Common causes of swollen ankles, feet and legs eating too much salty food being overweight being pregnant – read about swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy taking certain medicines – such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants or steroids
When should I be concerned about swollen ankles?
If your swelling is accompanied by other symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight gain, see your doctor right away If you feel short of breath or have chest pain, pressure, or tightness, call 911
How do you get rid of swollen ankles?
7 Helpful Ways to Reduce Swollen Feet and Ankles Walk it Out Drink Lots of Water Sleep on Your Side Enjoy Some Pool Time Limit Your Salt Wear Compression Socks Elevate Your Feet
What are the reasons of ankle swelling?
Possible causes of swollen ankles include: Foot or ankle injury Share on Pinterest A person may experience inflammation due to an injury on the ankle or foot Cellulitis Medication side effect Chronic venous insufficiency Blood clots Pregnancy Preeclampsia Lymphedema
Does swollen ankles mean heart failure?
Swelling of the feet is a common sign of heart failure You may also notice swelling in your legs, ankles, and stomach Many things can cause swelling, so it’s important to see your doctor to diagnose the cause
Can dehydration cause swollen ankles?
Stay Hydrated – dehydration causes the constriction of blood vessels leading to the forcing of fluids into the extracellular spaces between cells leading to retention particularly in the lower limbs
What causes swollen ankles in elderly?
Legs, ankles, and feet swell when excess fluid is pulled down by gravity and builds up in the lower body This is called edema and it’s common in older adults and usually happens on both sides of the body It can be caused by a variety of health conditions including heart failure, kidney disease, gout, and arthritis
How do you make swelling go down fast?
Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area
What does water retention in ankles mean?
Sitting or standing too long can cause your tissue to hold water If your job keeps you on your feet, you may notice swollen legs and ankles at the end of the day It’s also common after a long time on an airplane The key is to keep blood circulating
Why won’t my ankle swelling go down?
There are several common causes of ankle pain that does not go away: The sinus tarsi syndrome Lingering inflammation, scar tissue, or a partly torn ligament can occur in the hollow place in the side of the anklebone called the sinus tarsi (sinus in Latin means hollow or sunken and the tarsus is the ankle)
Can being overweight cause swollen ankles?
In most cases, swelling occurs as a result of certain lifestyle factors, such as: Being overweight Excess body mass can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the feet, legs, and ankles Standing or sitting for long periods
How long does a swollen ankle last?
Typically, swelling will reside naturally within two weeks of the injury, even with more severe ankle sprains If severe swelling occurs after this, you may want to consult your doctor for an ankle injury
How can you tell if your ankle is swollen and your heart is related?
Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem When your heart doesn’t work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs This causes fluid to build up in your tissues
What 3 foods cardiologists say to avoid?
Here are eight of the items on their lists: Bacon, sausage and other processed meats Hayes, who has a family history of coronary disease, is a vegetarian Potato chips and other processed, packaged snacks Dessert Too much protein Fast food Energy drinks Added salt Coconut oil
How do I know my heart is failing?
Heart failure signs and symptoms may include: Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down Fatigue and weakness Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet
Should I go to the doctor for swollen ankles?
When the cause is minor or temporary, swollen ankles are often treatable at home, but there are some cases when they need to be treated by a doctor In these situations, swollen ankles could be a sign of a serious illness If your swollen ankles occur along with shortness of breath or chest pain, call 911
Can ankles swell from sitting too long?
The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema Edema is commonly seen in the feet and ankles, because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in these locations Common causes of edema are prolonged standing, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, being overweight, and increase in age
How do you flush out edema?
Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics) One of the most common diuretics is furosemide (Lasix)
Is walking good for swollen ankles?
Tips to reduce ankle and foot swelling Simple lifestyle changes — such as exercise and weight loss — also can help reduce or prevent swelling while also improving your overall health, says Dr Botek She suggested activities such as walking and swimming
When should you see a doctor for swollen feet?
When should you call the doctor? “Report your symptoms to your doctor if there’s so much swelling that it leaves an indentation if you press your finger into it, or if it has developed suddenly, lasts for more than a few days, affects just one foot, or is accompanied by pain or discoloration of the skin,” Dr
What happens if edema is left untreated?
If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation
Does Vicks help with swollen feet?
Another ingredient of Vick’s VapoRub — eucalyptus oil — contains a natural chemical called 1,8-cineole This compound gives it antibacterial and antiviral properties It also has anti-inflammatory properties This means it may help soothe pain and reduce swelling
What medicine is good for swelling?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce pain, swelling, stiffness and inflammationThese include: Aspirin (Bayer® Aspirin, Ecotrin®, Excedrin®, St Joseph’s®, and many others) Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, and others) Ketoprofen (Orudis®) Naproxen (Aleve®)
What medicine makes swelling go down?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, such as Advil or Motrin Naproxen, such as Aleve or Naprosyn