- Compression socks. Available at your local drug store, shoe store or online, compression socks provide pain relief and prevent fluid collection in your legs, ankles and feet. ...
- Elevation. Prop your legs up on an ottoman to help decrease swelling. ...
- Exercise. Sitting or standing in one place for too long can increase swelling. Move your knees, and flex and extend your ankles for relief. ...
- Weight loss. Losing weight can reduce swelling and improve your health overall, Dr. Botek says.
- Epsom salt. Soak your feet and ankles for 15 to 20 minutes in a cool bath filled with Epsom salt to relieve swelling-associated pain. ...
- Magnesium supplements. It’s possible that adding 200 to 400 mg of magnesium to your daily diet can help limit your water retention and pain. ...
- Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.
- Exercise your legs. ...
- Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.
- Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).
- When traveling, take breaks often to stand up and move around.
How to reduce swelling in legs quickly?
Method 1 Method 1 of 3: Immediate Relief Download Article
- Take off any tight-fitting clothes. Clothes that constrict your waist, legs, or thighs can cause swelling in your legs.
- Elevate your leg above your heart. Sit back or lie down and use pillows, blankets, or an ottoman to elevate your swollen leg to a level above your heart.
- Massage your leg to improve circulation. ...
What are home remedies for swollen feet?
How to Get Rid of Swollen Feet; 8 Home Remedies For Swollen Feet
- Epsom Salt. Today’s list starts with Epsom salt. ...
- Tonic Water. Tonic water is yet another quick remedy to bring down inflammation. ...
- Baking Soda. Use a paste of baking soda as one of the quickest home remedies for swollen feet. ...
- Lemon. ...
- Coriander Seeds. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Parsley. ...
- Barley Water. ...
When to see a doctor for swollen legs treatment?
Swelling in the ankles, feet or legs often goes away on its own. See a GP if it does not get better in a few days. Swelling in the ankles, feet and legs is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema.
What is the best cure for swollen legs?
Treatment Options
- Leg elevation during periods of rest. ...
- Compression stockings. ...
- Close monitoring and management of other medical conditions that may lead to swelling.
- Limit salt/sodium intake in the diet.
- Adjustment of medications that may be contributing to the swelling.
How do you get rid of swollen legs and feet fast?
Here are 10 to try.Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. ... Buy compression socks. ... Soak in a cool Epsom salt bath for about 15 to 20 minutes. ... Elevate your feet, preferably above your heart. ... Get moving! ... Magnesium supplements can be helpful for some people. ... Make some dietary changes. ... Lose weight if you're overweight.More items...
What medicine is good for swollen legs and feet?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help ease swelling and pain. Acetaminophen might also fight pain. Some doctors say magnesium is a good mineral to add to your diet to help with painful swelling.
How do you make swelling go down fast?
Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling. It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.
What causes legs and feet to swell badly?
Leg swelling isn't always a sign of a heart or circulation problem. You can have swelling due to fluid buildup simply from being overweight, being inactive, sitting or standing for a long time, or wearing tight stockings or jeans. Factors related to fluid buildup include: Acute kidney failure.
What foods to avoid when you have swollen feet?
To reduce swelling all over your body, podiatrist, Dr. Paul Ross near Rockville, MD recommends that you avoid fast food, potato chips and packaged sweets. Watch out for sneaky sources of sodium like condiments, sauces and canned food. Fruits and veggies are a staple of a bloat-free diet.
What naturally reduces swelling?
Some of the best sources of omega-3s are cold water fish, such as salmon and tuna, and tofu, walnuts, flax seeds and soybeans. Other anti-inflammatory foods include grapes, celery, blueberries, garlic, olive oil, tea and some spices (ginger, rosemary and turmeric).
What is a home remedy for swollen legs?
Support stockingsMovement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. ... Elevation. ... Massage. ... Compression. ... Protection. ... Reduce salt intake.
Does hot water reduce swelling?
If you use heat on a swollen area, it can increase inflammation. This will prevent your injury from healing. Moist heat, like hot showers, saunas, steam baths, hot baths, or just warm damp towels, can help loosen tight muscles.
What is the treatment of swelling?
Using an ice pack or compression bandage can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease discomfort. If the swelling and pain do not go away, a person might need to see their doctor to rule out more severe damage.
How do I stop my legs from swelling?
Some tips that may help reduce swelling:Put your legs on pillows to raise them above your heart while lying down.Exercise your legs. ... Follow a low-salt diet, which may reduce fluid buildup and swelling.Wear support stockings (sold at most drugstores and medical supply stores).More items...•
Are swollen legs serious?
Seek medical care right away if your legs swell for no apparent reason, especially if you have unexplained leg pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain or other warning signs of a blood clot in your lungs or a heart condition. Many factors — varying greatly in severity — can cause leg swelling.
