Common Causes Of Swollen Hands And Feet

Heart, Liver, Or Kidney Disease

Feet swelling can be an early indicator of heart, liver, or kidney disease. Renal disease, or kidney disease, is one of the most common causes of swelling in the ankles, legs, feet, and hands. During kidney failure, excess water and sodium cannot effectively remove it from the blood, which causes water or sodium retention and swelling.

If a patient suffers from liver disease, they may experience low protein levels in their blood that can cause fluid to leak from blood vessels into their tissues, which causes further swelling. Or if they are affected by heart complications, the damaged heart cannot efficiently pump blood, which can result in blood getting backed up in the legs, feet, and ankles, thus potentially causing swelling in these areas. Swelling of the feet does not always indicate kidney, liver, or heart disease, but it can be an early warning sign to get checked.

Continue reading to learn how infections can lead to swelling.