Swollen ankles can cause discomfort, itchiness, and sometimes pain. Here, we walk you through the various reasons and how to treat swollen ankles.
For both you and your loved one, having swollen ankles can be perplexing and even upsetting. Ankle swelling can cause discomfort, itchiness, and sometimes pain. Patients may find it difficult to dress and put on shoes, and they may feel deformed and fear that their condition won’t go away.
What is the problem’s cause? Are you serious? What can be done to improve it, then?
You have a lot of questions about what to do if this fear arises, which is understandable. You’re probably looking for quick solutions to your swollen ankles.
What causes ankle swelling, how to treat it, and when to seek further assistance and care are all covered in this article. So, you’ll be prepared to respond appropriately the next time your loved one feels it.
What is Swollen Ankles?
Don’t freak out if a loved one’s ankles are swollen. This problem is widespread and affects plenty of senior citizens. It’s crucial to keep an eye on it, but it’s not always a sign of a serious health problem.
Lower extremity edema is a common term used by medical professionals. Your legs, ankles, and feet are referred to as your lower extremities, and edema is the medical name for swelling.
These difficulties frequently manifest physically in our lower extremities, whether as a result of dietary changes, physical activity changes, or even weather changes.
So that you can determine the most likely causes of your loved one’s condition, let’s look at some of the typical causes of swollen ankles. Then, we’ll look at some effective treatments for swollen ankles.
What triggers ankle swelling?
Swollen ankles may appear to be an odd, even enigmatic, symptom, yet it is frequently caused by some quite usual problems.
We’ll outline some of the typical reasons of ankle swell for you and demonstrate when it’s appropriate to seek medical attention.
In general, a buildup of fluid in this area of the body is what commonly causes ankle edema. Things like— are frequently to blame for this extra fluid.
- enduring prolonged durations of standing or sitting in the same position
- taking in a lot of salty food
- adverse effect of some drugs, particularly those that lower blood pressure, steroids, and antidepressants, is being overweight.
Other, graver factors that contribute to ankle edema are:
- Bug stings and bites
- Blood clots Injuries to this area of the body, such as sprains or strains
- Infections
- any conditions affecting the heart, liver, or kidneys
The feet can be affected by ankle swelling, and swollen areas frequently seem glossy or discolored. It can cause the person to feel tight and stiff in this area. Your fingertips will frequently leave an indentation imprint on the swollen skin if you press against it; this mark typically takes a few seconds to vanish.
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Both older folks and pregnant women frequently experience ankle swelling.
How Serious are Swollen Ankles?
The quick response is: occasionally.
While swollen ankles are a typical problem for elderly people, they can also be a sign of underlying medical disorders that may require attention and treatment from a physician.
When taking care of an aging loved one, it’s vital to keep an eye out for sudden changes and to speak with their healthcare specialists if you have any questions or concerns. This goes for any changes you detect as well. Always choose safety over regret.
It’s critical to constantly monitor this problem as it manifests because swollen ankles can be a sign of problems with the heart, kidneys, or liver.
You should get medical help. If the ankle swelling in your loved one doesn’t go away after trying the remedies we’ll go over in the next section, or if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like—
respiratory issues or lack of breath
chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
fever
- If the legs and ankles of your loved one are red and heated to the touch
- when the edema becomes worse
If your loved one’s abdomen is swollen Additionally, you should also let their doctor know if they have known pre-existing health issues such as:
- liver illness
- kidney disease
- Heart condition (including issues like congestive heart failure)
It’s crucial to exercise caution when helping a loved one manage swelling ankles. You are in a unique position to collaborate with them to choose the best course of treatment since you have a thorough grasp of them.
Swollen ankles are frequently efficiently treated at home without the need for a trip to the doctor. Let’s look at some of your go-to home remedies for handling this situation.
What Are Some Treatments For Swollen Ankles?
Fortunately, there are a number of natural treatments that may be used to treat swollen ankles in older persons and are frequently highly successful in doing so.
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