Swelling can result from injury, pregnancy, and other health conditions. If left unchecked, the swelling can hinder daily activities and cause pain. Elevating the swollen area, drinking plenty of water, and applying something cold to the swollen area can relieve it. Read on for more ways to treat swelling.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Treating Swelling Due to Injury
Step 1. Rest the swollen area
Whether your body is swollen from an injury or poor circulation, it's best to give the swollen area a little rest. If your feet are swollen, try not to use them for strenuous activities for a few days until the swelling subsides.
- If you have injured your leg, consider using a cane or crutches to relieve pressure on the swollen area.
- If your arm is swollen from an injury, use your other arm to do something, or ask someone else for help.
Step 2. Elevate the swollen body part
Whenever you sit or lie down, lift the swollen body part with a pillow, so that it is above your heart. This will prevent blood from pooling in the swollen area and help improve your blood circulation.
- Use a sling to lift your arms if necessary.
- If the swelling is severe enough, sit for a few hours while lifting the swollen body part for a few hours.
Step 3. Apply a cold compress
The high temperature will only make your swelling worse, so relieve it by applying a cold compress. Do not apply ice directly to your skin, first wrap the ice in a towel and apply it to the swollen area. Do this for 15 minutes, several times a day.
Step 4. Take the medicine
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are medicines that can relieve pain and reduce swelling. The most widely used NSAIDs are paracetamol, ibuprofen and naproxen. Consult your doctor to determine the most suitable drug for your condition.
Part 2 of 3: Treating Swelling in General
Step 1. Do light exercises
Although you need to rest the swollen body part, stopping moving for a long time will hinder blood circulation and eventually make the swelling worse. Get up and walk occasionally on a typical workday, and incorporate a light exercise schedule into your weekly activities. Sports that you can do include yoga, swimming, and walking.
- If you sit all day, try getting up from your chair every now and then. If you can't do this, try walking around the office every few hours.
- When you sit down, change your sitting position every now and then and keep your legs slightly elevated as much as possible.
Step 2. Reduce your sodium intake
Large amounts of sodium can make swelling worse, so avoid eating foods that contain large amounts of sodium. In addition, drink plenty of water to flush the salt out of your body.
- To increase the ability of water to cleanse your body, try adding slices of cucumber and lemon - both of which have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Whenever possible, always drink water instead of choosing drinks that contain sodium. Even sugary drinks often have high levels of sodium.
Step 3. Customize your outfit
Tight clothing over the swollen body part can further block blood flow, which in turn can make the swelling worse. Avoid wearing tight clothing (especially nylon stockings or socks), and try wearing puffy support stockings.
Step 4. Take magnesium supplements
If you have a magnesium deficiency, your swelling may get worse. Purchase a magnesium supplement from your local drugstore and take 250 mg daily.
Step 5. Soak the swollen body part in tonic water
The bubbles and quinine in tonic water can help reduce swelling. Pour a cold (or lukewarm, if you prefer) tonic into a bowl and soak your swollen body part for 15-20 minutes once every day.
Step 6. Use Epsom bath salts
Epsom salt works as a natural anti-inflammatory when dissolved in water. Add two tablespoons of Epsom salt to your warm bath water and allow it to dissolve. Do it every day to get the best results.
Step 7. Massage
Rubbing the swollen body part will relieve swelling and improve blood flow. You can ask a professional masseuse or do it yourself at home. Use grape oil to help you. If you're massaging yourself, focus on massaging the swollen body part upwards, not downwards.
Part 3 of 3: Know When to Seek Medical Help
Step 1. See a doctor if you have chronic swelling
If by using the methods above, your swelling does not subside within a few days, visit a doctor to find out the real cause of the swelling you are experiencing.
- Severe swelling during pregnancy can be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a serious condition that causes increased blood pressure and swelling.
- Some medications can cause swelling. Antidepressants, hormone therapy, and blood pressure medications can cause swelling.
- Heart failure, kidney failure and liver failure can cause fluid buildup which causes swelling.
Step 2. Call your doctor right away if you experience any other serious symptoms
Swelling along with other symptoms could mean that you have a heart, kidney or liver problem, so you need to get medical attention right away. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Chest pain.
- Hard to breathe.
- You are pregnant and have sudden swelling.
- Fever
- You have been diagnosed with a heart or liver problem and your body parts are swollen.
- The swollen body part feels warm.
Tips
- Try several methods of reducing swelling at once. By combining several methods together, the results obtained will be better.
- Being overweight can cause swelling. If you are overweight and have poor blood circulation, and swelling as a result, look for ways to lose a little weight and live a healthier life.
Warning
- Swelling that occurs suddenly and you do not know the cause needs to be checked by a doctor.
- If any part of your face is swollen (mouth, eyes, etc.), seek medical attention immediately.
- If your swelling is very severe or you suspect that you have broken a bone, see a doctor as soon as possible.
