Many things can cause swelling in ankle and feet from too much salt intake, venous insufficiency, kidney disease, heart disease…
If swelling does not improve over night or with elevation, pitting edema (press on area with finger does indent last awhile), skin feels tight, red and hot to touch &/or is weepy these are all symptoms that should be discussed with a medical professional.
Venous insufficiency can be simply fixed by wearing compression stockings that are properly fitted by a professional.
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is common with the following situations:
Prolonged standing
Long airplane flights or automobile rides
Menstrual periods (for some women)
Pregnancy -- excessive swelling may be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition sometimes called toxemia, which includes high blood pressure and swelling
Being overweight
Increased age
Injury or trauma to your ankle or foot
Swollen legs may be a sign of heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure. In these conditions, there is too much fluid in the body.
Other conditions that can cause swelling to one or both legs include:
Blood clot
Leg infection
Venous insufficiency(when the veins in your legs are unable to adequately pump blood back to the heart)
Varicose veins
Burns (including sunburn)
Insect bite or sting
Starvation or malnutrition
Surgery to your leg or foot
Blockage of the lymph nodes in the legs
Certain medications may also cause your legs to swell:
Hormones like estrogen (in birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy) and testosterone
Blood pressure medicines called calcium channel blockers (such as nifedipine, amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, and verapamil)
Steroids
Antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors (such as phenelzine and tranylcypromine) and tricyclics (such as nortriptyline, desipramine, and amitriptyline)