Swollen feet and ankles (edema) have many possible causes, ranging from benign and temporary to more serious conditions. Here’s a concise overview of common, less urgent causes and when to seek medical attention. Direct answer
- Fluid retention: Edema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the tissues of the feet and ankles. Gravity makes the lower limbs more prone to pooling, especially after standing or sitting for long periods. This is often the most common and reversible cause.
- Prolonged standing or sitting: Staying in one position for hours can cause fluid to collect in the legs. Taking breaks to move and elevating the legs can help.
- Higher sodium intake: Consuming a lot of salt can promote fluid retention and swelling. Reducing sodium can help lessen edema.
- Pregnancy: During pregnancy, increased fluid volume and uterine pressure can lead to swelling in the feet and ankles, which often improves after delivery.
- Weight and age: Being overweight and aging can place more strain on circulation, increasing the likelihood of edema.
- Medications: Some medicines can cause edema as a side effect, such as certain blood pressure drugs, steroids, and others. Check with a clinician if you notice new swelling after starting or changing medications.
- Infections or injuries: Localized swelling can follow ankle injuries (sprains) or infections. This is usually accompanied by redness, warmth, and pain.
More serious or urgent possibilities to consider
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in the leg can cause sudden, unilateral (one-sided) swelling, often with warmth, redness, and pain. This requires urgent evaluation.
- Heart, liver, or kidney problems: Conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver disease (cirrhosis), or kidney disease can cause generalized swelling, often along with other symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal swelling, or changes in urine output.
- Severe or worsening symptoms: If swelling comes on rapidly, is associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, severe leg redness, fever, or if swelling is persistent and not explained by simple factors, seek urgent care.
What you can do now
- Monitor and relief strategies:
- Move regularly and avoid prolonged immobility; try short walks and simple leg exercises.
- Elevate the legs when resting to help fluid return toward the torso.
- Wear compression stockings if advised by a clinician and if swelling is persistent and not due to a medical emergency.
- Limit high-sodium foods and stay hydrated; avoid excessive alcohol.
- When to seek medical care:
- Sudden, unilateral swelling or swelling with warmth/pain in one leg (possible DVT).
- Swelling that worsens rapidly, or is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or yellowing of the skin.
- Swelling that doesn’t improve with basic measures after a few days, or occurs with fever, redness, or skin ulcers.
If you’d like, share any accompanying symptoms (breathlessness, chest pain, leg redness, fever), your age, pregnancy status, medications, or recent changes in activity or salt intake. With those details, a more tailored assessment and next steps can be outlined.
