Can your ankles swell from standing

During long plane or car rides , as well as during your work day at your desk, remember to get up and move around frequently. Are you experiencing foot, ankle or leg swelling? Our experts can help. Previous Next. View Larger Image. Occasional swelling of your lower extremities can be caused by everything from salty food to standing too long. Home Care Some tips that may help reduce swelling: Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.

Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart. Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling. Wear support stockings sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores. When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.

Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs. Lose weight if you need to. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call or the local emergency number if: You feel short of breath. You have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness.

Call your provider right away if: You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse. You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen. Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.

You have a fever. You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling. Also call your provider if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will take a medical history and do a thorough physical examination, paying special attention to your heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes, legs, and feet.

Preeclampsia is characterized by dangerously high blood pressure and protein in the urine. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including headaches , changes in vision, weight gain, and edema. It requires urgent medical treatment. Treatment may include medications to prevent seizures and lower blood pressure.

Delivering the baby is the most effective treatment, although some women may experience worsening symptoms before they get better. Lymphedema is a type of swelling that affects the soft tissues in the arms or legs, including the ankles. It is due to a buildup of a fluid called lymph. This is mainly composed of white blood cells, which help fight infection.

Lymphedema occurs when there is a blockage or some other damage to the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of infection and keep fluids in balance. Lymphedema can result from infections, cancer , and surgical removal of the lymph nodes.

Some hereditary conditions can also cause lymphedema. Damage to the lymphatic system is irreversible, so treatment aims to reduce swelling and prevent other symptoms. Heart failure occurs when the heart can no longer pump blood as effectively as it should. There are three different types of heart failure: left-sided, right-sided, and congestive heart failure. In right-sided and congestive heart failure, there is a reduction in blood flow out of the heart, causing blood to back up into the veins.

This may lead to a buildup of fluid in tissues, including the legs and ankles. Heart failure also affects the kidneys , reducing their ability to remove salt and water from the body. This further contributes to edema. A doctor may prescribe diuretic medications and suggest monitoring and reducing fluid intake. Both of these treatments can help reduce swelling in the ankles and legs.

Chronic kidney disease refers to permanent kidney damage, which can worsen over time. A person may not experience any symptoms until they are in the late stages of the disease, called kidney failure or end-stage renal disease ESRD.

During ESRD, the kidneys struggle to remove waste and extra fluid from the body. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including swollen ankles. Basically, you give your circulatory system a little assistance by letting gravity do its thing. Best of all, the process is simple.

Various yoga poses — such as lying on the floor with your legs raised and pressed against the wall — can also help. Fans of Epsom salt baths talk glowingly of the restorative power brought by a to minute tub soak. The fancy title for this treatment, by the way, is transdermal magnesium supplementation. Is there a ton of science behind the claims of how Epsom salt reduces inflammation and draws out toxins?

Not really… but people swear by it. Many doctors promote it, too, given its ease of use, low cost and minimal risk. Water retention and the accompanying swelling can be a sign of a magnesium deficiency, notes Dr.

In that case, adding magnesium-rich foods to your diet could be a tasty solution to your painful problem. Supplements offer another way to get a boost of magnesium. Taking mg to mg of magnesium a day may help reduce swelling, Dr. Botek said. Talk to your doctor before taking the supplement, though — especially if you have a kidney or heart condition.