When should I be concerned about swollen feet and ankles?

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if: you have swelling in 1 ankle, foot or leg and there's no obvious cause, such as an injury. the swelling is severe, painful or starts very suddenly. the swollen area is red or feels hot to the touch.

When should I see a doctor for swollen feet and ankles?

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.

Can swollen feet and 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.

When should you go to the hospital for swollen feet and legs?

Seek medical care right away if your legs swell for no apparent reason, especially if you have unexplained leg pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain or other warning signs of a blood clot in your lungs or a heart condition.

How do you know if swelling is serious?

What Causes Ankles

What happens if edema is left untreated?

Edema left untreated can cause skin stretching to a point of pruritus and discomfort accompanied by painful swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Swollen areas are at increased risk of skin ulcers and infection.

What does swollen legs and feet indicate?

Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs. Edema can be the result of medication, pregnancy or an underlying disease — often congestive heart failure, kidney disease or cirrhosis of the liver.

Is edema in the legs life threatening?

Swelling in the legs and ankles can be normal in some cases, but if it is sudden, unexplained, or accompanied by additional symptoms, contact a healthcare professional. Some health issues that result in this swelling can be life-threatening without treatment.

How can you tell if your ankle is swollen and your heart is related?

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.

Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles?

Causes of swollen ankles

This is caused by a whole range of things which include: High blood pressure. High salt intake.

What might swollen ankles indicate?

Venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency occurs when a person's blood cannot flow around the body properly. This is due to damaged valves causing blood to leak down the vessels and fluid retention in the lower legs, particularly around the feet and ankles. Signs of venous insufficiency include: achy legs.

Can dehydration cause swollen feet?

“Usually, individuals who suffer from heaviness and leg swelling make the mistake of not drinking enough water – says Dr. Marco Setti, Head of Vascular Surgery at Humanitas Gavazzeni. Instead, it is necessary to introduce fluids into the body by eating lots of vegetables and fruits as well as drinking natural water.

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 can doctors prescribe for swollen feet?

How long does it take for edema to go away?

Swelling normally lasts for a few days. In the first two days, you will experience the most swelling, and it should start to reduce by the third day. Following treatment from your healthcare provider reduces the amount of swelling you might experience.

What medications cause swollen feet?

What are the 4 stages of congestive heart failure?

Do swollen ankles always mean heart failure?

"Signs like ankle swelling or weight gain do not necessarily mean you have heart disease, but taken together with other symptoms of heart disease, laboratory studies, and family history, they are an important part of making a diagnosis of heart disease or heart failure," says Carl E.

What stage of heart failure is edema?

Patients in the end stages of heart failure want to know what to expect. The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking.

Can edema be reversed?

The back-up of blood from these conditions causes pressure, which forces fluid from tiny capillaries in the area and into the surrounding tissues. These types of edema cannot be cured, so the goal is management. Exercise, particularly involving the affected limbs, can help veins return blood to the heart.

How do I get rid of fluid in my legs and feet?

What causes legs to swell from knees down?

Common causes of leg swelling include salt retention, cellulitis, congestive heart failure, venous insufficiency, pregnancy, and medication side effects.

What kind of doctor should I see for swollen feet and legs?

If you experience swelling that does not go away on its own, make an appointment to see your primary doctor. If the issue doesn't improve, ask your doctor for a referral to a vascular specialist.

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.

How do you get rid of severe edema?

Treatment of edema includes several components: treatment of the underlying cause (if possible), reducing the amount of salt (sodium) in your diet, and, in many cases, use of a medication called a diuretic to eliminate excess fluid. Using compression stockings and elevating the legs may also be recommended.