Why do my ankles swell in the summer?

Q. Why do my ankles swell in the summer?

A. If the ankle swelling is new, you should always call your doctor about it.

You can retain fluid for many reasons. These include:

• kidney problems
• heart conditions
• malnutrition
• thyroid disorders
• anemia.

When only one ankle is swollen, the cause may be a blood clot or an ankle injury.

But the most common reason for swelling in both ankles is leaky valves in the leg veins. The leg veins return blood to the heart after the blood has delivered its oxygen and nutrients to the feet and lower legs. Unlike the arteries, the veins can't rely on the pumping action of the heart to move the blood in the right direction. The veins need the valves to stop blood from backing up.

Many people have malfunctioning vein valves that cause backpressure and fluid leak. Also, this problem leads to varicose veins.

In warmer weather, the tiny veins dilate and allow more than the usual fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues. Gravity pushes the fluid down toward the ankles. So standing for long periods in hot weather can make the ankles very swollen.

A couple of simple ways to help minimize the swelling:

• Elevate your feet when you sit.
• Periodically lie down with your feet above the level of your heart.
• Wear support hose.

You might also try consuming less sodium (salt) so that your body holds on to less water.

Your doctor may prescribe a low-dose water pill (diuretic) if you still cannot control the swelling.

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