puffy feet

[camaraderie]

seabreeze...you have ME worried now!!...but it seems you know a lot about it so...
Is some swelling NOT normal in older adults who sit immobile for hours. If the swelling goes away with activity is there anything to be concerned about?

[doctom]

I think some really great advice is to be had here...apart from the reason for the color of urine (which comes from urobilinogen according to my path texts) i think most of what has been said is right on the mark. it is very important that you see your primary care physician and work with him or her to address this medical issue. It could be something simple and benign, swollen feet were a common problem for the marines i cared for on our longer humps or it could be an early warning sign of something you should address earlier rather than later.
I am hoping you have good news and a prompt resolution to your problem so you can get back to enjoying your sailing.

mike

[chris_gee]

Depends who is on your lap.

[seabreeze_97]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

seabreeze...you have ME worried now!!...but it seems you know a lot about it so...
Is some swelling NOT normal in older adults who sit immobile for hours. If the swelling goes away with activity is there anything to be concerned about?

Yeah, it can be something as simple as a lack of activity. All those muscles act like little pumps to aid in circulation. Every time they flex, they move fluid. (You may be able to minimize the tendency by habitually flexing your legs every so often). Just sitting there, they don't do much. It affects people to varying degrees. I've seen fairly young people with edema issues, and 80 y/o's that don't swell at all. I mean, the veins are plainly visible, no edema after sitting in a chair for several hours. There are so many variables. For example, most never have a real health issue with a long airline flight, then you hear about the one person who was found dead in her seat on the plane after a long flight to Australia (true story). Why? Massive blood clots from just sitting. Her circulation was limited by her limited activity. No other health issues as far as I know of, and she was, if I remember, in her 30's? (youngish anyway). That's the one that sticks out, but she was one in how many thousands? I can't remember a time when, even as a kid, at the end of the day I pulled off my tube socks and couldn't see the indentions. Within a few minutes they're gone. See what I mean? The body is in a constant state of relative balance. It is once a certain parameter is exceeded and cannot be compensated for that we see problems. If you have a tendency to show some edema after sitting, it may be a minor deal, just the lack of activity. One thing to watch for is if that tendency worsens. That's a hint and a half to take notice and get checked out.

[seabreeze_97]

On urine color, urobilinogen gets the nod on basic yellow color, but it's not the only ingredient (urea included) that influences color, and that was my point. Waste in general will contribute color. If it's truly colorless, something's wrong.

[chris_gee]

I exaggerated slightly on colourless to make a point. However if dehydration is a factor the colour is marked whereas it should be lightly colored to almost clear especially not viewed in bulk.

[sailingdog]

Seabreeze-

Deep vein thrombosis, which is what you're describing in the airline-related post isn't the same thing as edema—isn't even related in most cases.

[seabreeze_97]

Hooollleee Sheeeiiittte! 18 years in the biz and I never knew that! I didn't say it was the same, however, since you brought it up, have you ever seen how swollen a DVT-affected limb can get? 3+, 4+, even weeping edema can result.
The airline incident was an example of how people react differently to a situation, with a select few that can have dramatic reactions to a situation, either because of an internal or external condition. You know, as in to extend the point of how "puffy feet" can be a relatively minor annoyance for most, but for some it can be much more serious.

[sailingdog]

Originally Posted by seabreeze_97

Hooollleee Sheeeiiittte! 18 years in the biz and I never knew that! I didn't say it was the same, however, since you brought it up, have you ever seen how swollen a DVT-affected limb can get? 3+, 4+, even weeping edema can result.
The airline incident was an example of how people react differently to a situation, with a select few that can have dramatic reactions to a situation, either because of an internal or external condition. You know, as in to extend the point of how "puffy feet" can be a relatively minor annoyance for most, but for some it can be much more serious.

Well, you had the two things in the same very run-on paragraph, and I just wanted to clarify that they are not the same thing most of the time.

[EscapadeCaliber40LRC]

My father had swelling feet, in his later years. back in the dark ages, then he died from a ruptured aorta which occurred while we were sailing. I was 19 at the time, and brought the boat in while he was still conscious. He later died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, 1967. I started developing swelling feet. in my mid 50s. Then I had a heart attack two years ago. When my feet swell now, I talk to my cardiologist who varies my diurectic prescriptions among other things. Cam - see a doctor. Don't put it off.