Stop eating peanuts or peanut butter.

I have had swollen ankles at various times over the past 5 years.  I attributed it to flying, sitting too long in meetings, etc.  I finally kept a food diary, and determined that peanuts / peanut butter might be the cause of my swollen ankles.  I haven't eaten either in 2 weeks, and have not had swollen ankles, even though I have flown, and sat too long in meetings during this time.  I can't explain it, but plan to go in for food allergy testing to confirm.