How to Reduce Swelling

Swelling of different parts of the body, is generally referred to as the medical condition known as edema. When excess body fluid gets trapped in the tissues, the action is manifested by swelling, that is commonly noticed in the arms, hands, feet, legs and ankles. There could be a variety of reasons which trigger the swelling, and the pain and discomfort that accompanies it. This condition, if ignored, may give rise to complications like scarring, difficulty in walking, stiffness in the affected area, risk of infection, impaired blood circulation, and ulceration. As we proceed further in this article, you would know about various methods on how to reduce swelling. But before we come to that, it would be beneficial for you to know what causes swelling and what symptoms does it exhibit.

Edema or Swelling Causes

As you must be knowing, one common factor that causes this condition is some kind of trauma to the affected area. Twisting an ankle while running, suffering injury on the calf while playing football, etc. are known to be the common reasons behind swelling. Other mild causes include sitting or standing in one position for a prolonged period of time, and a high-sodium diet. Swollen hands and feet, and facial swelling are common during pregnancy, and so are during the premenstrual period. Besides these causes, there are various other causes of swelling too. These causes could be certain underlying medical conditions, which might include:

• Disease of the kidneys
• Kidney damage
• Weak veins in legs
• Impaired function of the lymphatic system
• Congestive heart failure
• Cirrhosis

In some patients, certain medications give rise to ankle pain and swelling. The common ones could be estrogens, calcium channel blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.

Swelling Treatment

Coming to the main subject of this article on how to reduce swelling, treating the underlying cause helps in reducing the symptoms. Reducing salt content in the diet is also a part of the treatment. Apart from what the doctors recommend, you can take some self-care measures at home to hasten the recovery period. These are detailed as follows:

• One of the important steps to know about how to reduce swelling in the face, is to use a cold compress. Its use is known to significantly reduce swelling in areas such as those of the eyes, upper cheeks and upper nose. It also works well for upper lip swelling. To make a cold compress at home, simply get some ice cubes and place them in a plastic bag. Now warp this bag with a clean towel and apply it to the swollen area.
• One important tip I would like to give you on how to reduce swelling in the knee is about massaging. As mentioned, accumulation of excess fluid in the tissue results in swelling. So, gently massaging the area would help in stimulating blood circulation thus, reducing the swelling. Ensure that you apply gentle but firm pressure while massaging.
• For how to reduce swelling in feet, the same method of massaging helps significantly.

Apart from all these steps, there are a few more which do well for dealing with all types of swelling. These include:

• Wearing compression socks, sleeves and gloves enhances blood flow in the area thus improving the symptoms. They work by maintaining pressure in the affected areas thus, preventing them from accumulating more fluid.
• Another beneficial tip on how to reduce swelling is to keep the swollen hand or leg at an elevated position. For instance, if your legs have swollen, keep them at an elevated position with the help of two or three pillows. This has to be done at least for 30 minutes, three to four times a day.
• As mentioned, excess sodium in the diet is also one of the causes of edema. So minimizing salty foods can make a great difference. Fresh fruits and vegetables should make up for a larger part of the diet, instead of foods that are high in fat.
• Physical activities which help move the muscles in the swollen part of the body also adds to the treatment. However, such activities work well when done under the guidance of a professional.
• Apart from knowing about how to reduce swelling, it is also essential to be aware of the factors which worsen the condition. One of them being exposure to extreme temperatures. That is why patients are advised to avoid hot showers, hot saunas, and exposing themselves to freezing temperatures.

These were the various ways on how to reduce swelling in hands, face and feet. As I have already mentioned, the complications of the condition could be severe, if timely treatment is not sought for. So monitor the symptoms closely, if any, and in case of unexplained swelling, consult your doctor at the earliest.