Swollen feet and ankles affect millions of people, but the underlying causes range from benign to serious. Understanding what triggers this swelling helps you know when to contact a doctor.
Dr. Shari Lipner, a podiatrist at Cornell Medicine, explains that swelling often results from fluid accumulation in the tissues. Salt intake, prolonged standing, and pregnancy commonly cause mild swelling that resolves with rest and elevation.
More persistent swelling warrants medical attention. Venous insufficiency, where leg veins fail to pump blood effectively back to the heart, produces chronic ankle and foot swelling. This condition affects circulation and can worsen without treatment.
Kidney disease also causes noticeable swelling, particularly in the feet and face. When kidneys cannot filter excess fluid properly, fluid builds up in body tissues. Similarly, liver disease impairs the body's ability to regulate fluid balance, leading to swelling in the lower extremities.
Heart failure ranks among the more serious causes. When the heart weakens, it cannot pump blood efficiently, causing fluid to pool in the legs and feet. Patients with heart failure often notice swelling worsens as the day progresses.
Infections like cellulitis produce rapid, painful swelling. This bacterial skin infection requires immediate antibiotic treatment to prevent complications.
Certain medications trigger swelling as a side effect. Blood pressure medications like calcium channel blockers, steroids, and some diabetes drugs can cause fluid retention in the feet and ankles.
Lymphedema, caused by damaged or removed lymph nodes, impairs the body's fluid drainage system. Cancer patients undergoing lymph node removal frequently experience this condition.
Dr. Lipner recommends tracking when swelling occurs and what makes it better or worse. Note whether one or both feet swell, if pain accompanies the swelling, and whether pressing on the skin leaves