Best treatments for swollen feet or ankles

Swollen feet or ankles are no fun.  They’re uncomfortable, unsightly, and prevent you from moving freely.  They are also caused by several different factors. No matter what the cause, from pregnancy, an injury, tight-fitting shoes, travel or surgery, all you want is the swelling to go down and to get back to normal.

First, swelling in your feet or ankles that comes on unexpectedly or suddenly without any known reason, requires a doctors evaluation.  This is to rule out possible blood clots, infection, heart failure, kidney disease, thyroid problems or other serious medical condition needing attention right away. Swelling that is occurring on only one side, needs to be seen immediately as this could indicate a deep vein thrombosis or DVT.

Edema is another name for swelling and happens when your body retains fluid in the lower legs, ankles and feet. It most often occurs on both sides of the body and is not a medical emergency situation.  This type of swelling seen in feet and ankles needs good management to reduce and relieve symptoms associated with the situation. 

To relive swollen, painful feet or ankles, here are top ways to help treat it on your own:

·      Wear compression socks - After checking with your doctor on the safety of wearing compression socks for swollen feet or ankles, check with your local pharmacy for this product.  Compression socks provide pain relief and prevent fluid collection in your legs, feet, and ankles. Be sure to choose the right “weight” for you – they generally are sold in light, medium or heavy weight. Select a pair that is not too tight for your body – it’s best to start out with lightweight ones and go from there.

·      Elevate your legs – To increase blood flow and reduce swelling, take a break to prop up your legs.  Whether lying on the floor with your feet elevated against a wall or lying on your couch elevating your legs on top, either way is good for helping your legs, feet and ankles feel much better.

·      Lose weight if overweight – The more you weigh, the more pressure placed on your feet and ankles.  Just a relatively small weight gain of 10-25 pounds can cause painful symptoms due to increased stress on the feet and ankles. For your feet, xxtra weight creates extra pressure making standing and walking uncomfortable.  Being obese also stretches out and wears down the connective tissue and natural fat pads in your feet. Besides swelling, carrying extra pounds can lead to ball-of-foot pain, planta fasciitis and heel pain, stress fractures and pressure ulcers.  Ankles also feel the brunt of extra weight not only leading to swelling but also weakened tendons and ligaments, increased risk of ankle sprain, and gait changes leading to mechanical issues with the ankles.

·      Increase exercise – Prolonged inactivity such as sitting or standing too long in one place can increase swelling. Move your knees, and flex and extend your ankles for relief.  Consider swimming as well as it is a non-weight-bearing exercise that can also soothe swollen ankles.

·      Use Epsom salts – Soaking in a bath of Epsom salt allows magnesium and sulfate to absorb into your skin to reduce swelling. About 68 percent of Americans consume less than what the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for magnesium.  Magnesium is necessary to help regulate the activity of more than 300 enzymes in the body and a lack of it can lead to high blood pressure, hyperactivity, and heart problems. By soaking in a bath containing Epsom salt, the magnesium and sulfate can be absorbed through the skin and is considered a safe, easy method to increase the body’s amount of magnesium and sulfate.  Add 2 cups of Epsom salt to running water in a bathtub and soak for at least 12 minutes. 

·      Other simple changes:

·      Take a short walk every hour

·      Drink eight to 10 cups of water daily.  Drinking less actually promotes swelling

·      Limit your salt intake to between 1500-2300 milligrams a day

·      Put phone books or bricks under the foot of your bed to elevate your legs and feet at night