Why do feet swell up in the heat?

Summer is here, and with it comes a number of annoyances—mosquitoes, humidity that makes your hair frizzy no matter how much anti-frizz serum you use, and most commonly: swollen feet. If you’ve ever spent an extended period outside or felt like your toes were about to burst after sitting at a desk all day on a hot summer afternoon then fear not! In this article we’ll take an in-depth look into why feet swell up during the heat.

How Does Heat Affect Your Body?

To understand why our feet puff up like balloons in high temperatures, we need to delve deeper into how our body reacts when exposed to excessive heat.

The Science

When the mercury rises from bearable weather to swelteringly hot temperature (like >32°C), our heart’s first major response is sending blood towards skin by dilating blood vessels near surface (vasodilation). This helps us cool down as warm blood reaches cooler skin areas where excess heat can escape through evaporation & radiation resulting in sweating or perspiring more than usual but if its humid outside sweat can’t evaporate quickly since air isn’t able absorb extra moisture(you could feel rather disgusting) so sweating diverts that warmth which cannot be dissipated out of your bloodstream & body tissues putting pressure on leg veins/heart/etc making them work harder eventually leading them stretching/opening wider (“Swelling”) due increased pressure likewise Dam gates opening when there’s increase water flow trying regulate river basins and prevent floods.

As swelling occurs typically within lower limbs such as ankles; legs are separated into different compartments bound together loosely by muscle-tendon sheaths forming chamber/tube-like structure called fascia.this acts like non-slip sock/skin helping keep muscles tidy and support circulation etc.when veins transport oxygen-poor/de-oxygenated/blood back to heart it uses valves look like butterfly flaps closing after blood passes through veins on its way back as gravitational force is prevalent which makes leg/foot down semi-Sedentary position your heel acts bending point; however, damage/disease/general malfunctions can impact upon functioning of these valves lead from stasis then build-up excess fluid pressure within compartments getting stored (pooled) inside compressed tissue fascicles where fluid (interstitial) cells trapped creating discomfort and pain resulting swelling in feet.

Why Do Feet Swell Up More Than Other Body Parts?

Well, there’s a simple reason for this – gravity! Our legs are the furthest away from our hearts. Blood travels against gravity when flowing back up towards our heart through the veins in our legs. When blood pools or gets backed up, it causes swollen ankles or puffy feet.

In addition to that we all wear some form of footwear such as socks/shoes/sandals& flip-flops that may further exacerbate swelling due more constriction…unless you stick with comfort shoes running around with orthopaedic foam soles instead!

What Causes Heat-Related Foot Swelling?

Now that we know how heat affects our bodies, let’s find out why feet swell specifically during hot weather conditions.

Dehydration

Without adequate hydration,the heat will extract water from body tissues even if they’re already doing their best trying keep up bottled proportions.Therefore increasing concentration solutes [dissolved particles] left static causing narrowing capillaries permeable taking sodium ions along for ride thus making us feel dehydrated & irritable while triggering thirst response but more importantly increased endothelial gap between capillary walls leading extracellular interstices[spaces outside cells ]to move intravascularly reducing necessity aiding pumping action by osmotically drawing spaces having accumulated salts/fluids outside vessel lumen(reversing effect),leading edema/swelling between endothelial cells.

Prolonged Standing or Sitting

Standing for long periods of time can result in a venous blood build-up that causes feet to swell. This is especially true if you’re standing still without much movement (think attending outdoor concerts, shows). It happens because the legs have to work against gravity when pumping blood back up towards the heart.

Sitting all day at a desk job isn’t great for your health either as your posture restricts flow fluids similarly causing swelling foot pain duo makes sitting too lengthy uncomfortable/awkward/awful espacially on hot summer days when aired circulation in office might feel insufficient.

Heat Rash

Heat rash occurs when sweat ducts are clogged and prevent perspiration from escaping. When this happen s,itchy rashes appear on skin resulting more inflammation & fluid accumulating within deeper dermal tissues due to continuous heat exposure.Heightened risk factor such wearing sandals/barefoot could also cause friction generating even more irritation!

Hot Weather Workout

The body shunts blood away from organs during exercise so muscles get oxygen & glucose [energy] required but increases pressure peripheral vessels continuously expanding contractions enabling adequate cross-country supply,engorging each vessel preventing pooling inside individual chambers like we described earlier.Blood circulation need adjustment other areas maintain balance regulating transfer volume/cardiac output regulatrion.Warm weather exacerbates problem making it challenging lowering cardiac workload meaning endostasis becomes likely which slows down coronary arteries decreasing instantaneous reaction times post exertion although effect varies person-to-person depending biological determiners/environmental elements.(i.e dehydration/humidty/etc)

What Can Be Done To Reduce Swelling?

Understanding why feet swell during hot weather-related conditions offers insight into how one can reduce swelling.The below steps assist in resolving discomfort related with swollen appendages forming variety combinations:

  • Drinking plenty of water :By staying hydrated throughout the day keeps minimal osmotic levels permitting unrestricted content of water in cells avoiding any unnecessary flows accumulation interstitial place.
  • Wear Comfortable Clothing :Ditch narrow/fitting taekwondo like clothing breathable fabric instead allows proper skin ventilation reducing irritation which causes itchiness etc. Go for lightweight footwear such as sandals & flip-flops (when appropriate) to minimize constriction on your feet
  • Exercise every day:Continuous physical activity is eye-wateringly great for enhancing blood fluidity/oxygenation along with stress regulation promoting better mental health and generally living healthier lives!
  • Elevate Your Feet :Raise them above chest level could minimize the pressure within tissues helped by gravity driving out pooled blood from lower legs then onwards circulation will help prevent swelling foot pain duo by increasing upwards back cardiac system

The Bottom Line

Swollen feet are an all too common summertime affliction, but now you know why it happens!By taking steps to stay hydrated,elevating your limbs regularly, minimising constant standing or sitting & wearing appropriate comfortable attire ,you can reduce discomfort/swelling associated this issue entirely,wishing a healthy summer fun ahead be sure treat yourself some ice cream/Halo Top when finished reading.I scream,you scream we’re screaming for ice cream!

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