You can usually treat swelling successfully at home.Rest and ice are usually used to treat swelling caused by an injury or medical procedure.For chronic fluid retention due to pregnant women, things like light exercise and diet changes can help.If you have an allergic reaction and need immediate medical attention, read on for some helpful advice on how to reduce swelling on your own.
Step 1: Rest and elevate the swollen area.
Trying to "gut it out" by playing the next day will only make the problem worse if you twisted your ankle playing basketball.Give the swollen area time to recuperate.If possible, elevate the swollen area while resting so that it is even with or higher than your heart.After a few days of rest, swelling will go away on its own.If you have an injured foot, use crutches or a cane to relieve the pressure on the swollen area.Put the swollen area on pillows when you are sitting or lying down.If you have an injured arm, use the other arm to do things.Keep your arm elevated with a sling.
Step 2: Ice can be applied for up to 20 minutes per hour.
During the first 72 hours after the swelling occurs, icing is the most effective.Wrap an ice pack, bag of ice cubes, or bags of frozen vegetables in a tea towel and hold it to the swollen area for up to 20 minutes, then wait at least 40 minutes before repeating the process.It may end up increasing the swelling if you apply ice more frequently.Blood flow to the area is reduced by icing.If you are still having pain and swelling after 72 hours of regular icing, contact your doctor.If the swelling gets worse even with frequent icing, call the doctor sooner.Ice may cause damage to your skin.
Step 3: Inflammation and pain can be reduced by taking over-the-counter drugs.
Ibuprofen and naproxen are popular OTC NSAIDs.Aspirin has a higher risk of stomach upset or bleeding issues.It has no effect on swelling.Take the medication according to the instructions.If you have questions or experience side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Step 4: Wrap the area to protect it.
Wrap a swollen ankle, knee, wrist, or elbow with a non-adhesive elastic bandage.Wrap the bandage around the area so that you don't feel any pain.If the bandage needs to be re-wrap, keep it on for at least the first 72 hours after swelling begins.If you have access to an athletic trainer, physical therapist, or doctor, ask them for advice on wrapping your swollen joint.Try a compression sleeve for your elbow or ankle.As with a bandage wrap, make sure they are not too tight.
Step 5: It's a good idea to avoid applying heat during the first 3 days.
During the first 72 hours after swelling starts, say "yes" to ice and "no to heat"Blood flow and swelling are increased when heat is applied to the area.After 72 hours, applying heat for up to 20 minutes per hour may provide soothing relief and help loosen up stiff joints and muscles.You can find relief by alternating between icing and heating the area after the first 72 hours of regular icing.
Step 6: The Mediterranean diet has foods that reduce inflammation.
Fruits and vegetables tend to have anti- inflammatory properties, while less healthy foods can increase inflammation.It is possible to reduce swelling with an anti- inflammatory diet rich in vegetables.Aim to cut back on fried foods, processed meats, refined grains and sugars, and unhealthy fats, as well as increase your intake of foods found in the Mediterranean diet, especially the following: olive oil.Fruits include strawberries, cherries, and oranges.Some greens are leafy.There are nuts like almonds and walnuts.Fish with a lot of fat like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines.
Step 7: If prescribed, take diuretics to deal with the swelling.
If you have a condition that causes excess fluid to build up, such as a pregnant woman, medication side effects, or other health issues, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic like Lasix.You can get a pill or an injection from your healthcare provider.Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.Water pills are a type of dehydration.Limit how much salt your body absorbs to reduce fluid retention.Edema can be found in the feet, legs, and hands.
Step 8: Light exercise, such as walking, can help with swelling.
If you have an injury or medical procedure, rest the affected area.If you combine rest with frequent periods of light exercise, chronic swelling due to a medical condition or lifestyle habits will respond better.For abdominal or lower body swelling, getting up and taking 5-minute walks throughout the day may be helpful.Light activities like yoga, swimming, or water aerobics can be considered.The waterfall is a yoga pose that encourages retained fluid to flow from your legs back to the rest of your body and reduces swelling.Don't get too carried away!Light activity doesn't cause any additional pain or swelling in the affected area.If you sit at a desk all day and end up with swelling in your legs, you should walk around the office at least once per hour.
Step 9: Natural diuretics are some of the foods you should eat.
Asparagus, parsley, beets, grapes, green beans, leafy greens, pineapple, pumpkin, onion, and garlic are some of the high-nutrient foods that have natural diuretic effects.Don't eat more of these foods if you're on a diuretic medication.It's always a concern if you have edema and you're on a diuretic.Try to eat more of the high-nutrient foods such as potatoes, beans, and bananas.Magnesium is found in nuts, seeds, beans, and dark green vegetables.Milk products and broccoli have calcium in them.Meat, poultry, fish, and milk products have Zinc in them.
Step 10: If you want to decrease fluid retention, reduce your salt intake.
It is beneficial for any type of swelling if you cut back on sodium.It is good for your health.Replacing the salt in your dishes with herbs, spices, and fresh flavors is one way to reduce your salt intake.The current adult sodium recommendation in the U.S. is to aim for less than 2,300 IU per day.If you have heart failure, you need to talk to your doctor about getting too little salt in your diet.
Step 11: It helps to drink lots of water.
You might be tempted to cut back on your fluid intake since all types of swelling involve excess fluid retention.It's important to drink enough water to keep your swelling in check.Try to drink water frequently enough that you don't feel thirsty throughout the day, instead of aiming for a set amount.A sign of dehydration is unexplained swelling.If you want to increase fluid retention, opt for water and water-rich fruits and vegetables as much as possible, and cut back on alcohol and sugars.
Step 12: If you have an allergic reaction, take immediate action.
A life-threatening swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat can be caused by a severe allergic reaction.Other signs of anaphylaxis include trouble swallowing, chest pains, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.If you have been prescribed an EpiPen due to a history of allergic reactions, you should use it immediately.Right through your clothes, inject the dose.If you do not have an EpiPen, move on to the next step.It's even better to have someone with you when you call emergency services.If you have one, use it first.Even if you feel better after using the EpiPen, get medical attention and follow up with your doctor.
Step 13: If you have persistent swelling, consult your doctor.
Call if your feet swell up frequently.If you have a swollen wrist from a sports injury that doesn't respond to treatments like rest and icing after 72 hours, contact your doctor.It is important to figure out if an underlying problem is causing your body to swell.It can take up to 3 weeks for an injury to fully heal, so it is best to rule out other possibilities.Don't get too worried here!It makes sense to rule outSwelling in most cases.Pre-eclampsia, an uncommon but serious condition that causes high blood pressure along with swelling, may be a sign of severe swelling during pregnancy.The body swells up when certain medications are used.Anti-depressants, hormone treatments, and blood pressure medication can cause swelling.There is fluid in the body caused by heart failure, kidneys failure and liver failure.
Step 14: If you have swelling, call your doctor right away.
If you have swelling in conjunction with other symptoms, that could be a sign that you are having serious problems.You need to seek medical attention if that's the case.If you have chest pain, contact your doctor.There was a shortness of breath.There was a lot of achy skin.The area is swollen.There was a sudden increase in swelling.Along with a diagnosis of a heart or liver problem.