Your shoes fit in the morning.

By evening, your ankles look swollen and the straps are leaving marks.

Standing or sitting for many hours can cause mild swelling in both ankles. It often improves after rest or overnight. But recurring swelling should not automatically be blamed on a long day.

Notice the pattern.

If one leg suddenly becomes swollen, painful, warm or darker than usual, seek urgent medical help. This can happen with a blood clot or infection.

Swelling in both legs accompanied by breathlessness, difficulty lying flat or rapid weight gain may mean that fluid is building up because the heart is not pumping effectively. Kidney or liver disease can also cause swelling.

Call for emergency help if swollen feet occur with chest pain, sudden breathlessness, fainting or coughing up blood.

Record when the swelling appears and whether it affects one leg or both. Elevate your legs while resting and take walking breaks if you sit for long periods.

Do not start taking “water tablets” on your own. Treatment depends on why the fluid is collecting.

Swollen ankles are a symptom, not a diagnosis.

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