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What Causes Swelling And Redness Of Ankles And Feet?
Question: My feet began swelling and ankles too about six days ago. I went to my doctor and he gave me water pills but they did not do much to help me. My ankles and feet are still swollen and there is redness now on one of my feet and up past my ankles. No pain really. He did not seem very concerned. I have never had a heart problem or diabetes. I am 75 so I know anything can happen. I have become somewhat very concerned. What should I do?
Brief Answer:
Have second opinion / Get investigated
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
There are several reasons…
If it is on one side – it is local cause
Both sides mean a general (systemic) cause – Heart, Kidney, Liver. Low protein or venous insufficiency
It could be from vasodilation from drugs (like amlodipine – given to teat blood pressure).
Heart, kidney, liver and low albumin (protein deficiency) generally have a lot more other symptoms before the swelling… 10% of the body weight is usually gained before the swelling is manifest
Hence the most probable reason is venous insufficiency…
It could be from block – clot / from legs up - even in the abdomen involving the big veins (Iliac veins, Inferior Vena Cava)
It could be from weakness of the valves (incompetence) / and when only the deep veins are involved varicose veins may not be visible outside
A Doppler study of the veins of lower extremity veins and moving up the abdomen may clinch the diagnosis.
Of course, other things need to be investigated – ECG & ECHO / blood tests for Liver & Kidney function / anaemia and albumin etc - often to exclude than to conclude!?
Take care
Good luck
Have second opinion / Get investigated
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
There are several reasons…
If it is on one side – it is local cause
Both sides mean a general (systemic) cause – Heart, Kidney, Liver. Low protein or venous insufficiency
It could be from vasodilation from drugs (like amlodipine – given to teat blood pressure).
Heart, kidney, liver and low albumin (protein deficiency) generally have a lot more other symptoms before the swelling… 10% of the body weight is usually gained before the swelling is manifest
Hence the most probable reason is venous insufficiency…
It could be from block – clot / from legs up - even in the abdomen involving the big veins (Iliac veins, Inferior Vena Cava)
It could be from weakness of the valves (incompetence) / and when only the deep veins are involved varicose veins may not be visible outside
A Doppler study of the veins of lower extremity veins and moving up the abdomen may clinch the diagnosis.
Of course, other things need to be investigated – ECG & ECHO / blood tests for Liver & Kidney function / anaemia and albumin etc - often to exclude than to conclude!?
Take care
Good luck
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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