Alleviating the Discomfort of Edema

Help is available to reduce swelling, but check with your doctor first to make sure its not something more serious.

Published: April 11, 2007

Swelling in the legs and ankles is fairly common among older adults, but it also may be a sign of a more serious condition. "Swelling, in general, is abnormal," says Dr. Wilson Tang, a heart failure specialist in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic. In fact, swelling, also referred to as "edema," could be a symptom of heart failure.