Common Causes
Swollen ankles can be caused by pregnancy, heart disease & overuse. Read below on swollen ankles or swelling of one ankle causes and treatment. We will also review the difference between one vs both ankles swelling.
Related Conditions
Swelling in the legs, feet and ankles can be caused by varicose veins in a condition known as phlebolymphoedema. If you find that the swelling in your legs is chronic and you have varicose veins, it’s worth talking to your doctor about it as it can be reversed. Do ankle and foot varicose veins have to be treated?
What causes swollen ankles&what can you do about it?
If you have swelling in one leg, along with pain, low-grade fever, and possibly a change in color of the affected leg, call your doctor immediately. Treatment with blood thinners may be necessary. Learn more about deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Can varicose veins cause swelling in the ankles?
Swollen Ankles and Feet. If you experience severe swelling or swelling accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, headaches, infrequent urination, nausea and vomiting, or vision changes, call your doctor immediately.
What should I do if I have swelling in one leg?
When to go to the doctor for ankle swelling?
Can vein issues cause ankle swelling?
If you are experiencing a chronic swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, vein disease might be to blame. Venous edema is the term for this swelling when vein issues cause it. Over 90% of swollen legs are due to vein health, so chances are, if you have been experiencing this, the cause is venous insufficiency.
How do I reduce the swelling in my feet and veins?
Other ways to alleviate swollen feet include:drinking plenty of water.wearing compression socks or stockings.soaking the feet in cool water.raising the feet above the heart regularly.staying active.losing weight if overweight.eating a healthful diet and being mindful of salt intake.massaging the feet.More items...
How do doctors treat swollen ankles?
Mild edema usually goes away on its own, particularly if you help things along by raising the affected limb higher than your heart. More-severe edema may be treated with drugs that help your body expel excess fluid in the form of urine (diuretics). One of the most common diuretics is furosemide (Lasix).
How do you treat swollen veins?
Lifestyle and home remediesExercise. Get moving. ... Manage weight. Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off the veins.Avoid salt. Follow a low-salt diet to prevent swelling caused from water retention.Choose proper footwear. ... Avoid tight clothing. ... Raise the legs. ... Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.
What causes a vein to swell?
As blood pressure in your vein increases, the weakened walls allow your vein to get bigger. As your vein stretches, the valves that keep blood moving in one direction in your vein can't work like they should. Sluggish blood backs up or pools in your vein, causing your vein to swell, bulge and twist.
What happens if varicose veins are left untreated?
If left untreated, varicose veins usually result in excess blood leaking into the tissues of the leg. The patient will experience painful swelling and inflammation as parts of their skin become dark and discolored. This condition is known ashyperpigmentation.
Can swollen ankles be serious?
Although swelling of the feet and ankles can be a minor problem, it can also be an indication of more serious illnesses such as heart failure, renal failure, or liver failure. The abnormal buildup of fluid in the body is called edema.
What is the most common 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.
Does walking help swollen ankles?
Simple lifestyle changes — such as exercise and weight loss — also can help reduce or prevent swelling while also improving your overall health, says Dr. Botek. She suggested activities such as walking and swimming.
What happens if your vein is swollen?
Superficial thrombophlebitis is an inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin, which results from a blood clot. This condition may occur after recently using an IV line, or after trauma to the vein. Some symptoms can include pain and tenderness along the vein and hardening and feeling cord-like.
How can I improve my vein health?
Healthy VeinsFocus on staying active. If you have a desk job, get up regularly and walk around a bit to get the blood pumping.Stay hydrated. ... Eat healthy. Fruits and vegetables are great for circulation and the health of vein walls.Don't smoke. ... Use compression. ... Seek treatment.
What does a vein specialist do?
Vein specialists are trained to recognize symptoms of venous disorders and problems with the circulatory system. Through a comprehensive exam and evaluation, and by utilizing a variety of diagnostic screenings and tests, they can help determine what is causing your symptoms.
What is the problem with swollen ankles?
These are blood clots that form deep in your veins, and if not treated correctly, can move to your lungs and morph into a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
Why does my ankle swell?
This happens because extra weight puts extra pressure on your veins, which makes it more difficult for them to do their job and properly pump the blood back up to your heart.
How to heal a sprained ankle?
