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.
In this post
How do I get rid of fluid around my ankles?
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.
Why do I have fluid around my ankles?
Edema in foot and ankle
Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be severe enough to leave an indentation (pit) when you press on the area. This swelling (edema) is the result of excess fluid in your tissues — often caused by congestive heart failure or blockage in a leg vein.
Will drinking more water help with edema?
Although prescription medications and creams can treat edema, it is essential to drink enough water. When your body is not hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it already has to make up for the lack of incoming water, thus contributing to swelling.
When should I be concerned about swollen ankles?
If you experience severe swelling or swelling accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, headaches, infrequent urination, nausea and vomiting, or vision changes, call your doctor immediately.
How do I get rid of fluid in my ankles and feet?
Massage your feet
your feet toward your heart with firm strokes and some pressure. This can help move the fluid out of the area and reduce swelling.
Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles?
Causes of swollen ankles
This is caused by a whole range of things which include: High blood pressure. High salt intake.
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.
What makes 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 medications can cause swollen ankles?
These 7 Medications Can Cause Puffy Legs and Ankles
- First, how do you determine the cause of swelling? Gradual swelling in your legs and feet might not be obvious.
- 1) Amlodipine.
- 2) Gabapentin.
- 3) Pregabalin.
- 4) NSAIDs.
- 5) Oral contraceptives.
- 6) Oral steroids.
- 7) Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.
How can I stop my legs from leaking fluid?
Common treatments for leg swelling include walking daily, elevation of the legs throughout the day and at night, compression stockings and sleeves, compression pumps, wrapping the legs to reduce swelling, and use of water pills or diuretics in consultation with your primary care doctor and cardiologist.
Does walking help reduce swollen ankles?
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.
What does a swollen ankle mean with no pain?
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is also known as peripheral edema, which refers to an accumulation of fluid in these parts of the body. The buildup of fluid usually isn’t painful, unless it’s due to injury. Swelling is often more apparent in the lower areas of the body because of gravity.
Can dehydration cause swollen ankles?
“Usually, individuals who suffer from heaviness and leg swelling make the mistake of not drinking enough water – says Dr. Marco Setti, Head of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni. Instead, it is necessary to introduce fluids into the body by eating lots of vegetables and fruits as well as drinking natural water.
Is edema in the legs life threatening?
Swelling in the legs and ankles can be normal in some cases, but if it is sudden, unexplained, or accompanied by additional symptoms, contact a healthcare professional. Some health issues that result in this swelling can be life-threatening without treatment.
What medication is good for edema?
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 causes swollen legs from the knee down?
Common causes of sudden leg swelling
A blood clot blocking blood flow in a large leg vein — also called a DVT, or deep vein thrombosis. An injury such as a broken leg or a pulled leg muscle. An infection in the skin, joint, or other tissue of the leg. Joint inflammation in a joint of the leg, like the knee.
How do you know if swelling is serious?
Internal swelling is often a side effect of a medication or the result of a serious injury. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience rapid, unexplainable swelling, especially if you also experience unexplained weight gain and pain.
These include:
- itching.
- vomiting.
- flatulence.
- pain in the affected area.
Can caffeine cause ankle swelling?
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.
Why are my ankles swollen when I wake up?
When you are on your feet a lot, gravity pulls blood into the veins of your legs, and some of the water in the blood enters the tissues of your legs and feet, causing them to swell.
What are the first signs of a weak heart?
Heart failure
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Reduced ability to exercise.
- Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.
- Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)