5 Causes of Swelling in Your Feet & Ankles
Severe swelling in the feet and ankles can be a sign of an injury or disease. Patients with diabetes should be especially careful to check their feet for any cuts or blisters that could lead to infection. Some minor foot and ankle swelling can also be a normal reaction to being on your feet all day at work or from playing sports or exercising. If you are concerned about excessive swelling in your feet and ankles see your foot doctor for the proper diagnosis.
5 common causes of foot and ankle swelling include the following:
Ankle sprains and strains—Twisting your ankle can cause a sprain that damages the tendons and soft tissue causing severe swelling, pain, and discomfort.
Fluid retention (edema)—Fluid retention in the soft tissues underneath the skin occurs more frequently as you age and may be exacerbated by high salt intake in the diet.
Systemic disease—Problems with your kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and circulatory system can cause swelling in your extremities.
Being overweight—Carrying a lot of extra pounds increases the stress and pressure on your feet and ankles along with swelling and pain.
Side effects of certain medications—Blood pressure meds, antidepressants, and hormone replacement therapy meds can cause ankle and foot swelling.
Swelling that doesn’t decrease after a day of resting could be a sign of a serious injury or other problems requiring the assistance of your foot doctor. At E.J. Nemet Podiatry in Twinsburg, E.J. Nemet, DPM, treats a variety of foot and ankle conditions, including sports injuries, pediatric foot problems, diabetic foot complications, nerve disorders, and toenail and skin conditions. With advanced technologies and dedicated staff, Dr. Nemet provides expert and compassionate care to patients in the Twinsburg and Beachwood areas. To contact us or to schedule an appointment, please call (234) 212-9940.