Significance

• The kidneys are responsible for producing urine, filtering wastes from the blood and maintaining normal levels of fluid and electrolytes. When kidney function declines, excess fluid builds up in the blood and causes swelling. Ankle edema is a sign of chronic kidney disease.
  
  

Identification

• You may notice that your ankles appear puffy or larger than usual. This means that they are swollen (non-pitting edema). If you press the affected area with your finger and a dent appears, you have pitting edema. The dent will fill in slowly once you remove your finger from the skin.
  
  

Treatments

• Reduce ankle swelling by elevating your legs above the heart while lying down or sitting; wearing support stockings; and exercising the legs. Diuretics (water pills) may be prescribed if you cannot control the ankle edema with self-care measures.
  
  

Risks

• If the excess fluid is not removed from the body, it can put pressure on the lungs and make it difficult to breathe. If you experience chest pain or shortness of breath, seek emergency medical treatment.
  
  

Prevention

• Because excess sodium intake leads to fluid retention and edema, reduce your sodium consumption. Avoid high-sodium foods such as luncheon meats, canned soups, canned vegetables, frozen dinners and fast foods. Replace table salt with sodium-free herbs and seasonings.