Swelling of ankles in the elderly is a common problem in India, however common it may be, it should never be taken lightly as it could be a sign of a life-threatening illness.
Many seniors experience swollen ankles. The swelling can occur in both ankles or in just one, and is caused by fluid that accumulates in the soft tissues surrounding the ankle or in the joint of the ankle itself. The swelling is often caused when an individual stands for too long a time, eats too much salty food or sits for extended periods without exercising the legs, such as when traveling in an airplane or car. It cannot be emphasized enough, that although swollen ankles are common in the elderly, it is very important to have a medical professional determine the cause of the swelling.
In the general population of the elderly, Edema is one of the most common causes of swollen ankles. While, Edema simply means that there is excess water accumulation in the body causing swelling of the soft tissues under the skin. When the swelling is of the extremities, such as the ankles or feet, it is called peripheral Edema. These problems are often reported from senior care home representatives.
Edema is classified as either pitting or non-pitting. In pitting Edema, an indentation remains in the area of the swollen ankle when light pressure is applied with a finger. The pitting can occur from other things such as wearing socks with elastic. If the edema is non-pitting, a depression does not remain in the skin when light pressure is applied with a finger.
There are several paid old age homes in Delhi and it has been seen that Edema is affecting the elderly people staying at most of them. There are more than a hundred medical conditions that can cause swollen ankles in elderly people. Some of the causes are much more serious than others. The following is a list of some of the more common medical conditions that can cause peripheral Edema:
- Congestive heart failure
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Kidney disease
- Poor circulation
- Inflammation of the deep veins called thrombophlebitis
- A damaged lymphatic system
- Thyroid conditions
Edema can also be caused by many different types of medications. In fact, the number of medications that can cause this problem is well over 1,000. Swollen ankles often result from an individual changing from one kind of medication to another or from changing the dosage amount of a medication.
If you have recently changed any of your medication listed below and are experiencing swollen ankles, it is time to go and visit the doctor:
- Calcium channel blockers
- Beta blockers
- Nitrates
- Antihypertensives
- Anti-arrhythmics
- Diabetes Medications
- Hypertensives
- Adernergic agonists
- Anti-inflammatories
- Narcotic medications
- Chemotherapeutic agents
Edema could be a common condition in the elderly and maybe caused by something as small as stress and exertion, however it could also be a symptom of something serious, we therefore recommend a medical check-up as soon as swollen ankles start appearing.
While you wait for our post next week that talks about a few medical conditions that can lead to swollen ankles, we would love to hear your experience, if any, with swollen ankles.
