swelling up and bloating with heat in thailand

[dirtycash]

what is it ? my feet swell up and i put on the pounds even though i dont eat as much. i notice my shoes hardly even fit me when i get off the plane.

is anyone else the same and what can you do to stop this.

[h90]

"swelling up and bloating with the heat in Thailand"

"i notice my shoes hardly even fit me when i get off the plane."

I have swelling when I am on long flights. But I do not from the heat.

From the heat: turn on the aircon and/or exercise and don't inject some unknown substances......

[crazygreg44]

on long flights my feet will swell up, too. Avoid to wear tight shoes, insted try slippers that are slightly oversized, like Crocs. You must at times get up and walk up and down the aisles to help the blood circulate in the feet. After you have landed and ariived in your room, allow yourself one hour to put your legs up and allow the excess fluids drain from your feet.

Drink enough water. I have notice that alcohol consumption can worsen the swelling. It has nothing to do with the heat. Under reduced fluids circulation and low blood pressure, the feet will eventually swell up. Allow yourself rests during the day´s course and put your feet up.

Drink lots of mineralized water, try to sweat a lot and stop drinking alcohol. You will see your condition improove immediately.

[Sheryl]

An unhelpful post has been removed.

It is indeed common for legs/feet to swell on long plane trips. Will usually resolve once off the plane; both lying down with legs elevated above the level of the heart and walking around will help. And avoiding any sort of restrictive clothing/underwear/hose while on the plane

But if OP is experiencing swollen feet in general once here and/or what he thinks is generalized fluid retention, a medical check up id indicated as this can be due to cardiac, kidney or liver problems.

[chubby]

ankle pumps, and graded knee high socks on long haul may also prevent DVTs .........

[h90]

An unhelpful post has been removed.

It is indeed common for legs/feet to swell on long plane trips. Will usually resolve once off the plane; both lying down with legs elevated above the level of the heart and walking around will help. And avoiding any sort of restrictive clothing/underwear/hose while on the plane

But if OP is experiencing swollen feet in general once here and/or what he thinks is generalized fluid retention, a medical check up id indicated as this can be due to cardiac, kidney or liver problems.

That is not an recommendation, just an experience:

When I fly my feet will swell = normal

If have "military style" boots. If I let them on my feet, closed tight there is no/less swelling (as long as I know, I never researched that in detail as it is uncomfortable and smelly).

[Gonsalviz]

An unhelpful post has been removed.

It is indeed common for legs/feet to swell on long plane trips. Will usually resolve once off the plane; both lying down with legs elevated above the level of the heart and walking around will help. And avoiding any sort of restrictive clothing/underwear/hose while on the plane

But if OP is experiencing swollen feet in general once here and/or what he thinks is generalized fluid retention, a medical check up id indicated as this can be due to cardiac, kidney or liver problems.

Mine was kidneys.

[Catoni]

I would go for a medical checkup if I were you. Get checked for possible diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease also... if you're getting swelling feet and ankles etc.. have a series of blood tests done.. see a good doctor.

Maybe the doctors will say that all you need is to go on "water pills" to fight the build up of fluid in your lower extremities.

I was 61 when I first landed in Thailand and the heat hit me like a brick wall until I acclimatized to it..

But I went opposite to you... instead of swelling and putting on weight.... my feet and ankles and all of me actually lost some swelling... and I dropped weight.

I really can't understand why you would swell up and put weight on... It just doesn't sound right..

As far as shoes and socks in Thailand... I ended up in McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai with a very badly infected toe ...hurting so much I could hardly walk. (It had started in Canada....before I flew to Thailand)

They X-rayed and did some other checks.... I saw a G.P. and he took me to a Podiatrist (foot specialist).... He told me it was a bad infection... no break...and put me on antibiotics that cleared it up in bout a week and a half.

I was always a sock and shoes guy... hated sandals..hate flip-flops even more... But the specialist told me... "best thing for the feet in a hot tropical climate... barefoot and sandals... let the feet breathe ...exposed to the sun and air... "

Keeping the feet enclosed in socks and shoes in the heat is bad. They keep the feet even hotter... and with sweaty moisture... a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria...

