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My Ankles Have Been Swelling For Several Days - Almost
Question: My ankles have been swelling for several days - almost two weeks. And now I have gained more than five pounds overnight. I run/walk at least five miles each day and work out with weights at least a couple times per week. My lungs were clear, my heart rate, and oxygen levels all good yesterday at urgent care - and I got the compression stockings as suggested - but how does someone gain more than five pounds overnight?
My ankles have been swelling for several days - almost two weeks. And now I have gained more than five pounds overnight. I run/walk at least five miles each day and work out with weights at least a couple times per week. My lungs were clear, my heart rate, and oxygen levels all good yesterday at urgent care - and I got the compression stockings as suggested - but how does someone gain more than five pounds overnight?
Brief Answer:
Weight gain in this case is due to fluid retention and it can happen in a short time (overnight)
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,
A patient that has swelling of the legs can gain some weight in a short time due to water retention and fluids being spread in the tissues.
It is important though to find the reason for the swelling. The fact that the lung and heart examination were normal is a very reassuring thing.
I would recommend you to:
- Continue using the compression stockings
- Try to avoid long standing or long sitting (being active and combining sitting and walking is good)
- Avoid crossing the legs as this may make the circulation of the blood in the legs slow and make the swelling worse.
- Make sure you keep your legs a bit higher when you are sited to help with the swelling.
If you notice that you are not improving or the swelling is getting worse then you will need to see your doctor and in this case a heart ultrasound and ECG might be needed (if not already done in the emergency room) and also some blood tests to check liver, kidney and thyroid function might be advisable (CBC, ALT, AST, Bilirubine, Albumine level, Creatinine, Electrolytes, TSH and FT4)
If you use medications for other reasons (not mentioned in the message) this is a very important information to disclose as some medications might cause swelling of the legs.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Weight gain in this case is due to fluid retention and it can happen in a short time (overnight)
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,
A patient that has swelling of the legs can gain some weight in a short time due to water retention and fluids being spread in the tissues.
It is important though to find the reason for the swelling. The fact that the lung and heart examination were normal is a very reassuring thing.
I would recommend you to:
- Continue using the compression stockings
- Try to avoid long standing or long sitting (being active and combining sitting and walking is good)
- Avoid crossing the legs as this may make the circulation of the blood in the legs slow and make the swelling worse.
- Make sure you keep your legs a bit higher when you are sited to help with the swelling.
If you notice that you are not improving or the swelling is getting worse then you will need to see your doctor and in this case a heart ultrasound and ECG might be needed (if not already done in the emergency room) and also some blood tests to check liver, kidney and thyroid function might be advisable (CBC, ALT, AST, Bilirubine, Albumine level, Creatinine, Electrolytes, TSH and FT4)
If you use medications for other reasons (not mentioned in the message) this is a very important information to disclose as some medications might cause swelling of the legs.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Weight gain in this case is due to fluid retention and it can happen in a short time (overnight)
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,
A patient that has swelling of the legs can gain some weight in a short time due to water retention and fluids being spread in the tissues.
It is important though to find the reason for the swelling. The fact that the lung and heart examination were normal is a very reassuring thing.
I would recommend you to:
- Continue using the compression stockings
- Try to avoid long standing or long sitting (being active and combining sitting and walking is good)
- Avoid crossing the legs as this may make the circulation of the blood in the legs slow and make the swelling worse.
- Make sure you keep your legs a bit higher when you are sited to help with the swelling.
If you notice that you are not improving or the swelling is getting worse then you will need to see your doctor and in this case a heart ultrasound and ECG might be needed (if not already done in the emergency room) and also some blood tests to check liver, kidney and thyroid function might be advisable (CBC, ALT, AST, Bilirubine, Albumine level, Creatinine, Electrolytes, TSH and FT4)
If you use medications for other reasons (not mentioned in the message) this is a very important information to disclose as some medications might cause swelling of the legs.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Weight gain in this case is due to fluid retention and it can happen in a short time (overnight)
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome at "Ask a Doctor" service,
A patient that has swelling of the legs can gain some weight in a short time due to water retention and fluids being spread in the tissues.
It is important though to find the reason for the swelling. The fact that the lung and heart examination were normal is a very reassuring thing.
I would recommend you to:
- Continue using the compression stockings
- Try to avoid long standing or long sitting (being active and combining sitting and walking is good)
- Avoid crossing the legs as this may make the circulation of the blood in the legs slow and make the swelling worse.
- Make sure you keep your legs a bit higher when you are sited to help with the swelling.
If you notice that you are not improving or the swelling is getting worse then you will need to see your doctor and in this case a heart ultrasound and ECG might be needed (if not already done in the emergency room) and also some blood tests to check liver, kidney and thyroid function might be advisable (CBC, ALT, AST, Bilirubine, Albumine level, Creatinine, Electrolytes, TSH and FT4)
If you use medications for other reasons (not mentioned in the message) this is a very important information to disclose as some medications might cause swelling of the legs.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
What do I do about the fluid retention - how do I stop it or release the fluid? I don't take any medications of any kind. But I am noticing swelling around my knees and thighs. Can I change my diet to eliminate the water retention? How long does it take to lose this water weight? Is there anything I can take to speed up the process?
What do I do about the fluid retention - how do I stop it or release the fluid? I don't take any medications of any kind. But I am noticing swelling around my knees and thighs. Can I change my diet to eliminate the water retention? How long does it take to lose this water weight? Is there anything I can take to speed up the process?
Brief Answer:
Finding the cause is the first step to know how to stop it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Treatment would depend on the cause. In my opinion if you are having swelling of the knees and thighs this is not very common with varicose veins or venous insufficiency (it might happen but is rare).
I would advise you to consider seeing your doctor (not the ER) and consider having a thorough examination and possibly have the tests I mentioned above.
If the cause is identified then treatment can be decided.
The only diet help would be not to take too much salt, otherwise I don't think there is anything else diet related.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Finding the cause is the first step to know how to stop it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Treatment would depend on the cause. In my opinion if you are having swelling of the knees and thighs this is not very common with varicose veins or venous insufficiency (it might happen but is rare).
I would advise you to consider seeing your doctor (not the ER) and consider having a thorough examination and possibly have the tests I mentioned above.
If the cause is identified then treatment can be decided.
The only diet help would be not to take too much salt, otherwise I don't think there is anything else diet related.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Brief Answer:
Finding the cause is the first step to know how to stop it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Treatment would depend on the cause. In my opinion if you are having swelling of the knees and thighs this is not very common with varicose veins or venous insufficiency (it might happen but is rare).
I would advise you to consider seeing your doctor (not the ER) and consider having a thorough examination and possibly have the tests I mentioned above.
If the cause is identified then treatment can be decided.
The only diet help would be not to take too much salt, otherwise I don't think there is anything else diet related.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Finding the cause is the first step to know how to stop it
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Treatment would depend on the cause. In my opinion if you are having swelling of the knees and thighs this is not very common with varicose veins or venous insufficiency (it might happen but is rare).
I would advise you to consider seeing your doctor (not the ER) and consider having a thorough examination and possibly have the tests I mentioned above.
If the cause is identified then treatment can be decided.
The only diet help would be not to take too much salt, otherwise I don't think there is anything else diet related.
I hope this answers to your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
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