Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart. 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. Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs. Lose weight if you need to. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call or the local emergency number if: You feel short of breath. You have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness. Call your provider right away if: You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse.
You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen. Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch. You have a fever. You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling.
Also call your provider if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet.
Your provider will ask questions such as: What body parts swell? Your ankles, feet, legs? Above the knee or below? Do you have swelling at all times or is it worse in the morning or evening? What makes your swelling better?
What makes your swelling worse? Although CVI does not have severe complications, it can be painful and uncomfortable. It may also cause noticeable changes to the skin. Examples of some treatment options include:. This is called deep vein thrombosis DVT and requires urgent medical attention. DVT obstructs the flow of blood returning to the heart, causing it to build up in the affected limb. Sometimes, the body is able to compensate for the blockage by gradually diverting blood through smaller neighboring veins.
Over time, these veins get larger and are able to drain blood from the limb. If these veins do not increase in size, the limb may remain swollen. Persistent pain and swelling after a DVT is called post-thrombotic syndrome.
During pregnancy, the body produces more blood and bodily fluids to support the developing fetus. Swelling is a common side effect of pregnancy, especially in the third trimester.
It can affect the ankles, feet, legs, face, and hands. Slight swelling is normal and usually harmless. However, sudden swelling of the hands and face could be a sign of a potentially life-threatening condition called preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia is a life-threatening condition that can occur during the second or third trimester of pregnancy, or up to 6 weeks after giving birth. Preeclampsia is characterized by dangerously high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
It can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches , changes in vision, weight gain, and edema. It requires urgent medical treatment. Treatment may include medications to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure. Delivering the baby is the most effective treatment, although some women may experience worsening symptoms before they get better. Lymphedema is a type of swelling that affects the soft tissues in the arms or legs, including the ankles. It is due to a buildup of a fluid called lymph.
This is mainly composed of white blood cells, which help fight infection. Lymphedema occurs when there is a blockage or some other damage to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of infection and keep fluids in balance. Lymphedema can result from infections, cancer , and surgical removal of the lymph nodes.
Some hereditary conditions can also cause lymphedema. Damage to the lymphatic system is irreversible, so treatment aims to reduce swelling and prevent other symptoms.
Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood as effectively as it should. There are three different types of heart failure: left-sided, right-sided, and congestive heart failure. In right-sided and congestive heart failure, there is a reduction in blood flow out of the heart, causing blood to back up into the veins. This may lead to a buildup of fluid in tissues, including the legs and ankles.
Heart failure also affects the kidneys , reducing their ability to remove salt and water from the body. Oedema is usually caused by: standing or sitting in the same position for too long eating too much salty food being overweight being pregnant — read about swollen ankles, feet and fingers in pregnancy taking certain medicines — such as some blood pressure medicines, contraceptive pills, antidepressants or steroids Oedema can also be caused by: an injury — such as a strain or sprain an insect bite or sting problems with your kidneys, liver or heart a blood clot an infection Check if you have oedema Symptoms of oedema include: Swollen or puffy ankles, feet or legs.
Do lie down and use pillows to raise the swollen area when you can get some gentle exercise, like walking, to improve your blood flow wear wide, comfortable shoes with a low heel and soft sole wash, dry and moisturise your feet to avoid infections.
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if your ankle, foot or leg is swollen and:. Urgent advice: Get advice from now if:. Other ways to get help A GP may be able to treat you. Ask your GP practice for an urgent appointment.
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