What doctor treats leg swelling?
If you experience swelling that does not go away on its own, make an appointment to see your primary doctor. If the issue doesn't improve, ask your doctor for a referral to a vascular specialist.
How to treat swelling on both sides of body?
You can often treat the symptoms of swelling that occur on both sides of your body yourself, Dr. Botek says. Here are some ideas that can help: Compression socks. Available at your local drug store, shoe store or online, compression socks provide pain relief and prevent fluid collection in your legs, ankles and feet.
What is swelling in the legs?
Swelling (or what doctors refer to as edema) happens when your body retains fluid in your lower legs, ankles and feet, she says. It most often occurs on both sides of the body, and it’s not an emergency situation. “When it comes to swelling, it’s about management and getting through the day,” Dr. Botek says.
Why are my shoes so tight?
Shoes that are too tight due to swelling can often cut into your skin and create wounds. Most importantly, if swelling only occurs on one side, consult your doctor immediately. You could be at risk for deep vein thrombosis. Advertising Policy.
How to treat diabetic neuropathy in feet?
If you have diabetic neuropathy in your feet, check the water with your hands first to avoid exposing your feet to extreme temperatures. Magnesium supplements.
How to reduce swelling in the body?
You can make small changes to your everyday life to help reduce swelling: Take a short walk every hour. Drink eight to 10 glasses of water daily. Drinking less actually promotes swelling. Limit your salt and carbohydrate intake.
How to get rid of a swollen leg at night?
Limit your salt and carbohydrate intake. Put phone books or bricks under the foot of your bed to elevate your legs and feet at night. Some people looking for relief from this chronic, annoying problem also try essential oils such as peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil and/or lavender or chamomile.
What are the symptoms of a swollen leg?
Call your physician if you develop: 1 Leg ulcerations. 2 Increased pain. 3 Blisters. 4 Redness. 5 Drainage.
What causes swelling in the legs and ankles?
The condition causes breathing difficulties and severe, chronic swelling in the legs and ankles. Lymphedema. Also known as lymphatic obstruction, lymphedema causes blockages in the lymphatic system. This system is made up of lymph nodes and blood vessels that help carry fluid throughout the body.
What does it mean when a blood clot forms in your leg?
A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s in a solid state. When a blood clot forms in a vein of the leg, it can impair blood flow, leading to swelling and discomfort. Injury or infection. An injury or infection affecting the foot, leg, or ankle results in increased blood flow to the area. This presents as swelling.
What is swelling in the foot called?
Overview. Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is also known as peripheral edema, which refers to an accumulation of fluid in these parts of the body. The buildup of fluid usually isn’t painful, unless it’s due to injury. Swelling is often more apparent in the lower areas of the body because of gravity. Foot, leg, and ankle swelling is most common in ...
What medications cause swelling in the legs?
some antidepressants, including tricyclics and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen and aspirin. These types of medications can lead to water retention, causing swelling in the legs.
Why do my arms and legs swell?
A blockage in the lymphatic system causes tissues to become swollen with fluid, resulting in swelling in the arms and legs. Preeclampsia. This condition causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. The increase in blood pressure can result in poor circulation and swelling in the face, hands, and legs. Cirrhosis.
Why do my feet and ankles swell?
Other possible causes for foot, leg, and ankle swelling include certain medical conditions or body changes, such as: Natural hormonal changes. Fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone can cause reduced circulation in the legs, resulting in swelling.
Why do my feet swell?
There are many potential causes of foot, leg, and ankle swelling. In most cases, swelling occurs as a result of certain lifestyle factors, such as: Being overweight. Excess body mass can decrease blood circulation, causing fluid to build up in the feet, legs, and ankles.
How to stop swollen feet from sitting?
Exercise/Movement. When you’re standing or sitting for long periods of time, you need to ensure you move frequently to prevent your feet and legs from becoming swollen. If you can’t squeeze in some exercise, just get moving a little at least every hour.
Why do my feet swell?
As the valves that pass blood through your veins function less efficiently over time, water in the blood can enter the tissues of your feet , ankles and legs, resulting in swelling.
How to stop swelling in feet while pregnant?
At the first sign of swollen extremities, you should elevate your feet to increase blood flow. Trying propping your feet up, preferably above your heart, in 20 minute increments . You can also do this if you’re pregnant to prevent swelling in the first place.
Why do my lower extremities swell?
Additionally, travel, infections, ingrown toenails, medication side effects, tendinitis, injury and medical conditions like diabetes could also be what is causing your lower extremities to swell.
What causes swelling in the lower extremities?
