What is Edema and what does it mean?

Swelling of the ankles – feet – legs

Painless swelling may affect both legs and may include the calves or even the thighs. Because of the effect of gravity, swelling is particularly noticeable in the lower part of the body.
 

TopCauses

Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common with the following situations:
Being overweight
Blood clot in the leg
Increased age
Leg infection
Veins in the legs that cannot properly pump blood back to the heart

Injury or surgery involving the leg, ankle, or foot can cause swelling. Swelling may also occur after pelvic surgery, especially for cancer.

Long airplane flights or car rides, as well as standing for long periods of time, often lead to some swelling in the feet and ankles.

Swelling may occur in women who take estrogen or during parts of the menstrual cycle. Most women have some swelling during pregnancy. More severe swelling during pregnancy may be a sign of preeclampsia (also called toxemia), a serious condition that includes high blood pressure and swelling.

Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure, or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body.

Certain medications may also cause your legs to swell:
Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors (such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine) and tricyclics (such as nortriptyline, desipramine, and amitriptyline)
Blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, and verapamil)
Hormones like estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
Steroids

Home Care

Some tips that may help:
Raise your legs above your heart while lying down.
Exercise your legs. This helps pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
Wear support stockings (sold at most drug and medical supply stores).
When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
Avoid wearing tight clothing or garters around your thighs.
Lose weight if you need to.

Never stop taking any medicines you think may be causing swelling without first talking to your doctor.
 

Painless swelling of the feet and ankles is a common problem, especially among older people.

Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called edema.

Back to TopWhen to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 if:
You feel short of breath.
You have chest pain, especially if it feels like pressure or tightness.

Call your doctor right away if:
You have heart disease or kidney disease and the swelling gets worse.
You have a history of liver disease and now have swelling in your legs or abdomen.
Your swollen foot or leg is red or warm to the touch.
You have a fever.
You are pregnant and have more than just mild swelling or have a sudden increase in swelling.

Also call your doctor if self-care measures do not help or swelling gets worse.