Swollen Feet

Puffy feet are another common problem. This condition is also known as edema. Puffy feet may appear normal early in the morning but they slowly swell over the day, making it difficult to wear shoes which earlier fitted. The puffiness may be accompanied by pain, fatigue and exhaustion.

Edema can be due to several medical conditions which are often heralded by very subtle symptoms like tired and aching feet. The swelling may be minimal in the initial stages of a serious condition. Therefore, even if the puffiness is slight at first, it is advisable not to ignore it. You may first notice the edema because of easily overlooked symptoms like the tightness of an old and previously comfortable pair of shoes, or indentation marks around the ankle which last a long time, due to socks cutting into the swollen skin. These may be warning signals for you to take action immediately.

Anyone can have edema. In many cases it is due to over-vigorous foot activity or too much stress on your feet. In other cases, an exhausting journey, insomnia or a high-salt diet can result in edema. If you notice puffiness around the ankles, you may find it advisable to lower your sodium or salt intake since a high salt content in the blood tends to increase the edema. However, in itself, edema is not a very serious problem and can easily be treated naturally at home.

Use Comfortable Foot Wear - If you have puffy feet, wear loose and comfortable footwear. You should carefully avoid wearing anything that puts strain on your feet, like ill-fitting shoes, raised heels and platforms. Flat heels or even level foot wear is the best option for anyone who has edema as they don't cause any strain on the ankles, unlike high heels. Ankle strain can increase the tension in the structure of the foot, leading to swelling and pain around the ankles. Be kind to your feet and choose to wear footwear which gives your swollen feet relief and comfort.

Alternate Foot Bath - Alternating hot and cold foot baths are another very effective method to alleviate swelling and improve blood circulation to your feet. This completely natural method also is also one of the most effectual treatments for swollen foots.

How do you do it? Have two tumblers ready, one filled with hot water and the other with cold. Take two footbaths or basins and pour the water into them. Add water to adjust the temperatures of the hot and cold water to your comfort level so that the footbath does not damage your skin. Now seat yourself comfortably and immerse your feet for fifteen minutes at a time alternately in the hot and cold water. In between you may put your feet on a towel placed on top of a footstool for a few minutes. Continue this till you feel substantial relief. Then, last of all soak your feet in the hot water. Blot them dry with the towel. This treatment has been found to markedly reduce the swelling in your feet as well as improve the circulation, providing immense comfort to puffy feet.

Watch Your Diet - Avoid very salty foods and limit your salt intake in general as it may lead to water retention in the body. High sodium intake not only increases blood pressure in the body but also causes your feet to swell up and become bloated. Also keep away from processed foods like frozen and packed meals, canned soups, etc. that are high in sodium content. In addition to these, it is also important to drink plenty of water and keep your body hydrated. Adequate hydration leads to less water retention in the body overall and in your feet in particular.

Massage - Massage is another natural treatment for reducing edema in the feet. Of course, you could always massage your own feet but it's much better if you get it done by someone else. The massage encourages the pooled fluid outside the blood vessels to re-enter the circulation, so that it can be flushed out via the kidneys into the urine, and thus leave the body permanently.

Herbal Cure - A variety of herbal treatments are available for puffy feet. Some of these, which are extremely effective in reducing foot swelling and getting your feet young again are listed below.

1. Blend lemon juice, water, milk, cinnamon and olive oil in a bowl. Apply the mixture over your swollen feet and let it soak in for about 20 minutes. Rinse off and pat your feet dry. 2. Mix some baking soda powder and rice water in a tumbler. Submerge your feet in the solution. Baking powder is an extremely good absorbent which soaks out excessive water from your feet, through the skin pores, so that the swelling is significantly reduced. 3. Another natural method of reducing the swelling of your feet is the popular 'RICE' treatment. 'RICE' stands for: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Rest your foot by not putting weight on it for a while. Apply ice packs on the affected area. Continue this at intervals till the swelling subsides. Then wrap the foot using a compression bandage to a comfortable tightness. This should be kept on all the time, even when you walk. Keep your foot elevated whenever you sit down. 4. Ginger is a well-known anti-inflammatory herbal ingredient which can reduce painful swelling in the foot. Boil a generous amount of grated ginger in a pan with water. Pour the concoction into a tub and soak your feet in it. The relief you feel will be instant. There are other herbs like Turmeric and Boswella which have similar properties and can be used in the same way. You can also infuse these herbs in your food and drink to obtain even greater benefit internally. Eat potassium-rich foods: Foods which are rich in potassium include soya flour, bananas, apricots, tomatoes and tomato products, sultanas, raisins, potatoes, figs, currants, avocados, beets, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupes, dried dates, kiwi fruit, lima beans, melons, nectarines pears, oranges, unsalted peanuts, prunes, spinach and winter squash.