What you eat and how much you eat can contribute to swelling in your lower extremities. If you commonly experience edema, try opting for lower-sodium foods. If you’re overweight, you should also consider losing weight to decrease the strain and pain caused when walking that often results in swelling.
How to stop edema in legs?
Try to aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to reduce and prevent edema.
Is swelling in the foot painful?
While swelling isn’t painful, it can be quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce swelling and even prevent it in the first place. However, if your swelling persists, is severe enough to leave an indentation when presses, is painful or affects just one foot, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist for proper treatment to address the root cause of your edema (what your doctor calls swelling).
How to get rid of swollen feet?
Massage your feet. Massage can be great for swollen feet and can also promote relaxation. Massage (or have someone massage them for you!) your feet toward your heart with firm strokes and some pressure. This can help move the fluid out of the area and reduce swelling. 10.
Why do my feet swell?
Painless swelling of the feet or ankles is common and can happen for a variety of reasons. Causes of swollen feet can include: staying on your feet too long. ill-fitting shoes. pregnancy.
What is it called when fluid accumulates in tissues?
certain medical conditions. When fluid accumulates in tissues, it’s called edema. While edema usually resolves on its own, there are some home remedies that may reduce the swelling more quickly and increase your own comfort. Here are 10 to try. 1.
How to reduce swelling in feet while pregnant?
If you’re looking to reduce foot swelling while pregnant, try elevating your feet several times a day as well. Aim for about 20 minutes at a time, even on an ottoman or a chair. Try to avoid standing for long periods of time and stay off your feet when you can. 5. Get moving!
How to reduce swelling in the body?
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn’t hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have. This contributes to swelling.
Does weight loss cause swelling in feet?
This can result in being more sedentary — which can also cause fluid buildup in the feet. Losing weight can help ease the strain on your feet and possibly reduce foot swelling as well.
Does Epsom salt help with muscle pain?
Epsom salt ( magnesium sulfate) may not only help with muscle pain. It may also reduce swelling and inflammation. The theory is that Epsom salt draws out toxins and increases relaxation.
How to treat a swollen leg?
Use the R.I.C.E. Method 1 Rest. If movement is painful at first, rest your legs and stay off them as much as you can until you’re able to move without pain. 2 Ice. Keep an ice pack on your legs for about 20 minutes every hour over the first 3 days after symptoms start. Avoid using heat, as it may make swelling worse. 3 Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage around your legs or wear compression stockings, which use pressure to keep swelling down. 4 Elevation. Keep your legs raised above the level of your heart for 30 minutes, three or four times per day, so that gravity can help move fluids out and toward the rest of your body.
How to help swelling in legs?
These tips will help with leg pain and swelling whenever you have to lie down or stay seated for long periods of time, such as when you’re sleeping, traveling, or working at a desk: Don’t wear tight clothing, especially around your thighs. Wear compression stockings that are approved by your doctor.
How to stop swelling in legs after a symtom?
Avoid using heat, as it may make swelling worse. Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage around your legs or wear compression stockings, which use pressure to keep swelling down. Elevation.
What is the best medicine for swelling?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen may help ease swelling and pain. Acetaminophen might also fight pain. Some doctors say magnesium is a good mineral to add to your diet to help with painful swelling.
How to stop swelling in the back of the leg?
Get up and stretch as often you can during the day. Focus on extending your knees as well as flexing your ankles to help with blood circulation. This may help pump extra fluid away from your legs and back toward your heart.
How to get fluid out of your legs?
Try Massage. If you can’t visit a massage therapist and don’t have any tools, you can still do massage on your own at home. Rub or stroke your legs upward, in the direction of your heart. Make sure the pressure is firm but not painful. This can help move excess fluid out of that area.
What are the symptoms of a swollen leg?
Have swelling in only one leg, especially if the skin is cool or pale. Have leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness that keeps getting worse. Have symptoms that don't get better after a few days of home treatment.
What causes a swollen ankle?
This can cause the ankles and feet to swell. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when blood clots form deep in the legs. DVT is a serious condition that can cause a blockage in the major leg veins. In some cases, the clots may break loose and move to the heart or lungs. Signs of DVT include: swelling in one leg.
What is edema in the body?
Share on Pinterest. Edema refers to swelling that results from trapped fluid. Edema is the medical term for swelling that occurs when fluid becomes trapped in the body’s tissues. It usually affects the legs and feet but can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the face or abdomen. Other signs of edema include:
What causes blood to leak down the legs?
10. Venous insufficiency. Venous insufficiency occurs when a person’s blood cannot flow around the body properly. This is due to damaged valves causing blood to leak down the vessels and fluid retention in the lower legs, particularly around the feet and ankles.
How to reduce swelling in a swollen ear?
