Swollen ankles, feet and legs, referred to medically as edema,

Edema can be caused by a serious condition of the kidney, heart, liver or blood vessels, but many other factors can contribute to its onset, including:

• Eating a poor diet high in salt and carbohydrates
• Abusing laxatives
• Abusing diuretics
• Abusing drugs
• Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills
• Pregnancy and PMS
• Sodium retention
• Varicose veins and history of phlebitis
• Allergic reactions
• Neuromuscular disorders
• Trauma

Symptoms:

Initially, the feet, ankles and legs will appear swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling will set in first thing in the morning and continue to worsen throughout the day. Long-term edema causes pitting: When you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area. Continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.

Techniques to help decrease swelling:

• Increase muscle activity with walking.
• Avoid standing in place for long period of time.
• Avoid sitting with the feet dependent.
• Limit salt intake.
• Do not abuse diuretics, but a short-term course may be helpful.
• Do not abuse laxatives.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid contraceptive pills and hormone replacement therapy if possible.
• Use a compressions pump to help fluid return to the blood vessels.