Sometimes swelling can indicate a problem such as heart, liver, or kidney disease Ankles that swell in the evening could be a sign of retaining salt and water because of right-sided heart failure Kidney disease can also cause foot and ankle swelling
What is the main cause of swollen ankles?
Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema Oedema is usually caused by: standing or sitting in the same position for too long eating too much salty food
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
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
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
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
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 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
What to eat to reduce swelling in feet?
Magnesium-rich foods (tofu, spinach, cashews) Therefore, when you are suffering from swollen feet, eat magnesium-rich foods These include tofu, spinach, cashews, almonds, dark chocolate, broccoli and avocados
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)
What medications cause swollen ankles?
Medications that may cause the feet to swell include: hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure steroids, both androgenic and anabolic, and corticosteroids antidepressants nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs medication to help manage diabetes
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
Will drinking more water help with edema?
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have This contributes to swelling
Does walking help 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 worry about swelling?
When to Seek Care for Swelling You should seek emergency care if you have sudden, unexplained swelling in just one limb or if it occurs along with chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch
When should I be worried about swelling?
Swelling by itself is not usually a sign of heart, liver, or kidney disease However, people with swelling that also experience a loss of appetite, weight gain, and fatigue should talk to a doctor Shortness of breath or chest pain should always trigger a 911 call
Can diabetes cause swollen feet?
Diabetes can also cause edema or swelling in the feet and ankles Swelling in people with diabetes is usually due to factors associated with diabetes, such as: obesity poor circulation
How do I get rid of fluid in my legs and feet?
Home Care Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down Exercise your legs Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores) When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around
What conditions cause edema?
Several diseases and conditions may cause edema, including: Congestive heart failure Cirrhosis Kidney disease Kidney damage Weakness or damage to veins in your legs Inadequate lymphatic system Severe, long-term protein deficiency
How do you make swelling go down without ice?
Applying direct pressure to an injury helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow Things like compression bandages, elastic bandages, or cold compression devices should provide enough compression without being too constrictive Compression can also help ease pain by keeping the injured area somewhat immobilized
Does walking help swollen legs?
The best weapon in the fight against swollen legs is a simple one: walking Getting your legs moving means circulation is improved which will sweep up that collected fluid and get it shifted
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
What foods to avoid when you have swollen ankles?
To reduce swelling all over your body, podiatrist, Dr Paul Ross near Rockville, MD recommends that you avoid fast food, potato chips and packaged sweets Watch out for sneaky sources of sodium like condiments, sauces and canned food Fruits and veggies are a staple of a bloat-free diet
Can coffee cause swelling in feet?
One thing that many people don’t realize is that dehydration can cause fluid retention Proper hydration means drinking plenty of water Soda, coffee, and most teas are not appropriate for hydrating the body Dehydration can cause swollen ankles, feet, and legs
What exercise is good for swollen feet?
A simple exercise that you can do at home to reduce swelling in the ankles is ankle pumps To do this exercise, lie down and elevate the feet Moving only the feet, point your toes up towards your head, and then down away from your head Go back and forth 30 times, completing this exercise three times per day