There are many potential causes of foot, leg, and ankle swelling. In most cases, swelling occurs as a result of certain lifestyle factors, such as: Being overweight. Excess body mass can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the feet, legs, and ankles.
Does losing weight help ankle swelling?
Tips to reduce ankle and foot swelling
Simple lifestyle changes — such as exercise and weight loss — also can help reduce or prevent swelling while also improving your overall health, says Dr. Botek. She suggested activities such as walking and swimming.
How do you get rid of swollen ankles fast?
7 Helpful Ways to Reduce Swollen Feet and Ankles
- Walk it Out. …
- Drink Lots of Water. …
- Sleep on Your Side. …
- Enjoy Some Pool Time. …
- Limit Your Salt. …
- Wear Compression Socks. …
- Elevate Your Feet.
What does it mean when your ankles are puffy?
Sometimes swelling can indicate a problem such as heart, liver, or kidney disease. Ankles that swell in the evening could be a sign of retaining salt and water because of right-sided heart failure. Kidney disease can also cause foot and ankle swelling.
Does being overweight affect your ankles?
Being overweight and obese, places increased pressure on your feet, ankles and lower limbs, which makes you more likely to experience arthritis, foot pain and skin problems on the feet.
Can obesity cause fluid retention in legs?
Conclusion. Severe obesity can result in insidious fluid retention, which can be easily overlooked until large volumes of fluid have accumulated.
Can obesity cause swelling?
This is due to the fact that excess fat increases the body’s production of lymph (so there is more to contend with in the first place), and can also promote venous insufficiency, a condition that in itself causes swelling.
What medications can cause swollen ankles?
These 7 Medications Can Cause Puffy Legs and Ankles
- First, how do you determine the cause of swelling? Gradual swelling in your legs and feet might not be obvious. …
- 1) Amlodipine. …
- 2) Gabapentin. …
- 3) Pregabalin. …
- 4) NSAIDs. …
- 5) Oral contraceptives. …
- 6) Oral steroids. …
- 7) Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone.
What foods cause feet to swell?
Foods that can cause inflammation
- Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. When there’s too much sugar in our system, our insulin tries to store the excess within fat cells, causing them to get larger. …
- Artificial trans fats. …
- Vegetable and seed oils. …
- Refined carbohydrates. …
- Alcohol. …
- Red meat and processed meat.
Will drinking more water help with edema?
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day
Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have. This contributes to swelling.
What causes fat ankles?
What Causes Cankles? Cankles can form due to a variety of reasons: Genetics can influence the distribution of fat within the body, predetermining the likelihood of developing cankles. Weight gain as a result of diet or pregnancy could lead to cankles developing due to the increased size of fat cells at the ankles.
What is the most common cause of swollen ankles?
Swelling of the foot, ankle and leg can be severe enough to leave an indentation (pit) when you press on the area. This swelling (edema) is the result of excess fluid in your tissues — often caused by congestive heart failure or blockage in a leg vein.
Can high blood pressure cause swollen ankles?
Your ankles can swell up after a long flight or from standing up for a long period of time, especially in hot weather. Swollen ankles can occur as a side effect of some high blood pressure medicines, for example calcium channel blockers.
Does obesity make it hard to walk?
Older, obese adults may lose so much muscle, they may have trouble walking — or even standing up. The researchers at USC say this is because older people who are overweight can develop insulin resistance, a condition that runs the risk of blocking their muscles’ ability to effectively absorb glucose.
How does being overweight affect your feet?
Carrying extra weight weakens the tendons and ligaments that make up the architecture of your feet and ankles. Over time, the arches will collapse, causing flat feet and often significant pain when standing and walking.
Can weight gain cause swelling of the feet?
Since your feet are what support your entire weight when standing, any additional weight can result in pain and swelling. Being overweight is one of the main contributors to foot complications.