Legs, ankles, and feet swell when excess fluid is pulled down by gravity and builds up in the lower body. This is called edema and it’s common in older adults and usually happens on both sides of the body. It can be caused by a variety of health conditions including heart failure, kidney disease, gout, and arthritis.

• Additional causes of edema swelling in the ankles of an elderly person: kidney or liver disease, low thyroid, celiac disease and excessive salt/sodium intake. Dr. Teitelbaum is a board certified internist and nationally known expert in the fields of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep and pain.

What causes swollen ankles in elderly?

• Edema. This is the medical term for swelling and it’s characterized by poor circulation within the body, leading to
• Lymphedema. A seldom-recognized part of the circulatory system is the lymphatic system. It is a network of lymphatic
• Gout. Gout occurs due to the accumulation of urate crystals in the joint, causing inflammation

What is swollen ankles a sign of?

Edema in foot and ankle Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be severe enough to leave an indentation (pit) when you press on the area. This swelling (edema) is the result of excess fluid in your tissues — often caused by congestive heart failure or blockage in a leg vein.

What helps swollen ankles in elderly?

Home Care Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down. Exercise your legs. 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.

When should I be concerned about swollen ankles?

Sometimes swelling can indicate a problem such as heart, liver, or kidney disease. 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.

How do you get rid of swollen ankles?

7 Helpful Ways to Reduce Swollen Feet and Ankles Walk it Out. Drink Lots of Water . Sleep on Your Side. Enjoy Some Pool Time. Limit Your Salt . Wear Compression Socks. Elevate Your Feet.

Does walking help swollen ankles?

The best weapon in the fight against swollen legs is a simple one: walking . Getting your legs moving means circulation is improved which will sweep up that collected fluid and get it shifted.

Will drinking more water help with edema?

1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling . When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have.

What are itchy ankles a symptom of?

Fungal infections. A common cause of itchy ankles is athlete’s foot, a type of ringworm fungal infection. Other fungal infections that may affect the ankles are jock itch (another type of ringworm) and yeast infections.

Why would one ankle swell and not another?

View tags. A swollen foot may be caused blood vessel blockage, lymphatic blockage, or trauma from an injury. Other causes of swelling in one foot include skin infections like cellulitis, or ankle arthritis which can also be the cause of one swollen ankle .

Is swollen ankles a sign of heart problems?

Swelling in the Legs, Ankles , or Feet Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem . When your heart doesn’t work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues.

Why is my ankle swollen but no pain?

Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is also known as peripheral edema, which refers to an accumulation of fluid in these parts of the body. The buildup of fluid usually isn’t painful , unless it’s due to injury. Swelling is often more apparent in the lower areas of the body because of gravity.

What to eat to reduce swelling in feet?

Extra water in fruits can reduce foot swelling by flushing out extra water. Other vegetables , like cucumber and asparagus, are natural directs that eliminate water in your body. Drinking lots of water will also help your foot and ankle mobility with less swelling .

Are swollen ankles a sign of diabetes?

Diabetes can also cause edema or swelling in the feet and ankles . Swelling in people with diabetes is usually due to factors associated with diabetes , such as: obesity. poor circulation.

How do you make swelling go down fast?

Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling . It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.

Can sitting cause swollen ankles?

Sitting in one place for too long can cause edema of the legs. Eating food with too much salt can make the problem worse. Congestive heart failure and liver, kidney, and thyroid diseases can cause edema. You cannot catch edema from other people.

What Supplements Help swollen ankles?

Magnesium supplements . It’s possible that adding 200 to 400 mg of magnesium to your daily diet can help limit your water retention and pain.