Swollen Hands And Feet
How to Treat Swollen Hands and Feet
There are many different causes for swollen hands and feet. In most cases it is nothing serious, and the problem can be treated without the need for medical attention. It is very common for pregnant women to suffer from swollen hands and feet, due to excess fluid building up in their bodies during pregnancy. Temporary swelling can also be quite a regular occurrence during or after exercise, as well as when it is extremely hot outside. Other frequently found causes of swollen hands and feet include allergies, dehydration, reactions to certain medicines, being overweight and retaining water.
As you see, swelling of the hands and feet is rarely anything serious. It comes about for any number of reasons and can usually be treated in the home and without any medical attention. If problems with swollen hands and feet persist for any length of time and do not go away with home treatment or on their own, it is probably a good idea to see the doctor. There is always the chance that chronic swelling is a symptom of a more serious problem, so it is wise to see a doctor if the problem seems to be worsening or does not go away in a reasonable amount of time.
Since the problem with swelling can be caused by a number of different things, it is a good idea to find out the cause before attempting certain types of treatment. Besides the common causes listed above like obesity, allergies and dehydration to name a few, other problems like poor nutrition, hormone therapy and other medical treatments can lead to swelling in the hands and feet. For all of these reasons, there are a few simple treatment steps that can alleviate the problem relatively quickly and without any side effects.
Water Helps Relieve Swelling
The easiest and most practical way to relieve swelling in the hands and feet is with water. One of the most common reasons for swollen fingers, hands or feet is water retention, and that means inadequate water consumption. The human body needs water to maintain health, and when our bodies sense that there is a shortage of water, they will go into preservation mode. In other words, when we are not drinking enough water, our bodies do everything they can to hang on to water in the body. That leads to water retention and swelling.
It is recommended that everyone drinks at least 64 ounces of water every day for optimum health benefits. Not only will drinking plenty of water help reduce and conquer swelling, it will cleanse the body of toxins that can cause chronic swelling and illness.
Put Your Feet Up and Rest Awhile
When feet and ankles become swollen, the condition will not improve until you sit down. Swelling in and around the ankles will actually become worse the more time you remain standing. So to reduce swelling in the lower extremities, take a load off and give your feet and ankles a break. Once you sit down, go one step further and put your feet up. Keeping your feet higher up than your heart will reduce the swelling, so relax back and prop up your legs with a couple of pillows. This is a great treatment that works wonders for pregnant women that are having problems with swelling.
Diet Makes a Difference
Whenever swelling is a problem, watch your diet and be sure to reduce or eliminate any excess salt intake. Too much sodium can easily lead to problems with swelling, so watch the salt and grab a glass of water instead.