What causes swollen ankles and legs
As has been mentioned above, there can be several causes of swollen legs and ankles. In minor cases, leg and ankle swelling can result from injury or trauma, which can cause fluid retention in the interstitial space of the tissues. Even prolonged standing or sitting can cause minor swelling of the legs or the ankles in some individuals. But, frequent leg and ankle swelling can be associated with some underlying medical conditions. It could be a sign of nephrotic syndrome, which can be caused by kidney failure and glomerulonephritis. Apart from kidney disease, ankle and leg swelling can be caused by heart failure, endocarditis (infection of the inside lining of the heart valves, heart muscles and the chambers), liver failure, liver cirrhosis and joint diseases like, arthritis. Swollen ankles and legs during pregnancy is quite common. It is quite normal for the body to retain more water during pregnancy, which can cause swelling of the legs, feet and the ankles. The growing uterus during