Swelling, also known as edema, occurs when excess fluid becomes trapped in your muscle tissue. Swelling can affect any part of the body and is most common in the hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs, given a moderate level of daily activity. Swelling, particularly swelling of the feet, is a common symptom of other conditions or pregnancy, states the Mayo Clinic. Feet swelling is no cause for alarm; you can treat it with home remedies.
Increase Your Activity Level
Although your feet may be tired, exercising can help to reduce swelling. Exercising increases your body temperature and, generally, causes you to sweat. Sweat is a direct way to eliminate excess fluid from the body. Be sure to wear footwear that adequately supports the arches of your feet and your ankles.
Rest Your Feet
You use your feet everyday to get you where you need to go, and you may not rest them until you go to bed at night. Like other muscles in the body, you need to rest them after engaging them in physical activity. Elevating your feet for 30 minutes per day, three to four times a day, allows you to rest them and allows the muscle tissue to relax, preventing inflammation. Massaging your feet can also help to prevent swelling. Use moderate pressure to massage the muscle tissue in your feet toward your heart. This helps to increase circulation and reduce pressure.
Monitor Your Diet
It is important for you to monitor your diet, and avoid foods that can cause your feet to swell. For instance, the University of Maryland recommends reducing your salt intake to prevent swelling, because salt attracts fluid. If you suffer from gout, eating red meat can cause your feet to swell. Drink plenty of water to help your system flush out any toxins that may be causing edema.
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