Foot And Ankle Swelling Is Not As Simple Because Drinking Too Much Water
Swelling is called edema in medical terms, and it is more common in the ankle area. Many people think that the foot and ankle swelling is caused by drinking too much water, but it is not the answer.
If the swelling is not treated, the swollen ankle will become painful, it will be difficult to walk, the joints will be stiff, and the skin will be stretched. Worse still, swelling or signs of blood clots, infections, or even heart problems.
Sitting or standing all day
If your job requires standing (or sitting) for a long time, then foot and ankle swelling is a natural phenomenon. When you move around, the muscles involved in the exercise help you pump body fluids and blood into and out of your limbs.
However, without the help of muscles in motion, blood and body fluids will collect in the foot and ankles.
Side effects of pregnancy
Among the changes experienced by pregnant women during pregnancy, swelling of the foot and ankle may be the most common, this is mainly due to the excess blood and body fluids produced by women during pregnancy that soften the body and help it expand as the baby grows.
Changes in hormone function and extra pressure on the veins can cause swelling of the foot and ankle during pregnancy.
Injuries
When you hit a table or sprained your foot and ankle, injuries are a common cause of swelling of your foot and ankle. When an foot and ankle is injured, the body sends extra blood to this area.
This not brings healing cells only, but causes swelling also, which keeps the injured joint immobile. In the case of an injury, the swelling may also be accompanied by redness or bruising
Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis include joint swelling, pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving. This disease is very common in the elderly and affects joints throughout the body, including the ankle. The inflammation associated with arthritis causes joint swelling.
Signs of a blood clot
One of the most shocking causes of swelling around the ankle is a blood clot, If the swelling on one side continues to spread upward, it needs to be checked in time. In some cases, blood clots can enter the lungs and cause life-threatening pulmonary embolism.
If you notice other signs of a blood clot (such as pain, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, redness or discoloration of the skin), visit the emergency department immediately.
Venous work is inefficient
Venous insufficiency will affect blood circulation back to the heart, allowing blood to retention in the foot and ankles. Over time, the extension function of the one-way valve of the vein deteriorates, resulting in fluid leakage.
This happens when the valve is damaged or weakened due to aging or sedentary sitting, and it is more common in middle-aged and elderly women over 50.
It may also be a symptom of a heart problem
Patients with congestive heart failure (caused by coronary heart disease or high blood pressure) have at least one ventricle unable to pump blood normally. If the heart cannot pump enough fluid, the fluid will flow back. This condition usually occurs in the foot and ankles, causing swelling.
In more severe cases, it can extend up to the leg. Other symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat, persistent coughing, and chest pain.
Liver or kidney problems
Insufficiency of the kidneys and liver will affect the body fluid content, causing fluid retention, leading to swelling of the ankle joint.
In the case of kidney damage or kidney disease, the kidneys either leave too much fluid and sodium, or there is not enough protein in the blood, which can cause fluid to collect in the lower extremities.
When kidney function fails, swelling and tenderness can affect the entire leg below the knee. Liver disease also involves low protein levels in the blood, causing fluid to leak, leading to swelling of the lower limbs.
Infected
Although untreated wounds around the foot and ankle can infect the inside of the joint, any bacteria that enters the bloodstream may eventually enter the joint. The most obvious signs of infection are swelling, tenderness, fever, and redness.
Septic arthritis
Infants and the elderly are particularly susceptible to septic arthritis, that is, inflammation of the joints caused by bacterial or fungal infections, accompanied by redness, pain, and fever.
In addition, some skin diseases (such as cellulitis, a rapidly spreading bacterial infection that makes the skin look red and blistered) can also cause swelling in the ankle area because it often appears in the calf of adults.
Lymphedema
The lymphatic system transports lymph fluid (containing white blood cells and waste products) throughout the body. However, for patients with lymphedema, their lymphatic system is damaged or blocked, causing lymphatic fluid to accumulate in the distal limbs.
Although certain cancers (and cancer treatments) can cause lymphedema, infections can also stimulate swelling. Symptoms of lymphedema also include feeling heavy or tight in the arms or legs, unable to move normally, repeated infections, hardened or thickened skin, and difficulty sleeping.
Weight gain
There are two reasons for swollen foot and ankles in overweight and obese people. First, the extra weight applied around the joints can cause fluid retention around the joints.
In addition, the storage of excessive hormones in excess fat cells can also cause changes in hormone function, resulting in fluid retention.
Taking certain medications
Due to the complex interaction of medications, they may cause swelling of the foot and ankle. Certain medicines can cause fluid retention.
Some blood pressure drugs, anti-inflammatory steroids, and even non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) have such side effects. Estrogen and some antidepressants can also cause foot and ankle swelling.
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