How do I know if swollen ankles are serious?

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.

What is the main cause of swollen ankles?

Common causes of swollen ankles, feet and legs eating too much salty food. being overweight. being pregnant. taking certain medicines – such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, hormone therapy, antidepressants or steroids.

What can cause ankle swelling without injury?

Causes of swollen feet and ankles can range from overuse and surgery to pregnancy.

• Edema. Edema is a common condition where excess fluid is trapped in your body’s tissues.
• Pregnancy.
• Preeclampsia.
• Alcohol.
• Hot weather.
• Lymphedema.
• Injury.
• Chronic venous insufficiency.

How do you get rid of swollen ankles?

7 Helpful Ways to Reduce Swollen Feet and Ankles

1. Walk it Out.
2. Drink Lots of Water.
3. Sleep on Your Side.
4. Enjoy Some Pool Time.
5. Limit Your Salt.
6. Wear Compression Socks.
7. Elevate Your Feet.

Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles?

If your legs and feet are frequently swelling, then your high blood pressure may have already started contributing to heart disease. Take these symptoms seriously and have your legs and feet checked by a podiatrist.

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 medications can 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.

What’s good for swelling feet?

Here are 10 to try.

• Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day.
• Buy compression socks.
• Soak in a cool Epsom salt bath for about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Elevate your feet, preferably above your heart.
• Get moving!
• Magnesium supplements can be helpful for some people.
• Make some dietary changes.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight.

What causes swollen ankles in elderly?

This is a common condition among seniors and is caused by fluid accumulating in the soft tissue surrounding the ankles or in the ankle joint. The swelling may be due to prolonged standing, eating a diet high in salt, sitting for extended periods of time, sustaining an ankle injury, or taking certain medications.

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.