ANKLE SWELLING
It is not uncommon to get a little ankle swelling in warm weather. This is usually not there first thing on getting up, because of redistribution of fluid throughout the body on lying in bed. Also immobility - prolonged sitting with the legs down - can cause quite significant ankle swelling which may only lessen but not clear overnight. Occasionally ankle swelling may represent poor heart function (heart failure) and this is more likely in the elderly and those with known heart disease. If there is also retention of fluid on the lungs this will cause breathlessness and an inability to lie flat for long as a result. Of course pregnant patients commonly get some ankle swelling and in some cases this can be severe.
When to consult? Unless you are well generally and the ankle swelling is minor and always clear in the mornings then it is a good idea to be checked out - especially if there is no obvious explanation such as warm weather and prolonged standing. That doesn't mean that we would always treat. For minor degrees of ankle swelling we would tend to suggest simple measures such as elevating the feet and/or supportive hosiery - prefering to reserve water tablets (diuretics) for more severe cases which can be very uncomfortable and definite cases of heart failure.