Swelling in any part of the body is never a pleasant experience. Swelling is caused mainly by a collection of body fluids, tissue growth or an unusual changing or positioning of the tissue. It’s a common problem amongst all group ages and can be caused by different sets of problems.
If you’ve ever been on a long haul flight you might have noticed the swelling of your feet and ankles. Or when you sit for too long in one position. Staying in one position for a long amount of time can increase the chances of swollen legs, feet, hands, etc.
Of course, these are not the only parts that can be swollen and we are going to give you a basic overview of what you can do for some of these common problems.
Swollen Knee
Swollen knees can occur for many different reasons and they are caused by excess fluid that accumulates in or around your knee joint. People usually refer to this condition as water on the knee. It can be a result of different types of trauma, injuries caused by overuse and even an underlying disease.
How to reduce swelling of the knees?
Some of the most common tips when it comes to reducing swelling of the knees include:
- Icing — Find the best ice packs and ice your knee for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours or so.
- Rest — It’s important to rest as much as you can in order to prevent further complications.
- Compress — You can wrap an elastic bandage around your knee, but make sure it’s not too tight otherwise your lower part of the leg might start swelling as well.
- Anti-inflammatory medication — Medication like ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin are a great first aid.
How to prevent swelling in the future?
You can prevent this from happening again (or for the first time) by doing these simple things:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Strengthen the muscles around your knees.
- Take part in low-impact exercises.
Swollen Gums![]()
Healthy gums are one of the most important aspects of oral health. They are made from pink tissue that covers the jawbone and it is thick and full of blood vessels. People of all group ages face oral problems of all kinds every day. If you are worried that the swelling of your gums is becoming very serious you might want to think about visiting a dental practice. Swelling in your gums usually begins where the gums meet the teeth.
How to reduce swelling gums?
There is a number of things you can do at home to reduce the swelling:
- Rinse your mouth with saltwater. This will help cleanse your mouth of bacteria.
- Buy a soft brush and floss very gently.
- Avoid coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes as they act as irritants.
- Icing can help reduce swelling.
How to prevent swelling of the gums?
It’s no secret that the secret to oral health is maintaining your hygiene but there are also other things you can do, and those include:
- Regular brushing & flossing
- Invest in good mouthwash and toothpaste.
- Try to eat healthy food.
- Hydrate often.
Swollen Feet & Ankles
Swollen feet & ankles are a common problem that can be caused by a number of things. The swelling occurs when fluids accumulate in these parts of the body. They are very common in these areas simply because of the law of gravity. That’s why many people experience these symptoms during long haul flights. They are more common in older adults but there are always exceptions to the rule.
How to reduce swelling of feet and ankles?
These are some of the most common ways you can treat swelling feet and ankles at home:
- Try elevating your legs when you’re lying down.
- Try to stretch as much as possible and often.
- Reduce salt intake.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Try to walk often, especially if you sit for long hours.
- When in for a long haul flight wear compression socks.
How to prevent the swelling?
You can try incorporating some of these things into your lifestyle if you want to prevent this from happening (again):
- Try low impact exercises for good circulation.
- Avoid sitting for a long period.
- Avoid standing for a long period.
- Avoid salty foods (regulate salt intake).
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you an insight into how and why some of the body parts are more prone to swelling than others and how you can reduce it. If you are lucky enough that you never had to experience this type of unpleasant occurrences and are just looking to find out what you can do to prevent it from happening we also provided information about prevention. If you are afraid that the swelling in any part of your body is not going to decrease any time soon please contact your local doctor.
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