A swollen ankles is a common ailment which can affect different people at different stages in life. It is called Oedema in medical terminology. Ankles swell due to the presence of fluid in the joints or the soft tissue of the ankles.

The main problems associated with swollen ankles are swelling and pain in ankles, difficulty in walking, headaches, increased weight and frequent urination.There can be many causes behind swelling in ankles. Finding the cause is the first step in the treatment of this disorder. Gout, Ankle arthritis, vascular obstruction, infection and Peripheral Oedema are among the most common ones. However, there are some other causes too. Our body has the ability to drain out the excessive water but this ability sometimes gets hampered due to reasons like excessive intake of alcohol and salt or due to pregnancy or less perspiration.
Ankle tendonitis is also among the common causes of swollen ankles in physically active persons. An injury to a tendon present in the inner part of the ankle can cause pain and swelling in the ankle. Women experience swollen ankles during menstruation and pregnancy. There are other causes of ankle swelling too and medical examination can diagnose the exact cause. A patient can however start by adopting a more active lifestyle and following regular exercise regimen.