According to the American Orthopeadic Foot & Ankle Society, a few tips for soothing a sprained ankle include wearing an ankle brace, applying ice or a compression wrap to the hurt ankle, and elevating your leg. It’s also important to give yourself enough time to rest while you recover from a sprained ankle.
What happens if your veins are damaged?
When your veins are damaged and unable to pump blood back up to your heart, there are many things that can occur, including swelling in your ankles. If you think you may have vein issues, contact a vein specialist as soon as possible to schedule a visit. This is the type of issue you don’t want to put off and is much better if you catch it earlier rather than later.
Can birth control cause swollen ankles?
It’s no secret that many medications come with a slew of potential side effects, one of which may be swollen ankles. This happens most commonly with antidepressants and birth control pills with estrogen, as well as testosterone pills.
Why do my legs swell up?
Being overweight or working at a job that requires you to stand for long periods throughout the day, for example, may make swelling worse. Ankle swelling that occurs as a result of varicose veins is often worse after you’ve been standing for long periods of time, as this is when the force of gravity is strongest in the lower legs and your veins are forced to work harder to pump blood towards the heart. After you’ve been sitting or lying down with your legs elevated, there’s less gravity for your veins to deal with, and the swelling will often subside.
Can a stasis ulcer cause swollen legs?
Venous stasis ulcers will also cause the lower legs to swell, and they’re usually accompanied by other symptoms such as hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin color) of the legs, as well as moderate to severe pain.
Can varicose veins cause sores?
Varicose veins can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild pain to open sores. Unfortunately, ankle swelling is a common symptom of varicose veins and can signal a more serious underlying problem.
Why do my ankles swell?
12 causes of swollen ankles. There are many different causes of swollen ankles. In most cases, swelling is due to injury or edema. The term edema means swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid. It is particularly common in the lower leg, ankles, and feet.
What is it called when your limbs are swollen after a DVT?
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. People who experience a DVT should consider: elevating the affected limb.
What is the swelling of the arm called?
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.
How does DVT affect the heart?
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.
What is the most common type of edema?
The most common type of edema is from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). CVI is a condition that affects the valves in the leg veins. These valves usually make sure that blood flows toward the heart. In CVI, however, the valves malfunction and allow some of the blood to flow backward and pool in the lower legs and ankles.
Why does my foot swell?
A person may experience inflammation due to an injury on the ankle or foot. People who sustain an injury to the foot or ankle may experience inflammation in that area, causing it to appear swollen. An ankle sprain is one of the most common foot injuries.
Does heart failure cause edema?
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. This further contributes to edema. Although there is no cure for heart failure, there are many different treatment options.
Why do veins swell?
Generally, this is due to age, genetics or an underlying health condition. Blood does not normally throughout the circulatory system, therefore resulting in it backing up or pooling in your veins. Furthermore, without treatment, veins can become swollen and discoloured.
How to tell if you have varicose veins in your ankles?
Symptoms of varicose veins in ankles and feet. Numbness in feet. Painful ankles and feet. Throbbing, itching and burning in feet and ankles. Redness, swelling, tenderness around feet and ankles. Ulceration or broken skin around feet and ankles. Restless or heavy legs and frequent cramping.
Why is exercise good for veins?
Keeping the muscles active helps your body move everything around more and get fluid out of built-up areas , while a long-term benefit of regular exercise is weight loss, which reduces the strain on your veins and joints. Learn more: Exercise & varicose veins: everything you need to know. Compression stockings – Wearing medical-grade compression ...
What happens if you don't treat varicose veins?
Below are examples of complications that can occur: Blood clots in legs and other parts of the body. Venous eczema.
Why do my legs swell up?
Swelling in the legs, feet and ankles can be caused by varicose veins in a condition known as phlebolymphoedema. If you find that the swelling in your legs is chronic and you have varicose veins, it’s worth talking to your doctor about it as it can be reversed.
What is the cause of varicose veins in 2021?
Although varicose veins are most commonly associated with legs and calves, the underlying cause of the condition – venous insufficiency – can affect your feet and ankles as well. It’s a common issue experienced by thousands of people, ...
Does grape seed help with veins?
