Nothing is worse than retaining fluid in your legs, feet and ankles. Pregnancy and hormone changes can cause this problem as well as poor circulation and diabetes. Whatever the root cause, figuring out how to reduce the swelling can mean normal-looking legs for you.
Just because you have other health issues that can lend themselves to swelling in the legs doesn't mean you have to just resign yourself to the discomfort that goes with water retention. You can help your body reduce the swelling by practicing a few simple things at home. Check out the 6 ways you can help your body fight water retention in the legs.
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1. Low salt. One cause of the swelling in legs and feet could be the amount of salt in your diet, says WebMD. To help reduce the water retention and swelling, reduce your salt intake, cut back on salty foods and reduce the amount of prepared foods which often contain higher amounts of sodium.
2. Water. The Cleveland Health Clinic shares that drinking more water actually helps your body flush out the water and keep it from retaining extra fluid. If your body doesn't feel like it's being shorted fluid, it won't need to save up water. You may find that the fluid in your legs will dissipate simply by drinking more. The Clinic recommends 10 glasses a day.
3. Magnesium. Another recommendation by the Cleveland Health Clinic is to take magnesium supplements. The thought is that the extra magnesium may keep your body from retaining water. Speak with your doctor before trying this and find out what amount you should try.
4. Exercise. Bel Marra Health points out that for some people, the solution is to simply get up and move. If your job has you sitting all day long, the blood won't flow as well as it should from your extremities. This can cause water retention in the legs. By making a point to get up and walk frequently, even every hour, you can get the blood flowing and the retention to go down.
5. Leg elevation. According to Healthline, elevating your legs so that they are slightly above your heart can help reduce the swelling. The elevation helps move the fluid away from your legs.
6. Compression stockings. Another recommendation by Bel Marra Health is to wear compression stockings or a compression wrap. These simply keep the fluid from being able to settle in your legs, feet and ankles.
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Normal legs, here you come! With a little bit of self-discipline and common sense, say goodbye to swollen legs and hello to normal once again.