Keeping the feet bare... wearing sandals... allows the air and sun to help keep them dry...the sweat evaporating as soon as it hits the air...

As much as possible now I go barefoot with a good pair of sandals.... ( no flip-flops...actually not good to your feet over the long term) Get a good pair of Keens, Chacos, or Tevas.. with ankle strap, proper foot support and arch support... you can get waterproof ones from those companies..

I'll only wear socks and shoes now if I have to go to a wedding or funeral... or when back in Canada and it's the freezing winter-time.

Read: "Health and Medical Implications" of flip flops: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flops

Edited September 1, 2015 by Catoni

[bil2054]

Good advice from several folks above. I must wear compression stockings when flying, due to cardiovascular issues, diabetes, etc. Some swelling is due to the condition, and some to some of my medication.
Another tip is to lay off of the sodium as much as possible, especially for a couple of weeks before flying.
The folks who suggest getting an MD's opinion are spot on. If you are experiencing "pitting edema", swelling that if you poke a finger in the swelling and a crater persists for a time after you take your finger away, that MAY be a sign of heart failure. Not something you want to ignore. The condition can be fairly well treated with medication if you catch it in time.
If there is nothing to prevent you doing so, lots of walking will cause the leg muscles to assist in pumping the fluid back into circulation.
Good luck!

Edited September 1, 2015 by bil2054

[little mary sunshine]

Healthy people don have their feet swell due to

The heat...You should see a doctor immediately,

Preferably a cardiologist

[h90]

Healthy people don have their feet swell due to

The heat...You should see a doctor immediately,

Preferably a cardiologist

For people who are a bit older and overweight easily get a bit swollen feet in the heat, specially when they sit a lot (and of course they sit a lot because they are overweight).

Not healthy but normal....

[jacko45k]

Of course your feet swell up on flights, your are sitting for a long time in a reduced pressure environment.

It can also be indicative of kidney problems, or thyroid problems.

[maxjay]

ankle pumps, and graded knee high socks on long haul may also prevent DVTs .........

Is there anywhere one can buy "compression hose or graded knee high socks", here in Thailand?

What are "ankle pumps"?

Thanks in advance.

Edited September 1, 2015 by maxjay

[MyFriend You]

An unhelpful post has been removed.

It is indeed common for legs/feet to swell on long plane trips. Will usually resolve once off the plane; both lying down with legs elevated above the level of the heart and walking around will help. And avoiding any sort of restrictive clothing/underwear/hose while on the plane

But if OP is experiencing swollen feet in general once here and/or what he thinks is generalized fluid retention, a medical check up id indicated as this can be due to cardiac, kidney or liver problems.

I always head to the nearest foot massage place after checking into the Hotel whenever I arrive in Thaialand - helps get the circulation back in the legs. Diabetes - whether known or not - is another reason for foot/ankle swelling.........he should get a blood sugar analysis.

[Shiver]

I have the same issue that developed about 2 weeks ago after an internal flight. The day before yesterday they were looking worse so organised a way to have my feet elevated and feet/ankles/calves excess have reduced by about 50%, and a little more resolve yesterday, though less markedly, but it's still a little noticeable.

I know I don't drink enough water, and even though it's not too hot at the moment here in the North, the toilet visits say different, so am making an effort to get more water and also started taking Vit C/L-Lysine/L-Proline for cardio reasons and will see how that goes. I'm not on any medication, and aside from the aircraft flights (short haul) haven't changed my routine.

[Ripvanwinkle]

Using a trampoline is good exercise for someone with swollen feet

[h90]

Using a trampoline is good exercise for someone with swollen feet

yes I can see the usual overweight 70 year old jumping on the trampoline....

[Kitsune]

Everything is soaked in oil here, and sugar is omnipresent.

Most Thai recipes start with a work with 3cm oil then there is always a spoon of sugar in the mix.

They both make you pile on calories and slow your blood flood.

Try one week without these 2 culprits and you"ll see the difference.

[h90]

Everything is soaked in oil here, and sugar is omnipresent.

Most Thai recipes start with a work with 3cm oil then there is always a spoon of sugar in the mix.

They both make you pile on calories and slow your blood flood.