Using an ice pack or compression bandage can help reduce swelling, and over-the-counter pain relievers can help ease discomfort. If the swelling and pain do not go away, a person might need to see their doctor to rule out more severe damage. 3. Pregnancy.
What causes swelling in the feet?
Steroids can cause swelling in the feet. Taking certain medications can result in the feet swelling, especially if they cause water retention. Medications that may cause the feet to swell include: hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. calcium-channel blockers that help control blood pressure.
What does it mean when you have swelling during pregnancy?
If swelling during pregnancy comes on suddenly and is severe, it could be a sign of preeclampsia. This is a condition that can occur during pregnancy or immediately after the birth. Symptoms include protein in the urine, rapid excessive fluid retention, and high blood pressure.
How to stop swelling in legs?
Home remedies include wearing support stockings, reducing salt intake, and lying down while raising the legs above the chest. If the swelling does not improve, a person should talk to their doctor to check for any underlying causes. 2. Foot or ankle injury.
What is the first line of treatment for venous hypertension?
The first line treatment for venous hypertension should be a combination of compression therapy and assessment of need for venous intervention. If there is soft, mild oedema in the presence of an ulcer, a leg ulcer kit may be appropriate.
What causes swelling in the lower legs and feet?
Swelling ( oedema) of the lower legs and feet happens when fluid in the lower legs has difficulty returning back up to the heart. There are many things that can cause this but in every case of chronic oedema you will find that lymphatic drainage is impaired in some way. This damage can be caused by two things: an underlying abnormality (‘primary’ ...
Why is being active important for lymphoedema?
Not having a pump like the heart to propel movement of lymph, the lymphatic system depends on muscle activity and deep breathing to work well and to reduce lymphatic swelling. Therefore being active is essential for a healthy lymphatic system and is a key part of Lymphoedema management.
What is the cause of shortness of breath?
This is known as cardiac oedema and also causes shortness of breath and weight gain. It is important that you consider cardiac oedema when treating patients presenting with these symptoms, and before you consider compression therapy.
What is oedema in the body?
Oedema is a buildup of fluid in the tissues of the body. The swelling can occur in one particular part of the body (for example the feet or ankles), or may be more general, depending on the cause. This image shows a chronic case.
What are the risk factors for venous insufficiency?
Possible risk factors for venous insufficiency, arterial disease, lymphoedema. A clinical assessment for significant arterial impairment. This may include, but should not be solely based on, measurement of Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI), particularly because a reading may not be possible in a swollen limb.
How to care for skin and prevent cellulitis?
How to care for their skin and prevent cellulitis. Activity, deep breathing, movement and standing/sitting. How to achieve and maintain a healthy diet and weight. Compression therapy for lymphoedema. This may involve singly, or in combination, bandaging, compression garments or wraps. Compression garments.
Why are my feet swollen after sitting?
Not all swollen feet are the same. But I guess you already knew that. For instance, swollen feet after sitting are different from lymphedema . Even the most common conditions can be confusing. For instance, swollen feet during pregnancy; they could have many reasons. Sometimes the reason is simple, like fluid overload. But sometimes it is something dangerous, like a blood clot, DVT. Or another example. Swelling from dependent edema can sometimes look just like swelling from a heart condition or kidney disease. But they are obviously very different. So you see, it becomes obvious that the first step in swollen feet treatment is to identify the cause.
Do compression stockings help with swelling?
The most important thing to remember about compression stockings is that they do not cure swelling. But compression stockings are good for controlling symptoms. The trick is to find compression stockings that fit well and have the correct amount of compression. Also, for some causes for swollen feet, compression stockings are more important than for others. For instance, lymphedema.
Does walking reduce swelling?
Movement, like walking, can reduce swelling. When we walk, our calve muscles pump fluid and pressure out of our lower legs. People who sit all day tend to have more swelling than active people.
Can gravity help you move your feet?
Gravity can be our friend. If we raise our feet, gravity can help pull fluid out of our feet. It’s physics. Raising the feet above the level of the heart is even better. But I always tell my patients not to overdo this. I do not think it makes sense not to be active just to raise your legs. What I do think makes sense is to raise your legs when you are not moving anyway. For instance, if you are sitting reading or watching TV. And of course, some people cannot raise their legs because of back issues. One can only do what one can do.
What does it mean when your feet are swollen?
You have unexplained, painful swelling of your feet or legs, particularly if it's only in one leg. The swollen area becomes warm, red or inflamed. The swelling is accompanied by a fever. Also seek immediate medical care if you're pregnant and develop: Sudden foot swelling. A noticeable change in foot swelling. Swelling in only one foot or leg.
What are the symptoms of sudden swelling?
Sudden swelling along with other new signs or symptoms such as severe headache, vision changes, upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or shortness of breath. Choose a symptom. Selected Select related factors. View possible causes.