Fluid Retention, Home Remedies For Swelling & Swelling Feet!
swelling feet
A. What is Swelling?
Swelling can occur in any part of the body. It is an increase in the size or some change in the shape of an area on your body. Swelling may be accompanied by pain and a tingling sensation in the affected area. It causes much discomfort sometimes, not allowing you to do your regular activities normally. swelling
B. Causes of Swelling:
Causes of swelling can include:
If you have an injury on your ankle, hand or any particular area of your body, a local swelling might develop there. swelling swelling swelling
- An injury, infections like abscess, burns and insect bites can cause localized swelling to occur.
- Certain medications, or insect stings, may cause an allergic reaction in the body and lead to a generalized swelling.
- Another kind of swelling may occur due to abnormal tissue growth.
- A very common swelling occurs when you stand or sit in a position for too long, it may lead to swelling in the feet and ankles.
- Body fluid accumulates in these areas due to the pull of gravity.
- Accumulation of fluids is called edema.
C. Types of Swelling:
There are two main types of swellings that can occur in your body.
- Localized swelling is in a restricted area, limiting itself to the place of injury.
- Generalized swelling is all over the body, or it could be on the whole limb. Body fluids accumulate in the affected areas and this leads to the swelling.
E. Home Remedies For Swelling:
1. Apply an Ice Pack:
Ice treatment is most commonly used for acute injuries. If you have had a recent injury (within the last 48 hours) where swelling is a problem, you should be using ice.
- If you have a swelling due to an injury, application of ice packs is very effective in reducing the swelling.
- Wrap some ice cubes in a clean cloth and apply this ice pack to the affected area.
- This provides a lot of relief from the pain and the swelling subsides on a regular application.
- Ice packs can help minimize swelling around the injury, reduce bleeding into the tissues, and reduce muscle spasm and pain.
2. Apply Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera possesses many medicinal properties due to which it is used as a home remedy for many ailments.
- It contains a substance called Brady kininase, which reduces swelling in the affected areas.
- Apply aloe vera gel to the affected part of the body every hour till the swelling subsides.
- It provides a soothing feeling and is very beneficial in the case of insect bites which itch a great deal.
3. Ginger Tea:
Ginger is the most popular home remedy for treating many kinds of ailments.
- It contains compounds that help to reduce the swelling and alleviate pain.
- Ginger has blood thinning properties and this helps prevent the fluid and blood collection in the affected area.
- Add some crushed, fresh ginger root to a bowl of water and boil for a few minutes.
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4. Eat Pineapple:
Pineapples are rich in a compound called bromelain that is effective in preventing excess fluid collection in the affected part of your body. Eat slices of fresh pineapple regularly until the swelling vanishes completely.
5. Apply Hot and Cold Towels: swelling feet
Use temperature to treat the inflammation and swelling by alternating between hot and cold treatments.
First,
- Cover the affected area with a towel soaked in some cold water.
- This helps reduce the swelling as the blood flow gets restricted.
Now,
- After half an hour, apply a hot towel to the same area.
- The heat helps alleviate the pain.
- Continue this treatment till the swelling subsides completely.
6. Massage:
The swollen area can be painful, so a very gentle massage is only advised. Massaging the affected area in slow, gentle strokes, in the direction of your heart, helps remove the excess fluid collected there. This helps bring down the swelling. swelling feet
7. Elevate The Swollen Part:
Excess fluid collects in the affected region and causes swelling. You need to get rid of this collected fluid in order to reduce it. The best way to achieve this is by elevating the swollen part of the body above your heart level.
Do this for at least half an hour, thrice a day, in order to allow the fluid to drain away. You will notice a considerable reduction in swelling in the affected area.
8. Reduce Salt Intake:
Excess salt causes bloating and fluid retention in the body. You already have enough fluid retention in the affected parts of your body and you need to reduce it! Cut down on your salt intake if you have generalized swelling in your body due to some infection, allergy, or disease.
This will certainly help prevent fluid collection and bring down the swelling considerably. Avoid processed, preserved and junk foods as their salt content is quite high.
9. Drink Plenty of Water:
It may seem strange that since fluid collection causes swelling, you are being asked to drink more water. But, drinking plenty of water will help flush out toxins from your body and help it effectively filter out the fluid that is causing the swelling. Water also keeps the body tissues well hydrated and helps in good blood circulation, which allows the body to heal faster. swelling feet swelling feet
F. Home Remedies For Swelling Feet:
Swelling in the feet is not a major cause of concern because the feet and ankles normally swell if you stand for long periods or walk a lot or even if you sit inactive for a long time with your feet resting in one position.
- Increased age.
- Blood clots in the legs.
- A buildup of fluids in the foot, ankle, and leg.
- Obesity and venous insufficiency are the most common causes of swelling.
If the swelling does not abate then it can be a sign of serious diseases like liver failure, heart failure, and kidney failure. Foot injuries and certain medications can also lead to swelling in the feet.
The swelling can make walking difficult and also result in pain. It also brings a tingling sensation or numbness in the feet. However, several home remedies can help you get over this problem and its distressful symptoms.
1. Epsom Salt:
Directions:
- Fill your bathtub with extra warm water and dissolve two cups of Epsom salt into it.
- Soak your whole body in this solution for twenty-five minutes or until the water turns tepid.
The magnesium sulfate present in the salt will ease the swelling and pain and since it is easily absorbed by the skin, it will also keep the blood vessels in good health and improve circulation.
2. Grapefruit Essential Oil:
This oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which bring considerable relief in the swelling and ease the pressure of the accumulated fluid in the legs, feet, and ankles.
Directions:
- Fill a bucket with some hot water and add a few drops of grapefruit essential oil to it.
- Soak your feet in this solution three times daily.
- In addition to this, mix some grapefruit essential oil with some olive oil and massage your feet with it.
- Rub the oil all over the feet, ankles, and calves in a circular motion or an upward motion towards the heart.
3. Mustard Soak:
Mustard alleviates the swelling instantly and stimulates blood circulation thereby bringing instant relief in the numbness and pain.
Directions:
- Grind some mustard seeds to a fine powder.
- Fill a bucket with some hot water and add four teaspoons of the mustard powder and four teaspoons of salt to it.
- Soak your feet in this solution until the water loses heat.
- You can use this soak two or three times daily.
4. Lemon Juice:
Lemons are rich in vitamin C which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also rich in other valuable nutrients which provide vital strength to the body and keep it free from all sorts of infections and diseases.
Directions:
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of water.
- Add two teaspoons of honey and a small pinch of kala namak.
- Drink this mixture two or three times daily.
5. Cinnamon Oil:
Cinnamon has potent anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties. It will not only bring down the swelling but will also soothe and calm the strained and overstretched muscles and ligaments. It will also disperse the accumulated fluid and reduce the tenderness. swelling feet
Directions:
- Mix some cinnamon oil and olive oil and massage your feet and ankles with it thoroughly.
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Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment for any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
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