Causes of swollen ankles at night time

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Swollen ankles can occur during pregnancy or right after sustaining an injury, but if the swelling occurs at night time, there might be an underlying health condition. The swollen ankles might be accompanied by other symptoms that makes it easier to determine the exact cause but a doctor should be consulted for diagnosis and proper treatment.

Ankle sprains

An ankle sprain can trigger swollen ankles at night as well as other forms of sprains such as injuries to the ankle tendons or nerves, fractures on the ankle bone and tears in the exterior ligaments.

When it comes to an ankle sprain, it might require only the basic measures such as the application of an ice pack, rest, elevation and an elastic support of the ankle. The ankle sprain type injuries are usually more serious and might require immobilization, physical therapy and medications to minimize the swelling.

Heart failure and polyuria

Congestive heart failure can trigger swollen ankles. The diminished capability of the heart causes ineffective pumping action of the blood that can trigger the build-up of fluid in the limbs.

Swollen ankles
An ankle sprain can trigger swollen ankles at night as well as other forms of sprains such as injuries to the ankle tendons or nerves, fractures on the ankle bone and tears in the exterior ligaments.

The swollen ankles and legs is known as peripheral edema which is typically caused by right-sided heart failure. Remember that this can result to night-time polyuria or recurrent urination at night. The body alters the extra fluid into urine which causes the individual to wake up repeatedly at night time just to urinate. Other symptoms of heart failure can also include shortness of breath and excessive tiredness.

Gynecological disorders

A gynecological issue might disrupt with the flow of blood from the legs to the heart which leads to swollen ankles at night time that appears normal upon waking up in the morning.

The presence of ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids can limit the flow of blood and compress the bladder which increases the frequency of urination. The ovarian cysts are growths filled with liquid that are benign. The individual might have cysts on the ovaries that do not trigger any symptoms. The cysts normally vanish but can cause complications such as lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse and ovarian cancer. The uterine fibroids are growths on the uterus that are non-cancerous and rarely trigger any symptoms.

Veins

Any blockage to the flow of blood from the legs to the heart can also lead to swollen ankles at night time. The swelling might vanish by morning since lying in a horizontal manner negates the pulling effect of gravity.

Varicose veins are also considered as a possible cause. When blood moves up in the legs, the veins have one-way valves that are positioned a few inches apart. If the individual has varicose veins, the valves are unsecured and the high pressure prevents blood drainage which causing poor circulation and swelling. In addition, lymphedema is also possible which is characterized by the blockage in the vessels of the lymph system that triggers the build-up of fluid and swollen ankles.

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