swelling feet ankles causes
Swollen ankles and feet. Swollen ankles and swollen feet are common and are often caused by fluid retention, or oedema. The cause of the swelling can range from an injury to medical conditions. Seek medical advice if you are concerned about swollen feet or ankles.
Swelling of the feet and ankles is a result of fluid buildup within the tissues and muscles. In healthy persons, foot swelling occurs occasionally and resolves spontaneously after resting and elevating the feet.
Blood clot. Blood clots that form in the veins of the legs can stop the return flow of blood from the legs back up to the heart and cause swelling in the ankles and feet. Blood clots can be either superficial (occurring in the veins just beneath the skin), or deep (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis).
But feet and ankles that stay swollen or are accompanied by other symptoms could signal a serious health problem. WebMD looks at some possible causes of foot and ankle swelling and offers advice on when to call the doctor. Pregnancy complications. Some swelling of the ankles and feet is normal during pregnancy.
The swelling is caused by too much fluid in the tissue, which is called edema.. Swollen feet, legs and ankles are a very common problem that usually doesn't require treatment. For example, gravity often pulls fluid down into the feet when you've been walking all day. This swelling usually goes away by the next day.