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Why do my ankles swell when I travel?

Swelling is common during air travel Dependent edema ? the official name for leg and ankle swelling during air travel ? is common and typically harmless. The swelling is a combination of inactivity paired with the force of gravity pulling the fluids in your body toward earth.



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Swollen ankles are a common side effect of long-haul flights. They most often occur due to the buildup of fluid in the legs, known as edema. Studies show that edema is present in around 97 in 100 people who fly for more than 7 hours. In some other cases, a person's ankles may swell due to DVT.

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