Try one week without these 2 culprits and you"ll see the difference.

To add the oil is usually palm oil and often it is not only the cheapest quality but also very old.

I recall my staff eating a beef soup and adding a big spoon of sugar and one of MSG

I see bloating happens with fat people, so I guess getting slim and exercise helps a lot.

at a 11 hour flight, in narrow chair without being able to move my legs, even I feel that it gets hard to get into my shoes afterwards, I think nothing of a healthy lifestyle can help there.

[Kitsune]

One table spoon of oil slows down your blood flow for 10h.

[h90]

One table spoon of oil slows down your blood flow for 10h.

I easily believe that some huge fat pork elevates your blood fat for the next 5 hours.

A table spoon, 10 hours, no I doubt that my olive oil on the salad will significant slow down my blood flow for the next 10 hours.

(considering 5-6 liter blood.....)

[BORRISGOODENUF]

What you are writing may indicate a cronic heart condition, the very first Item on your list should be going to visit a doctor or cardiologist to asses your problem.

DO IT!

[Catoni]

Using a trampoline is good exercise for someone with swollen feet

yes I can see the usual overweight 70 year old jumping on the trampoline....

But the overweight 70 year old CAN get out and walk more every day. I was overweight in Canada, 61 years old when I flew to Thailand, no energy... but lost close to 25 lbs. over four months in northern Thailand without even thinking about losing weight.. . Had to have more holes put in my belt..

My blood pressure returned to normal and I was able to go off my medication, my borderline diabetes disappeared.. Cholesterol came down.... and I felt a lot younger and with more energy again. Maybe the Thai street food ? Walking a lot ? Visiting the temples and getting into Buddhism ? ?

Maybe all of it... All I know is... that Thailand was damn good for my health.

Flew back to Canada after four months and put all that weight back on and more... back on my blood pressure meds... Saving up to return to Thailand and south east Asia... Thank the gods I am eligible for the O-A Visa.... and the wonderful folks at the Royal Thai Embassy are amazing and helpful.

[Catoni]

Everything is soaked in oil here, and sugar is omnipresent.

Most Thai recipes start with a work with 3cm oil then there is always a spoon of sugar in the mix.

They both make you pile on calories and slow your blood flood.

Try one week without these 2 culprits and you"ll see the difference.

To add the oil is usually palm oil and often it is not only the cheapest quality but also very old.

I recall my staff eating a beef soup and adding a big spoon of sugar and one of MSG

I see bloating happens with fat people, so I guess getting slim and exercise helps a lot.

at a 11 hour flight, in narrow chair without being able to move my legs, even I feel that it gets hard to get into my shoes afterwards, I think nothing of a healthy lifestyle can help there.

Fourteen and a half hour flight for me from Toronto to Hong Kong..... then another two and a half hours to Bangkok, I won't count the hour from there to Chiang Mai......... I always got up and took a walk up and down the airplanes aisles once in a while... good for the circulation when you are older.. Chew an aspirin.... Even just flexing your leg muscles... tightening your muscles up and loosening them when you are sitting helps better than nothing.. Just sitting doing nothing when you are an older person is asking for Deep Vein Thrombosis. You don't want that...

[little mary sunshine]

There are many healthy places to eat. I pay a little more for

Healthy food, I feel better, have actually lost weight and it is

Cheaper than going to a doctor and buying medications.

[h90]

Using a trampoline is good exercise for someone with swollen feet

yes I can see the usual overweight 70 year old jumping on the trampoline....

But the overweight 70 year old CAN get out and walk more every day. I was overweight in Canada, 61 years old when I flew to Thailand, no energy... but lost close to 25 lbs. over four months in northern Thailand without even thinking about losing weight.. . Had to have more holes put in my belt..

My blood pressure returned to normal and I was able to go off my medication, my borderline diabetes disappeared.. Cholesterol came down.... and I felt a lot younger and with more energy again. Maybe the Thai street food ? Walking a lot ? Visiting the temples and getting into Buddhism ? ?

Maybe all of it... All I know is... that Thailand was damn good for my health.

