Swollen Ankles

it sounds like she may be having some fluid overload from congestive heart failure. The fluid seems better when she gets up and around and her medications kick in. Start keeping track of her daily weights. First thing in the morning have her get out of bed - empty the bladder and step on the scale. This is an accurate way to assess fluid retention before she gets short of breath. the average person fluctuates around a 3-4 lb mark. Weight that goes up and stays up is most likely retained fluid. Then you call the doctor to discuss medication changes. Tell her to pay attention to her diet for salt intake - this is a no no. 2 grams/day is the limit (some will allow 4 grams depending on her heart status. )

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DrStephanie

WOW, hold the phone Doc,
               First she does not take heart meds, my bust. She is very healthy and eats pretty good food all the time. She is active and healthy all but for the ankles. Could I get a updated or another opinion. Thanks

Andy (The other Andy)

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Hello

Swollen ankles are swollen because the fluid isn't getting back up to circulate through the lymph system. While the cause may be cardiac or kidney related as the other expert stated, and daily weights aren't a bad idea, there are some home remedies that can also be tried.

1. Encourage your mother to drink 8-12 full glasses of water daily.

2. Encourage your mother to watch her sodium intake. It was quite surprising to me how many foods contain salt or sodium. Especially those that are processed foods. I had a doctor recommend to me that I grocery shop only in the outside aisles of the store. I realized that these are the places where the whole foods are kept. Produce, meat and dairy. The inner aisles have the 'fast' processed foods. Grains and breads are even usually on the perimeter of the store.

3. There may be something cutting off the circulation while she sleeps, as usually any edema (swelling) will resolve during sleeping hours when the feet are above or equal to the level of the heart.

4. She can ask her doctor to do some kidney function tests, or cardiac tests. These can be started with some very basic blood tests. The results of these blood tests may give the doctor a clue as to which direction to rule out next.

Hope this helps! Please let me know if you have more questions.

Kerry

Edited by dahlilahblue on February 13 2006 at 9:38pm

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Kerry, RN
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