What Causes Swollen Ankles
Swollen ankles can be caused due to many reasons. Some of them are: your diet could be high in salt and/or carbohydrates, you may be taking an excessive amount of laxatives or diuretics, or you could be retaining sodium. These are just a few of the possibilities. Swollen ankles can be very painful. There are a few things that you can do to help alleviate the symptoms.
These are:
- Drink lots of water. Water will help flush toxins from your body (including excess salt).
- Increase your muscle activity by walking.
- Take two teaspoons of dried parsley per cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes. Strain and drink. Use up to three times a day.
- Drink three cups of herbal tea a day. There are many herbal teas that are diuretics. You can pick and choose for variety.
- Lie down with your feet up.
- Recline with your feet up.
- Eat a well balanced diet. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Especially dark green leafy vegetables.
- Wash and peel a couple of potatoes. Simmer the peelings in two cups of water for fifteen minutes. Strain the water. Mix two tablespoons of this solution in a glass of water. Drink this four times a day for two weeks.
- Wear compression socks.
- Apply a cold water compress.
- Apply ice or soak feet in an ice water bath.
- Apply peppermint to your ankles.
- Apply lavender oil to your ankles.
- If you are overweight, then you need to lose some weight. This will relieve some of the pressure off of your ankles.
- Mix garlic powder in 15 ml of castor oil. Drink this concoction. This Solution can be used for up to forty days.
- Castor leaves can be heated and applied to the swollen area.
- You can mix mustard oil with onion juice and apply it to the affected area.
- There are a few things that you need to avoid:
- Try not to stand in one place for prolonged periods of time. Try to move around and stretch.
- Avoid excessive salt intake. Limit to no more than 2400 milligrams.
- Do not overuse diuretics.
- Do not overuse laxatives.
- Try to avoid refined or processed foods. They are rich in sugars and salt.
Swollen ankles could be a symptom of an underlying problem. If the swelling continues, you may need to see a doctor. Diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease all can cause your ankles to swell.
