Swollen ankles and feet are common and are usually nothing to worry about, especially after long periods of standing and walking.
However, if swollen feet and ankles are accompanied by other symptoms, they can indicate a first health problem.
A foot may swell without trauma or falling.
The ankle may swell suddenly or slowly.
An injury-related swelling (for example, an Achilles tendon rupture) is limited to the injured foot, if organic diseases are the cause, both sides swell.
The foot swells mainly at the back of the foot and on the sides, rarely there is an accumulation of fluid under the sole of the foot.
Older people and menopausal women are most commonly affected.
In children, swollen feet are very rare; if the skin is reddened, trauma, sprain, or insect bite could be the cause.
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What are the causes of swollen feet?
Why do the feet swell during pregnancy?
Many pregnant women gain weight quickly, which means increased pressure on the legs, ankles and feet, causing swelling.
If the swelling is severe during pregnancy, this could be a sign of preeclampsia, which could lead to further complications. A swollen foot may indicate a heart, liver or kidney disease.
Complications during pregnancy
Swelling of the ankles and feet during pregnancy is quite normal, especially in the eighth and ninth month.
However, excessive or sudden swelling may indicate preeclampsia, which is a serious condition in which high blood pressure and protein excretion in the urine become noticeable after the 20th week of pregnancy.
If severe swelling occurs or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, headache, infrequent urination, nausea, vomiting or blurred vision, a doctor should be notified immediately.
Swollen feet and ankles after delivery After delivery
, swelling is completely normal. After a natural birth and cesarean section, the uterus “presses” the blood into the body.
In addition, the doctor probably administered fluids during the labor pains.
Blood and river geites have to go somewhere, so they run into feet and hands.
The swelling should subside on its own within a week or 10 days
Circulatory
Lymphedema Lymphedema
is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the tissues that arises due to disorders of the lymphatic tracts or due to removal of the lymph nodes.
Lymph is a protein-rich fluid that normally flows in an extensive network of vessels and capillaries. It is filtered through the lymph nodes, where unwanted substances such as bacteria are detected and destroyed. However, a disruption of the vessels or lymph nodes can hinder the outflow of lymph.
If this is not treated, lymphatic accumulation can jeopardize the healing of a wound and lead to infections and bulkiness.
In addition to swelling, there may be pain in the ankle or a burning skin under the knee.
Lymphedema often develops after radiation therapy or after removal of the lymph nodes in cancer patients. If swelling is observed after cancer therapy, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
People with circulatory disorders are more likely to have swollen ankles and feet.
The reason for this is that the blood accumulates in the lower limbs.
Those who are on their feet all day overwhelm the heart, which then has greater difficulty pumping the blood from the lower limbs up the body against gravity.
It is important to store the feet above the heart for an hour each night so that the heart can circulate the blood.
Daily intake of an Indian medicinal herb based on ginkgo biloba (a supplement that promotes circulation) can achieve surprising results in circulatory disorders and helps with swollen feet and ankles.
There are also special shoes for swollen feet and ankles.
With normal shoes, the foot hurts; the special shoes specially designed for swollen feet, on the other hand, are much thinner and more comfortable.
Water retension at the ankles
Studies show that individuals with a low percentage of body fat may have swollen or enlarged ankles because water has accumulated in this area.
A natural remedy for water retention is to drink naturally diuretics: drink 2-3 cups of green tea and 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice daily with hot water.
In this way, the fluid retention can be dissolved.
Venous insufficiency
The swelling of the ankles and feet is often a symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition in which the blood in the leg and foot veins does not flow correctly to the heart.
Normally, blood flow back up to the heart is made possible with the help of unilaterally directed venous valves.
If these venous valves are defective or weak, the blood flows back down through the veins and the body fluids remain in the soft tissue of the legs, especially the ankles and feet.
Chronic venous insufficiency can cause skin changes, ulcers and infections, the ankles sometimes appear black. If there are signs of venous insufficiency, a doctor must be consulted.
Blood clots
Blood clots that form in the veins of the legs can interrupt the backflow of blood from the legs to the heart, causing swelling of the ankles and feet. Blood clots can occur in the superficial or deep veins, the latter is called deep vein thrombosis.
Deep blood clots can block one or more major veins of the legs. These thrombi can be fatal if they detach and travel to the heart and lungs.
If the swelling occurs with pain, fever and possibly a change in colour of the leg concerned, a doctor must be notified immediately.
Swollen feet may need to be treated with blood thinners.
