Swollen Feet and Ankles — What Causes It
Also described as oedema, leg swelling, puffy ankles, fluid retention.
Swelling in both feet that improves overnight is often positional, but swelling with breathlessness, or reduced and frothy urine, points to the heart or kidneys. Sudden swelling in one leg, especially with calf pain, may be a clot and needs same-day assessment. Iswarya Hospital, OMR Chennai, investigates both.
🚨 Get emergency care if you have
- •Sudden swelling in one leg, with calf pain, warmth or redness
- •Swelling with breathlessness or chest pain
- •Swelling with markedly reduced urine output
- •Swelling of the face, particularly around the eyes in the morning
- •Skin that is breaking down or weeping over the swollen area
What causes swollen feet and ankles?
Chronic kidney disease
Swelling of feet and face, with fatigue, frothy urine and high blood pressure.
Heart failure
Swelling with breathlessness on lying flat and marked fatigue.
Deep vein thrombosis
Swelling in one leg with pain and warmth — a clot needing urgent treatment.
Varicose veins
Aching, visible veins and swelling that worsens through the day and improves with elevation.
Liver disease or low protein
Swelling with abdominal distension, from reduced protein in the blood.
How it is investigated
- ✓Urine test for protein, and kidney function blood tests
- ✓Echocardiogram where a cardiac cause is suspected
- ✓Doppler ultrasound of the leg veins if one-sided
- ✓Liver function tests and serum albumin
Not every patient needs every test. The consultation decides which of these apply to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is swelling in one leg different from swelling in both?▼
Materially, yes. Both legs swelling usually points to a systemic cause — heart, kidney, liver or veins. One leg swelling suddenly, particularly with calf pain or warmth, raises the possibility of a deep vein thrombosis, which needs same-day assessment.
Can standing all day cause swollen feet?▼
Yes, and it is common. Positional swelling builds through the day, affects both feet, and settles overnight with the legs elevated. Swelling that does not settle by morning, or that comes with breathlessness or changes in urine, should be investigated.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for a consultation. Symptoms overlap between harmless and serious conditions, and only an examination can tell them apart. If you are worried, see a doctor.
Plan your first visit
Not sure which specialist to see? Tell our care team the reason for your visit and we will help you choose.
- Bring previous prescriptions, relevant test reports or scan images, a medication list and photo ID.
- If you plan to use insurance, bring your policy details. OPD, tests and admission benefits depend on your individual plan and approval.
- Your first consultation determines which tests or treatments are needed; not everyone needs every test listed on this page.
Appointments are requests until confirmed. In a medical emergency, call 044 2025 2025 or go to the nearest emergency department.