If your feet and ankles swell, it's usually not a cause for concern, especially if you've been standing or walking a lot. The medical term for swelling is edema, which is when too much fluid builds up in the tissues inside your body. Swollen feet and ankles are often painless, but they can last longer. 

Sometimes swollen feet and ankles can be caused due to a serious medical problem. So, it's important to understand what's causing your edema and contact your doctor if you have trouble walking, feel heaviness in your legs, or have stretched, pitted, or shiny skin.

Most of the time, you can treat swelling in your feet and legs at home, but contact your doctor if the swelling persists over a few days or if it's only on one side of your body. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Your feet and ankles may swell due to many reasons, including:

Some swelling is normal during pregnancy. But if it happens suddenly or your feet and ankles swell up a lot, it may be a sign of preeclampsia, or dangerously high blood pressure that can happen during the second half of your pregnancy or soon after childbirth. Call your doctor right away if your edema is severe or you have other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, headaches, not peeing often, nausea and vomiting, or vision changes.

The most common injury that can cause swelling in your ankle is a sprained ankle, which can stretch the ligaments that hold the ankle in place beyond their normal range. To lower the swelling from a sprain, avoid walking on the injured ankle or foot, use ice packs, wrap your foot or ankle with a compression bandage, and keep up your foot on a stool or pillow. If home treatments don't help, see your doctor.

This is a collection of lymphatic fluid in the tissues. This can happen because of the absence of or problems with the lymph vessels or after the removal of the lymph nodes. Lymphedema is common following radiation therapy or the removal of the lymph nodes in patients with cancer. If you have had cancer treatment and experience swelling, see your doctor right away.

Swelling in your ankles and feet is often an early symptom of venous insufficiency, a condition where the veins in your legs struggle to send blood back to your heart. Chronic venous insufficiency can lead to skin changes, skin ulcers, and infection. If you have signs of venous insufficiency, see your doctor. Find out more about chronic venous insufficiency.

Swelling in the feet and ankles can be a sign of infection. People with diabetic neuropathy or other nerve problems of the feet are at greater risk for foot infections. If you have diabetes, it is important to inspect feet daily for blisters and sores, as nerve damage can blunt the pain sensation and foot problems can progress quickly. If you notice a swollen foot or blister that appears to be infected, contact your doctor right away. Learn more about how to care for feet with diabetes. 

Fluid may build up in your lower legs as a result of gravity, which ultimately leads to swelling.

Hormonal changes, such as those you may get during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, can slow blood flow to your lower legs and other limbs. This can make your ankles become swollen. 

This type of vein inflammation can make your skin itchy, red, and painful to the touch and can cause your legs to swell. It's most common in people with varicose veins.

In the heat, your body's blood vessels get bigger, which can lead to swollen feet and ankles. 

Blood clots that form in the veins of your legs can stop the return flow of blood from your legs to your heart, which may cause swelling in your ankles and feet. Blood clots can be either superficial (occurring in the veins just beneath the skin) or deep (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis).

Deep clots can block one or more of the major veins of your legs. These blood clots can be life-threatening if they break loose and travel to your heart or lungs. If you have swelling in one leg, along with pain, a low-grade fever, and, possibly, a change in color in your affected leg, call your doctor immediately. Treatment with blood thinners may be necessary.

Sometimes swelling can point to other problems: 

Heart failure. Ankles that swell in the evening could be a sign that your body is retaining salt and water because of right-sided heart failure. 

Kidney disease. When your kidneys aren't functioning properly, fluid can build up in your body. 

Liver disease. Liver disease can affect your liver's production of a protein called albumin, which keeps blood from leaking out of the blood vessels into the surrounding tissue. Not producing enough albumin can lead to fluid leakage. Gravity causes this excess fluid to collect in your feet, ankles, and, sometimes, even in your abdomen and chest. 

If the swelling happens with other symptoms, including fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight gain, see your doctor right away. If you feel short of breath or have chest pain, pressure, or tightness, call 911. Learn more about kidney disease and its symptoms.

Many drugs can cause swelling in your feet and ankles as a side effect. They include:

If you think your swelling may be related to a drug you're taking, talk to your doctor. Although the benefits of the drug may be worth bearing some swelling, more severe edema may make it necessary to change your medication or dosage.

Your ankles and feet can swell at once. Here are some treatments you can do at home:

Wear compression socks.

Get up and walk around — especially if you've been sitting for an extended period of time.

Elevate your feet when sitting.

Follow a healthy and low-sodium diet.

Exercise regularly.

When to See a Doctor About Swollen Ankles and Feet

Swelling in your ankles and feet usually go away on its own, but in rare cases, you may need to talk with your doctor. If you have a history of diabetes, kidney disease, or heart disease, swollen ankles and feet may be a signal that something more serious is going on. 

You should contact your doctor if you get swelling in your ankles and feet very suddenly, it lasts for more than a few days, it only occurs on one side of your body, or you experience pitting — a sensation in which if you press on your swollen foot or ankle, you leave a lasting indent.

If you develop swollen feet alongside shortness of breath, chest pain, or pressure in your chest, call 911.

Swollen feet and ankles are generally harmless and will go away on their own. Most of the time, swelling in your feet and ankles is a sign of edema, or fluid buildup that can happen for many reasons, including eating salty foods or sitting for an extended period of time. If your symptoms don't get better on their own, there are some things you can do at home, such as wearing compression socks, following a low-sodium diet, and exercising. If you have a history of diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or heart disease, ask your doctor about other treatment options. They may be able to prescribe a diuretic or another medication to help you manage swelling in your feet and ankles.

Walking can help with swollen ankles and feet. Exercise is a good way to improve blood flow.

Yes, there are special shoes for swollen ankles and feet. These shoes are often wider and come with special supportive features. Visit your local shoe store today and talk to a customer service representative about various options to fit your needs.

Swollen ankles generally indicate the buildup of fluids, an infection, or even an injury.

Lowering your salt intake, exercising, wearing compression socks, and putting your feet on an elevated surface are all ways by which you can get the swelling in your ankle go down. 

If you have mild ankle swelling, there's no reason to panic. In cases where the swelling is very bad or does not go away, you might want to talk to your doctor, especially if you have heart disease, liver disease, or kidney disease. 

There are some treatment options for swollen feet. These include exercising, using compression socks, following a low-sodium diet, and elevating your feet. Your doctor may even prescribe diuretics for more serious cases of swollen ankles.