Skeletal muscle disorders and trauma
Foot and ankle injuries
An injury to the foot and ankle can cause swelling (or effusion). The most common injury is a sprained ankle, which can result from direct force or misconduct.
In a sprain (distortion), one of the ligaments stabilizing the ankle is severely overstretched.
Injury-related swelling of the foot or ankle can be alleviated by the following natural measures:
- Rest
- do not strain by walking,
- pressure bandage (Kinesio taping) for ankle or foot,
- ice cooling,
- Put your foot up (footstool or pillow).
If swelling and pain are severe and do not get better with self-treatment, a doctor should be consulted.
In the event of a bone fracture, the orthopedist may have to plaster the foot. The cast must not fit too tightly, because if the fluid is compressed too much, blood vessels and nerves can be pressed and damage can occur.
Tendinitis Tendinitis
of the ankle or foot can cause swelling around the tendon, especially in the foot on the posterior tibia muscle and at the back of the Achilles tendon.
Organic diseases
Heart, liver and kidney disease
Sometimes a swollen foot is a symptom of problems with the heart, liver or kidneys.
If the ankles swell in the evening, this could indicate a backlog of water and salt, due to right heart failure.
Also, kidney disease can cause swelling of the feet and ankles.
If the kidneys do not function properly, fluid can accumulate in the body.
Liver disease can affect albumin production (a protein) by the liver.
Albumin ensures the retention of the blood and prevents its escape from the blood vessels into the surrounding tissues.
An inadequate amount of albumin can lead to fluid loss.
Due to gravity, more fluid accumulates in the feet and ankles, but fluid can also accumulate in the abdomen and chest.
If the swelling is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of appetite and weight gain, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
Infection
Swollen feet and ankles may indicate infection.
Those who suffer from diabetic neuropathy or other nerve disorders of the foot nerves have an increased risk of foot infections.
Diabetics should check their feet every day for blisters and wounds, because the nerve damage can significantly affect pain sensitivity and foot problems can progress rapidly.
If a swollen foot or blister is noticed and an infection appears to be present, a doctor should be contacted immediately.
Side effects of medications
Numerous medications can cause swollen feet and ankles as a side effect.
These include:
- Hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen (birth control pill and hormone replacement therapy).
- Calcium antagonists, certain high blood pressure drugs, such as nifedipine (Adalat, Nifedicor, Nifecor), verapamil (Isoptin, Isoptin R) diltiazem (Diltiazem rk, Tildiem).
- Steroids, these include androgens, anabolic steroids and cortisone-containing agents, such as prednisone.
- antidepressants, which include: tricyclics, such as nortriptyline (Nortrilene), desipramine (Pertofran), and amitriptyline (Saroten, Laroxyl, Tryptizole); Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil).
- Anti-inflammatory painkillers (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs for short).
- Diabetes medications.
Anyone who suspects that the swelling is related to taking a medication should discuss this with their doctor.
Even if the benefits of the drug are worth the circumstances of a small swelling, if the situation worsens, it is necessary to change the drug or dosage.
Other causes
Obesity or excessive fat deposits
Obesity can be assessed by measuring body mass index. The calculation is made by dividing the body weight (in kg) by the square of the height (in m).
If the BMI exceeds the normal values, the diet table, which determines the daily requirement of calories, must be strictly adhered to. Certainly, excess fat will also be deposited in the fatty tissue of the feet and ankles.
The diet should include healthy foods for the heart, such as whole grains and healthy fats, and be around 1800 calories per day.
In addition, the diet to support muscle building should be rich in protein.
Targeted gymnastic exercises for the muscles also improve muscle tone and ensure a slim ankle.
There are several causes of peripheral swelling, including:
- injuries or traumas, such as sprains, broken bones or bruises,
- Age (also in men).
- Pregnancy.
- Excessive salt consumption.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Menstrual and/or premenstrual syndrome.
- sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time, for example when travelling by air.
- It is quite normal for the feet to swell in summer heat, especially in the evening; pain and itching can also occur.
- Height.
Other disorders
Other disorders that can cause swollen feet:
- Arthritis: in gout, the swelling occurs mainly at the bottom of the big toe, in psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, the ankle is swollen.
- Thyroid disease.
- Varicose veins.
- Insect.
- Malnutrition.
- Burns, including sunburn.
- Surgery on the hip, knee, foot or toes (e.g. for hallux valgus).
- Allergic reaction.
- Misuse of laxatives.
- Abuse of diuretics.
- Drug abuse.
- Sodium retention.