Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a major issue, particularly among people who are old.
Abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ankles and legs can lead to swelling. This fluid accumulation and swelling are known as edema….CONTINUE READING
According to “MedicalNewsToday”, an individual may have swollen legs and ankles for several reasons, such as.
1. Injury to the foot or ankle
An injury to the foot or ankle can lead to swelling in the ankle and lower leg. One of the injuries that mostly occur in this area is a sprained ankle.
This can be the outcome of a simple misstep while walking, indulging in sports activities, or working out. It occurs when the ligaments that link the ankle to the foot and leg are pulled out of alignment.
A sprained ankle can result in pain and limited movement.
2. Pregnancy
It is normal for some foot and ankle swelling to happen when a woman is pregnant, and this can degenerate for persons who spend much time on their feet.
But sudden or chronic swelling in the legs, ankles or feet can be an indication of preeclampsia, a sudden increase in blood pressure that can be precarious for pregnant women and their fetuses.
3. Blood clot
A blood clot in a leg can result in ankle and leg swelling. This may only occur on a particular side of the limb.
There are two major kinds of blood clots. Superficial blood clots happen in a vein closer to the surface of the skin. Deep vein thromboses happen in a vein deeper within the body.
4. Infection
An infection in the feet, ankles or lower legs can result in swelling in the area. Cellulitis is one kind of skin infection that usually affects the lower limbs.
Persons with diabetes have an increased risk of infection in their feet. It is pivotal to inspect the feet always for bruising, cuts, and scrapes.
An individual with diabetes and an untreated infection in a foot or leg may develop gangrene. Gangrene encompass tissues dying due to chronic infection or lowered blood supply.
5. Liver disease
The liver is an important organ in the body that makes albumin, a protein that stops fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and into surrounding tissues. A damaged liver does not make enough albumin. Due to this, fluid can pool in the legs, ankles, and feet.
Several people with liver disease experience no symptoms until chronic liver damage or cirrhosis develops.
6. Kidney disease
The kidney’s major role is to control the amount of water in the body and balance levels of salt and other minerals in the blood.
Diseases can seriously cause harm to the kidneys, preventing them from filtering the blood effectively and removing fluid and other waste products via the urine. This can cause the accumulation of waste in the lower legs and ankles.
7. Heart failure
Heart failure is one of the major causes of swollen legs and ankles.
If the heart cannot efficiently pump blood around the body, blood can accumulate, leading to the swelling known as edema. For persons with heart failure, is common for edema to happen in the lower legs, ankles, and feet….CONTINUE READING
