Diseases & Conditions
Why are my ankles swollen?
Ask the doctors
Q. Over the last few months, I've noticed my ankles get really swollen by the end of the day. Why could this be happening?
A. You're describing edema, which happens twice as often in women than men. It happens when fluid backs up in the small blood vessels of the lower legs, ankles, or feet and pools in surrounding tissues.
Often, edema develops when you sit or stand in one place for a long time, but it can also be a sign of a more serious problem. The most common cause is chronic venous insufficiency (malfunctioning valves in the veins), which also causes varicose veins. But edema can also be caused by more serious conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in leg veins), or impaired heart, liver, or kidney function. Less commonly, lymphedema (a blockage in lymph channels) is the underlying reason for leg swelling. Besides being a woman, other risk factors for developing edema include pregnancy, obesity, hormonal changes, certain medications, and age.
If you are prone to edema, prolonged sitting or standing in one place will tend to make it worse. However, persistent edema isn't something you should ignore. See your doctor to determine its cause. In the meantime, you can help ease ankle swelling by staying physically active and elevating your legs several times a day. Decreasing salt intake can also help.
Image: © Nature/Getty Images
About the Authors
Toni Golen, MD, Editor in Chief, Harvard Women's Health Watch; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing; Contributor
Hope Ricciotti, MD, Editor at Large, Harvard Women's Health Watch
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