Watch the video
- Watch the video on youtube
If the muscle masses slacken, the blood struggles to return to the heart, especially when gravity does not play in its favor (ie when one remains in an upright position for a long time). The resulting blood stasis increases venous pressure, which is at its highest at the level of the ankles, on which the entire blood column weighs. The increase in blood pressure favors the passage of plasma fluids from the blood to the interstitial tissues.
ShutterstockWhen these fluids are not properly drained from the lymphatic system, they accumulate in the tissues giving rise to edema (generalized swelling).
Even the summer heat contributes to exacerbate the problem, because it dilates the caliber of the vessels.
In women of childbearing age, ankle swelling is more frequent in the week preceding menstruation, since in this period the female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) reach particularly high levels, fully carrying out their vasodilatory properties (causing water retention). Also on the hormonal level, the causes of swollen feet in pregnancy must also be sought.
of the lower limbs it is in fact capable of stimulating circulation, generating a "pump effect" given by the alternation of contractions and relaxation.
Equally important would be to carve out a daily appointment with a brisk walk, or with a swim or a bike ride; half an hour a day for 4-5 days a week is sufficient to significantly improve peripheral circulation. Whatever the sporting activity undertaken, water sports are also particularly useful, it is important that it is carried out with suitable footwear; stiletto heels, on the other hand, should be used sparingly, so much so that it would be better to reserve them for truly special evenings.
Sport is also important for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, which has a positive effect on the general health of the legs and ankles. Also in the sports field, it is interesting to note how many cyclists, at the end of an intense effort, spend a few minutes lying with their legs raised on a rise. This strategy, which can also be implemented during the evening or night rest, favors the return of blood to the heart, removing swelling. The self-massage is also important, to be performed with rotational movements of the fingers that go from bottom to top; all the better if it is combined with specific gels or creams, which keep circulation alive, avoiding the stagnation of liquids.
Exercises for Light and Less Swollen Legs
Problems with playing the video? Reload the video from youtube.
- Go to the Video Page
- Watch the video on youtube
Natural remedies and phytotherapy
Of particular importance are some herbal drugs, useful in the treatment of swollen ankles because they have an antioxidant, constricting and anti-inflammatory action on blood vessels. Among these we remember the butcher's broom or butcher's broom, centella asiatica, horse chestnut, witch hazel, ginkgo biloba, bilberry, currant and red vine.
Many of these drugs, in addition to being active ingredients in cosmetic products dedicated to tired legs and swollen ankles, are also available as standardized extracts to be taken by mouth.
Plant-derived vasoprotectors can be included in the composition of supplements or drugs, where they are usually found in higher concentrations.
Often associated with each other, they contain active ingredients, such as flavonoids, also present in many commonly used foods. A cup of berries, a kiwi, a pink grapefruit or a citrus juice, is ideal for filling up with these substances. By toning the capillary walls and positively regulating their permeability, bioflavonoids stem the transudation of liquids. The result: less swollen and heavy ankles, even if a multiple approach is often required, consisting of diet, supplements or specific drugs, physical exercise and massage assisted by cosmetic and phytotherapeutic preparations.
PLEASE NOTE
Before resorting to the use of any natural or phytotherapeutic remedy for swollen ankles, it is advisable to consult your doctor in order to identify the possible presence of contraindications to the use of products of this type. In fact, "natural" is not synonymous it is "safe" and neither the presence of contraindications nor the onset of undesirable effects or interactions with pharmacological therapies in progress can be excluded.
Elastic stockings
The last, but no less effective remedy for ankle swelling is represented by graduated compression elastic stockings, which facilitate, with their decreasing pressure from the bottom towards the other, the venous return and the reabsorption of liquids. oozed.
Relaxsan Basic 950A (2 Pairs - Flesh, size 3) preventive knee-highs open toe graduated compression 280 Den from € 26.99 See the offerRelaxSan offers open-toe knee-highs with graduated compression, these are designed to prevent and possibly treat circulatory problems in the legs. The compression exerted is equal to 22-27 mmHg at the height of the ankle and decreases as the knee-high rises towards the knee. RelaxSan knee-highs are 100% Italian, made with quality materials and great attention to detail; Heel area has a reinforcement, so as to guarantee a long life to the compression sock. Before purchasing it is recommended to choose the size carefully.
Scholl Light Legs Women's 60 Den Graduated Compression Tights, M, Black, 1 Pair from € 9.32 € 15.99 -42 & percnt; See the offerThose who prefer tights can find an excellent compression model among the products offered by Scholl. The Scholl Light Legs are designed to promote better circulation in the legs and to give a feeling of general support. These graduated compression tights are made with Fiber Firm technology, capable of maintaining a medium level graduated compression even on low deniers, and with Ladder Lock technology which, on the other hand, makes the sock more resistant against possible stretch marks and therefore allows the tights to last a long time. The Scholl Light Legs prevent and act against the feeling of tiredness and heaviness in the legs, without sacrificing a pleasant aesthetic appearance.
Sponsored content: My-personaltrainer.it presents products and services that can be purchased online on Amazon and / or other e-commerce. Every time a purchase is made through one of the links on the page, My-personaltrainer.it could receive a commission from Amazon or from the other e-commerce mentioned. We inform you that the prices and availability of the products are not updated in real time and may change over time, so we invite you to check availability and price on Amazon and / or on other e-commerce mentioned.