Swelling of the feet and ankles is usually due to a condition called edema, which is swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid in the body's tissues. Although swelling may not seem like a major health concern, edema usually occurs when major organs become damaged or fail and lose their ability to function properly.
Cor Pulmonale
Cor pulmonale is defined as the failure of the right side of the heart due to chronic high blood pressure in the right ventricle of the heart and the arteries of the lungs, or pulmonary arteries. Chronic high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries or right ventricle can be caused by conditions that cause low blood oxygen levels such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, sleep apnea and interstitial lung disease, according to Medline Plus. When the right side of the heart fails, the heart can no longer effectively pump blood to meet the needs of the body. This can result in a number of symptoms, including chest discomfort, premature exertion during exercise, shortness of breath, swelling of the feet and ankles, wheezing and coughing. Initial treatment for cor pulmonale involves oxygen therapy to increase levels of oxygen in the blood. Further treatment is dependent on the underlying condition that is causing cor pulmonale. In severe cases, surgery may be required to correct heart defects.
Glomerulonephritis
The glomeruli are tiny structures in the kidneys that are responsible for filtering the blood that travels to the kidneys and depositing the filtered blood back into the blood stream. Each kidney contains about one million glomeruli. Glomerulonephritis is a condition that occurs when the glomeruli become inflamed and are unable to filter blood properly. This causes an accumulation of waste and fluid in the body and an inadequate amount of protein in the blood. In most cases, the cause of glomerulonephritis is unknown, but known causes may consist of bacterial infections, viral infections, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure or diseases that affect proper blood circulation, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms of glomerulonephritis include dark colored urine, foam in the urine, high blood pressure, fatigue, decrease in urine production and swelling that is especially apparent in the feet, ankles, face, hands and abdomen. Treatment for glomerulonephritis usually consists of a combination of medications focused on treating the underlying cause of the condition. MayoClinic.com notes that some cases may require temporary dialysis to filter the waste products out of the body and reduce fluid retention.
Cirrhosis
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It is responsible for processing nutrients, producing bile and eliminating harmful substances, such as alcohol and nicotine, from the body. Every time the liver is exposed to a harmful substance, it becomes slightly damaged. The liver repairs this damage by generating scar tissue in the place of healthy tissue. Frequent exposure to harmful substances causes the liver to undergo such extensive damage that the amount of scar tissue in the liver overweighs the amount of healthy tissue in the liver. When the liver is covered in scar tissue, it can no longer perform its vital functions. This condition is called cirrhosis. Chronic alcohol abuse is a leading cause of cirrhosis, but hepatitis, bile duct disorders, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and genetic disorders can also play a role in the development of the disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain, jaundice and swelling of the legs, feet, ankles and abdomen. There is no way to reverse scarring, so treatment usually focuses on lifestyle and diet changes that can slow the progression of the disease and treat underlying conditions.