Flew back to Canada after four months and put all that weight back on and more... back on my blood pressure meds... Saving up to return to Thailand and south east Asia... Thank the gods I am eligible for the O-A Visa.... and the wonderful folks at the Royal Thai Embassy are amazing and helpful.

How about eating less in Canada?

[h90]

Everything is soaked in oil here, and sugar is omnipresent.

Most Thai recipes start with a work with 3cm oil then there is always a spoon of sugar in the mix.

They both make you pile on calories and slow your blood flood.

Try one week without these 2 culprits and you"ll see the difference.

To add the oil is usually palm oil and often it is not only the cheapest quality but also very old.

I recall my staff eating a beef soup and adding a big spoon of sugar and one of MSG

I see bloating happens with fat people, so I guess getting slim and exercise helps a lot.

at a 11 hour flight, in narrow chair without being able to move my legs, even I feel that it gets hard to get into my shoes afterwards, I think nothing of a healthy lifestyle can help there.

Fourteen and a half hour flight for me from Toronto to Hong Kong..... then another two and a half hours to Bangkok, I won't count the hour from there to Chiang Mai......... I always got up and took a walk up and down the airplanes aisles once in a while... good for the circulation when you are older.. Chew an aspirin.... Even just flexing your leg muscles... tightening your muscles up and loosening them when you are sitting helps better than nothing.. Just sitting doing nothing when you are an older person is asking for Deep Vein Thrombosis. You don't want that...

last flight I was in the middle, didn't want to wake up the guy on my side everytime. And it was the most narrow airplane I have seen, couldn't move the legs at all while sitting.....

yes it is bad...aspirin is an excellent idea....

[farangmick]

I would go for a medical checkup if I were you. Get checked for possible diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease also... if you're getting swelling feet and ankles etc.. have a series of blood tests done.. see a good doctor.

Maybe the doctors will say that all you need is to go on "water pills" to fight the build up of fluid in your lower extremities.

I was 61 when I first landed in Thailand and the heat hit me like a brick wall until I acclimatized to it..

But I went opposite to you... instead of swelling and putting on weight.... my feet and ankles and all of me actually lost some swelling... and I dropped weight.

I really can't understand why you would swell up and put weight on... It just doesn't sound right..

As far as shoes and socks in Thailand... I ended up in McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai with a very badly infected toe ...hurting so much I could hardly walk. (It had started in Canada....before I flew to Thailand)

They X-rayed and did some other checks.... I saw a G.P. and he took me to a Podiatrist (foot specialist).... He told me it was a bad infection... no break...and put me on antibiotics that cleared it up in bout a week and a half.

I was always a sock and shoes guy... hated sandals..hate flip-flops even more... But the specialist told me... "best thing for the feet in a hot tropical climate... barefoot and sandals... let the feet breathe ...exposed to the sun and air... "

Keeping the feet enclosed in socks and shoes in the heat is bad. They keep the feet even hotter... and with sweaty moisture... a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria...

Keeping the feet bare... wearing sandals... allows the air and sun to help keep them dry...the sweat evaporating as soon as it hits the air...

As much as possible now I go barefoot with a good pair of sandals.... ( no flip-flops...actually not good to your feet over the long term) Get a good pair of Keens, Chacos, or Tevas.. with ankle strap, proper foot support and arch support... you can get waterproof ones from those companies..

I'll only wear socks and shoes now if I have to go to a wedding or funeral... or when back in Canada and it's the freezing winter-time.

Read: "Health and Medical Implications" of flip flops: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flip-flops

Found good advice here about a problem I never thought to ask about on TV. I have plantar frascitis and walking is agony. Looked on Keens website and one model got a rave review from someone with the same condition, so I've ordered a pair. Price a bit rich at 100 USD plus shipping (roughly 50 times what I pay in the market!) But if they help only a little bit, it will be worth every baht.

[Ghostnigel]

my twin brother and I, who lives in Thailand too, both had the same thing, but not on flights, only on our feet....i was drinking every day, but my twin was not, He took aspirin, I did not.

I went to the hospital, had scans, blood tests, etc, but they found nothing.

Then a couple of months later, he did the same, and surprise, they found nothing....it stopped after a month or so, and hasnt returned, same my brother.

Edited September 3, 2015 by Ghostnigel