Swollen feet and ankles can be a sign of water retention or poor blood circulation. This can be caused by excess weight, pregnancy, and/or dehydration. Your feet and ankles are obviously the lowest part of your body. If you are on your feet a lot, the excess fluid in your body will collect in your feet and ankles as it moves downward. Although it is not limited to, this problem is most common in pregnant women and overweight people.

The first thing you can do to combat swollen feet and ankles is to keep them elevated as much as possible. This will prevent the fluid from flowing down to your feet and ankles. You want to sit down and have your feet propped up. The best position is to lay down and have your feet up on pillows so they are actually above your heart. Although this won't stop the fluid retention, it will prevent the fluid from collecting in your feet.

Stay well hydrated. Although it may not seem to make sense, one of the best ways to fight water retention is to drink lots of water. Being well hydrated will cause you to pee more, which will help to drain some of the built up water in your body. Staying hydrated will also help you lose weight, if that is the problem.

If extra weight is the problem, you will best serve yourself by losing the weight. Being over weight is unhealthy for a wide variety of reasons. Dealing with the pain and discomfort of swollen feet is only one of the many problems caused by being over weight. If you are pregnant, you will likely experience the swollen feet until after the baby is born. It will still benefit you greatly to stay hydrated and keep your feet elevated. If you are pregnant and your feet swell, it is important to make your doctor aware of the issue. Swollen feet can be a sign of a larger problem with your blood pressure, which can be dangerous for you and the baby.