Swelling of ankles is one of the most common conditions that can occur at any age, but older people are more likely to get it.
There can be many reasons that can cause the development of swollen ankles, for example, high consumption of sodium, sitting or standing for longer periods, pregnancy, obesity, or taking some medications. Wondering how to get rid of swollen ankles fast? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read on to get the best solutions to cure your swollen ankles.
Usually, swollen ankles are not considered a very serious health issue as it can be resolved using home remedies or certain medications. But, swollen ankles caused by underlying health issues may require special medical treatments.
However, if your swollen ankles are painless or cause very mild pain, then there are some home remedies that can be used to accelerate the process of healing your swollen ankles.
How To Get Rid Of Swollen Ankles Fast Naturally?
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Before you proceed further, please note that swollen ankles that show any serious signs like extreme pain, a rise in temperature or you feel shivery, have diabetes, the affected area is hot or getting red should not be treated at home. Chances are that the condition is severe, which should only be cured under the eye of a medical expert.
However, if your swollen ankles don’t show any serious signs, proceed with home remedies to improve your health condition. Here are the nine simple, but highly effective natural ways to get rid of swollen ankles fast.
Give Yourself a Gentle Massage
Massage is an optimal solution to treat swollen ankles that are caused by lymphedema. It is a condition in which excessive fluids get trapped in the feets which results in swelling around that area.
The condition can be improved by massaging your swollen legs upward in a circulation motion with a bit of pressure. It helps in moving stuck fluid back to the blood vessels and reduces swelling of your ankles.
Utilize Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is known to be great therapy to help swollen legs as it provides relaxation to the muscles and eliminates all the toxins from the body. It also consists of minerals like magnesium and sulphate, which help in improving swelling and pain from your ankles.
Simply add some epsom salt in warm water, and soak the affected area of your body in the solution for at least 15 minutes. Make sure that water is not too hot or cold as it can worsen the situation.
Stay Hydrated
Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to help your body’s lymphatic function. It will prevent your body from retaining unnecessary fluid in the body and ultimately help reduce swelling. Always remind yourself to drink enough water everyday. If possible, try setting a reminder to sip some water every 30 minutes.
It won’t only help you heal your swollen ankles, but also provide other health benefits.
Elevate Your Legs
How to get rid of Swollen ankles fast? The elevation technine may help you.
When you are relaxing or sleeping, position your legs above your heart to aid swelling. Do it for at least 30 minutes a day for three times everyday to see its effects.
The logic behind this solution is that when you raise your legs upward for a decent period of time, it sends back the excessive stuck fluid to your heart and allows it to circulate throughout your body.
Limit Consuming Salt
If you have a diet which consists of high amounts of sodium, you are more likely to experience swelling.
Excessive intake of salt can increase the risks of water retention in many body parts like hands, ankles and feet, which causes leakage in tissues, ultimately leading to swelling.
Try limiting the consumption of salt in your daily life to aid your swollen ankles. When buying packaged food, read labels carefully and opt for the ones with low sodium.
Also, consume plenty of fluid throughout the day, it helps eliminate extra sodium from the body.
Make Changes In Your Diet
A highly nutritious diet can be the best way to cure any health condition, including swollen ankles. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consume food that helps to reduce swelling, for instance foods that are high in magnesium and potassium.
Lack of magnesium in the body causes water retention, which may result in swollen ankles. To maintain a decent amount of magnesium levels in your body, consume foods like spinach, almonds, cashews, brown rice, etc.
Deficiency of potassium can also cause the buildup of extra fluid in the body, causing swollen ankles. Hence, add foods in your diet that are high in potassium, for example, broccoli, spinach, beans, potato, banana, kidney beans, etc.
You can also add potassium supplements in your diet, but make sure to consult your doctor first to avoid any possible risks.
However, avoid consuming potassium if you have health issues like heart disease, kidney disease, stomach ulcers or any other health issue that may worsen due to potassium.
Loose Some Weight
Being overweight can also be one of the causes of swollen ankles. Aim to reach and maintain healthy body weight by indulging in regular exercise and consuming a high nutritious diet to reduce the risk of swelling.
Move Yourself
Being stagnant for a longer period increases the risk of swelling. Sitting or standing for longer periods increases the risk of build up of excessive fluid in the tissues of various body parts like ankles.
Try to take a little walk or make some movements every now and then. The main idea is to flex your ankles or knees to increase the blood flow in that area for the betterment of your swollen ankles.
However, if your condition is severe and it’s uncomfortable to walk or make any movements, allow yourself to rest and opt for other solutions to treat your swollen legs.
Wear Compression Socks
Compression socks can be an effective solution to help your swollen ankles, especially if you are suffering from venous insufficiency, a condition that causes poor blood flow in the body, which may also cause the accumulation of blood in lower parts of legs.
Compression stocks puts pressure on your legs which aids in blood circulation and eliminates stuck fluid from that area, ultimately helping improve your swollen ankles.
Many types of compression socks available in the market, choose the one that provides the most relief. If possible, talk to your doctor to determine the best type of compression socks for your health condition.
What To Do If Your Swollen Ankles Don’t Get Better?
Now, you know how to get rid of swollen ankles fast naturally? Now let’s understand what to do if the condition does not get better.
Even after using natural solutions mentioned above your swollen ankles don’t show any improvement, there’s a high likelihood that your swelling is caused by an underlying disease. In that case, seek medical help to cure your swollen ankles.
There are also some signs that might be an indication of a serious problem, for example, swelling in only one ankle, redness and extreme pain around that area, swelling lasting for more than two weeks. If you experience them or any other unusual signs along with swollen ankles, do not wait and call your doctor right away.
They will help determine what exactly has caused swelling in your ankles and may recommend antibiotic treatment and some therapies to treat your swollen ankles effectively.
Conclusion
Swollen ankles are not considered a serious condition and can easily be cured using home remedies like making changes in diet, elevating legs, massaging, drinking plenty of water, etc.
But, if the condition is caused by an underlying health issue and shows unusual signs like extreme pain, then immediate medical attention is required to initiate the right treatment at the right time.
That was all that you needed to learn about how to get rid of swollen ankles fast. Hope this article helped you by providing some effective solutions.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Q1 .What Is Best To Drink For Swollen Ankles?
It is always best to drink plenty of water to help your swollen ankles.
Q2. How Much Time It Takes To Cure Swollen Ankles?
Generally, it takes a few weeks for swollen ankles to heal fully. But, if the condition is severe, it can take months.
Q3. Is Ankle Swelling Related To The Heart?
Swelling of the lower part of legs like ankles or feet might be an indication of a heart problem. But it is not always the case. Talk to your doctor to find out the exact cause of your swollen ankles.
Ansh Sharma is a content writer who possesses the skill of describing different topics in a simple and creative manner. He has a vast interest in crypto and finances, but is also well-versed with many other niches like pets, health, technology, gaming, etc. Apart from writing, he loves to read non-fiction books to continually learn and grow.
