DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I’ve been told that ankle swelling indicates a weak heart. My ankles are swollen, but I am positive I don’t have a weak heart. Two doctors have told me it is working fine. What are other reasons why this happens, and what can be done? — T.R.

ANSWER: Ankles swell for a large number of reasons. A failing heart is one very important cause, but it’s not the only cause. One of the first tests is to determine if excess fluid is the cause of swollen ankles. You can do that by pressing the thumb against the swollen ankle and holding it there firmly for five seconds. If fluid is the cause, you’ll leave an indentation of the thumb in the skin.

Even though you’re sure your heart isn’t the reason for your swelling, let me just say a few words about heart failure for others. If the heart is beating weakly, fluid leaks out of vessels in the legs. Treatment consists of ridding the body of extra fluid and giving medicines that strengthen the heart’s beating.

Kidney and liver conditions lead to fluid retention and ankle edema, the medical term for ankle swelling. I’m sure the doctors who told you that your heart is healthy must have considered these illnesses too.

Medicines can be responsible for such swelling. The very popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — Aleve, Advil, Indocin, Voltaren and many others — cause fluid retention and ankle swelling. Estrogen drugs do the same. So do calcium channel blockers — drugs used for many conditions, including blood pressure control.

A leg vein with a clot can bring on ankle and leg swelling. Most often, only one leg is involved, but it’s possible that both legs can have clotted veins.

Lymph node blockages or removal causes swelling. If groin nodes, for example, are blocked, the legs swell.

I can’t give you a definite diagnosis of your swelling. You can help yourself by keeping your legs elevated as much as possible. Elevation means lying on your back, with legs propped up higher than your heart.

The booklet on edema and lymphedema explain this common problem and its treatment. Readers can obtain a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue — No. 106, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Three years ago, I saw an eye doctor, who looked into my eyes with a light. He said I had drewson, but didn’t say anything about them. I’m not seeing as well as I did. Could that be due to drewson? — C.K.

ANSWER: Drusen (pronounced exactly as you spelled the word) are yellow deposits on the retina. Large and numerous drusen are a sign of macular degeneration.

The vision loss due to macular degeneration is central vision loss, the vision needed to drive, watch TV, read and perform tasks like sewing. Off-to-the side vision remains. Make an appointment with the eye doctor again. He’ll tell you if you would benefit from taking a pill containing vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper. It’s used for dry macular degeneration, the more common kind. Injections are used for the wet variety.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My doctor had me get an MRI for my back pain. Since I had it done, I have had no more pain. I think the MRI cured me. Do you agree? I know magnets are used in the MRI and that magnets also are used for arthritis. — K.J.

ANSWER: You’re correct. Magnets are involved in creating the kind of pictures that an MRI scan obtains.

I have never heard of an MRI curing anything. I don’t have an explanation why your pain left. Let’s just say you’re lucky. If you want to credit the scan, that’s OK by me.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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