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What Causes Swelling In Ankles?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Jul 2014
Question: For the last two years I have swollen ankles after getting up in the morning.
The only medication I'm on is half of a 25Mg of Atenolol daily for high blood pressure.
No doctors seem to give me a solution.
I do exercise,watch my salt intake,try to lower my weight (about 20 lbs over weight)
What do you suggest? Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (28 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may be venous disease

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

There are different possible causes for bilateral swelling of the lower limbs but one of the most common causes is venous disease.
There are 2 sets of veins in the legs, the superficial veins (close under the skin) and the deep set of veins.

Normally blood goes from the superficial veins into the deep veins and from there back up to the heart. There are valves that prevent the blood from going back from the deep to superficial veins.

As persons age and sometimes due to injury or stress to the valves , these valves don't work as they should and blood goes backward into the superficial veins.
This causes swelling of the legs after standing and also causes varicose veins.

The treatment includes: (1)elevating legs as suggested
(2)varicose vein stockings if the swelling is signficant
(3)in severe cases ,if it is associated with significant varicose veins then surgery is an option

There are other causes of swelling such as : side effect of medication (not atenolol), heart ,kidney or liver disease.
Diseases of the heart, kidney or liver would normally be associated with additional symptoms and also your routine bloods would show a problem (for kidney and liver)

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Swelling In Ankles?

Brief Answer: may be venous disease Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic There are different possible causes for bilateral swelling of the lower limbs but one of the most common causes is venous disease. There are 2 sets of veins in the legs, the superficial veins (close under the skin) and the deep set of veins. Normally blood goes from the superficial veins into the deep veins and from there back up to the heart. There are valves that prevent the blood from going back from the deep to superficial veins. As persons age and sometimes due to injury or stress to the valves , these valves don't work as they should and blood goes backward into the superficial veins. This causes swelling of the legs after standing and also causes varicose veins. The treatment includes: (1)elevating legs as suggested (2)varicose vein stockings if the swelling is signficant (3)in severe cases ,if it is associated with significant varicose veins then surgery is an option There are other causes of swelling such as : side effect of medication (not atenolol), heart ,kidney or liver disease. Diseases of the heart, kidney or liver would normally be associated with additional symptoms and also your routine bloods would show a problem (for kidney and liver) I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions