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Why Do My Ankles Swell Up During The Day And Reduce After Sleeping When Diagnosed With COPD And Atrial Fibrillation?
Posted on
Mon, 4 Jun 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 4 Jun 2018
Answered on
Wed, 17 Feb 2021
Last reviewed on
Question : My ankles swell up during the day go down after sleeping. I have been diagnosed COPD and afib
Brief Answer:
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Swelling of both ankles can have different possible causes- (1) side effect of medication eg blood pressure medication , amlodipine, causes swelling of the ankles
(2)heart disease- heart failure (when the heart cannot meet the demands of the body), can cause swelling as well. There would usually be additional symptoms such as shortness of breath
An ECG and echo can determine if there is any issue with heart function.
(3)liver or kidney disease- abnormal function of either of these can cause swelling. Blood tests can assess the kidney and liver.
(4)venous disease- presence of varicose veins
(5)arthritis
During the day as persons move around, stand up etc, blood can pool in the ankles and/or legs as a result of any of these conditions. Because they are propped up during the night as persons sleep, the swelling improves.
Propping them up during the day would help but it would also be best to determine the specific cause. This would require an assessment by your doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
different possible causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Swelling of both ankles can have different possible causes- (1) side effect of medication eg blood pressure medication , amlodipine, causes swelling of the ankles
(2)heart disease- heart failure (when the heart cannot meet the demands of the body), can cause swelling as well. There would usually be additional symptoms such as shortness of breath
An ECG and echo can determine if there is any issue with heart function.
(3)liver or kidney disease- abnormal function of either of these can cause swelling. Blood tests can assess the kidney and liver.
(4)venous disease- presence of varicose veins
(5)arthritis
During the day as persons move around, stand up etc, blood can pool in the ankles and/or legs as a result of any of these conditions. Because they are propped up during the night as persons sleep, the swelling improves.
Propping them up during the day would help but it would also be best to determine the specific cause. This would require an assessment by your doctor.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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