These contain flavonoids which have been shown to help to support vein health. Supplements – take grape seed extract, Vitis vinifera, studies suggest it can reduce swelling in the lower legs and alleviate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency.
What Causes Leg Swelling?
Swollen legs are a very common symptom seen in patients with venous disease. Malfunctioning valves within the veins allow blood to pool, increasing the pressure within the veins.
How Do You Treat Leg Swelling Due to Venous Disease?
In order to treat a patient’s leg swelling, a doctor must first determine the cause. The underlying condition must be treated to relieve any symptoms, and what works for swelling caused by venous insufficiency will not necessarily work for swelling caused by other conditions.
What causes swelling in the lower leg?
Edema typically causes swelling first in the area around the ankle bones and then spreads to the lower legs, calves and feet. Those that suffer painful swollen legs and ankles from edema , the swelling may be constant or it could vary throughout the day. In cases of constant edema , lymphedema may also be a contributing factor.
Why do my legs swell up?
What Causes Swelling in the Legs? An abnormal buildup of fluid in tissues called edema is what causes swelling in the legs. In some cases, edema that results in painful swollen legs and ankles can be caused by lymphatic dysfunction. In other cases, edema can result from long-standing venous reflux, a venous disease that causes spider veins ...
Why do veins bulge?
Bulging and swollen veins may appear in cases of edema caused by venous reflux. These veins typically resemble varicose veins, which are twisted veins that bulge near the surface. In other cases, edema caused by venous reflux can occur without the appearance of bulging veins.
When is swelling less visible in the morning?
Since swelling often decreases with leg elevation, it may be less visible in the morning, after a night of rest, and more visible in the evening, after a day of sitting, standing, and walking. Request an Appointment.
Can edema cause varicose veins?
In other cases, edema can result from long-standing venous reflux, a venous disease that causes spider veins and varicose veins and can lead to more serious conditions, such as skin discoloration or venous ulcers.
How to reduce swelling in ankle?
To reduce the swelling from a foot or ankle injury, rest to avoid walking on the injured ankle or foot, use ice packs, wrap the foot or ankle with compression bandage, and elevate the foot on a stool or pillow. If swelling and pain is severe or doesn't improve with home treatment, see your doctor.
What to do if you have swelling in one leg?
If you have swelling in one leg, along with pain, low-grade fever, and possibly a change in color of the affected leg, call your doctor immediately. Treatment with blood thinners may be necessary. Learn more about deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Heart, liver, or kidney disease.
What happens if you have venous insufficiency?
If you experience signs of venous insufficiency you should see your doctor. Find out more about chronic venous insufficiency. Infection. Swelling in the feet and ankles can be a sign of infection .
Why do my ankles swell in the evening?
Ankles that swell in the evening could be a sign of retaining salt and water because of right-sided heart failure. Kidney disease can also cause foot and ankle swelling.
Why do my ankles swell?
Swelling of the ankles and feet is often an early symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition in which blood inadequately moves up the veins from the legs and feet up to the heart. Normally, the veins keep blood flowing upward with one-way valves.
What causes swelling in the ankle during pregnancy?
Learn more about managing a high-risk pregnancy. Foot or ankle injury. An injury to the foot or ankle can lead to swelling. The most common is a sprained ankle, which occurs when an injury or misstep causes the ligaments that hold the ankle in place to be stretched beyond their normal range. To reduce the swelling from a foot or ankle injury, rest ...
What causes fluid to accumulate in the feet and ankles?
Gravity causes fluid to accumulate more in the feet and ankles, but fluid can also accumulate in the abdomen and chest. 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.
Treatment
There are some home remedies that may help alleviate some of the symptoms associated with swollen feet and ankles.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you have experienced swelling in your feet and ankles for more than one month, you should see a healthcare provider to have an examination and evaluation to diagnose any underlying causes.
Summary
Swelling in the ankles can result from a variety of different causes and can be managed at home through the use of compression stockings, elevation, monitoring sodium and water intake, diuretic supplements, lymphatic drainage massage, Epsom salts, and changing your medication.
A Word From Verywell
Other than avoiding injury, swelling in the ankles is best prevented by staying active and exercising regularly to maintain good circulation. If you sit or stand for long periods of time, it is helpful to take periodic breaks to walk, which allows the leg muscles to contract and improve blood flow.