Q. I'm in my 60s, and I've noticed that my fingers and ankles - which look fine when I wake up - are often a bit swollen by the time I go to bed. Why does this happen? A. Edema - swelling caused by fluid trapped in body tissues - can affect anyone, but especially people 65 and older. Fingers, ankles, and feet are common sites for edema, but it can also occur in your face, legs, or belly. Many factors make edema more likely as we get older. Weakened valves in veins can lead to fluid buildup,