Swelling of the ankles and feet is common and you don't have to worry about it, especially if you're standing or walking. However, if your feet and ankles are swollen or have other symptoms, they may indicate a serious health problem.

 Pregnancy complications. It is normal for ankles and feet to swell during pregnancy. However, sudden or extreme swelling can be a sign of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a serious condition in which high blood pressure and urinary protein develop after the 20th week of pregnancy. Call your doctor right away if you experience severe swelling or swelling along with other symptoms such as abdominal pain, headache, infrequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and blurred vision. le

 Injured foot or ankle. Injuries to the feet and ankles can cause swelling. The most common are sprained ankles. This happens when the ligaments holding the ankle go beyond their normal range due to an injury or a fall of the ankle.

 infection. Swelling of the feet and ankles can be a sign of infection. People with diabetic neuropathy and other foot nerve problems have a higher risk of foot infections. In the case of diabetes, it is important to check your feet daily for blisters and pain, as nerve damage can reduce your sensitivity to pain and cause foot problems to progress rapidly.

 thrombus Blood clots that form in the leg veins prevent blood from flowing back to the heart from the legs and can cause swelling in the ankles and feet. Thrombosis can be superficial (occurring in the veins just under the skin) or deep (a condition known as deep vein thrombosis).

Deep blood clots can block one or more major veins in the leg. These blood clots can be life-threatening if they break off and move to the heart or lungs. If you have pain, a low-grade fever, or swelling even with a change in color of the affected leg, contact your doctor immediately. Treatment with anticoagulants may be required.

 Heart, liver, or kidney disease. Swelling may indicate problems such as heart, liver, or kidney disease. Swelling of the ankle in the evening can be a sign of salt and water retention due to right heart failure. Kidney disease can also cause swelling of the feet and ankles. If the kidneys are not working properly, fluid can build up in the body.

 side effects of the drug. Many medications can cause swelling in the feet and ankles as a possible side effect. These include:

 hormones such as estrogen (found in oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone:

•  A type of blood pressure medication that contains calcium channel blockers, nifedipine (Adalat, Afeditab, Nifediac, Nifedical, Procardia), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), and verapamil. , CoveraHS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verapamil)

 If you suspect that the swelling is related to the medication you are taking, consult your doctor. The benefits of the drug may be worth tolerating some swelling, but more serious swelling may occur.