| Sometimes, it's easy to tell what's causing | | | | fracture, so x-rays may be required. Once this is |
| inflammation. Insect bites, sprains and other | | | | done, a treatment plan will be devised. |
| injuries are usually noticeable when they occur, | | | | If you wish to use home remedies, here are a |
| and treatment is usually pretty obvious. Other | | | | few. Some may be recommended by your |
| causes can be more troubling. Heart disease may | | | | doctor. If not, be sure to ask whether or not that |
| cause swelling in the ankles and lower legs. Kidney | | | | are appropriate for you. |
| disease can cause it everywhere. Knowing what | | | | RICE will be recommended. That stands for rest, |
| to do may help you with more important things | | | | ice, compression and elevation. Don't use the joint, |
| than comfort...it could save your life. | | | | keep it propped up, ice it and wear the |
| Minor Causes | | | | compression device your doctor will give you. |
| For most of us, these events are inconvenient | | | | Using the joint too soon will prevent it from |
| and somewhat painful. Under the right | | | | healing and could make the situation worse. |
| circumstances, they can be worse, which will be | | | | If you are over eighteen and not allergic to aspirin, |
| pointed out. | | | | willow bark and gotu kola may be helpful. You can |
| Bites: Insect bites can cause inflammation and | | | | make it as a tea to soak the area, or make an |
| severe itching. Several home remedies may be | | | | olive oil or alcohol extraction. The latter two can |
| helpful in reducing the itch factor as well as the | | | | be applied with a cotton ball a few times a day. |
| swelling. Rubbing alcohol, meat tenderizer, distilled | | | | Major Causes |
| witch hazel and lime juice are a few examples. If | | | | These three causes could change your life...or end |
| it is a chigger bite, applying nail polish is also | | | | it if they are ignored. The symptoms are |
| beneficial. | | | | distinctive if you know what you're looking for, |
| Stings: These can be worse than a bug bite, | | | | though it is possible to have the symptoms |
| especially if an allergy is present. Immediately | | | | without the diseases attached. None of these |
| after the sting, apply a paste of baking soda and | | | | diseases should be treated solely by home |
| water to the area. This can help draw out the | | | | remedies. |
| stinger and some of the venom. After this is | | | | Heart Disease: If you have swelling in both feet |
| done, apply ice for the first twenty-four hours. | | | | and ankles that cannot be explained by other |
| Hot epsom's salt water may be used after that | | | | conditions, it could be a symptom of heart |
| period of time. | | | | problems. Other symptoms may also be present, |
| With both of these problems, look for signs of | | | | including chest pain and shortness of breath. |
| anaphylactic shock, including swelling in the mouth | | | | Kidney Disease: This can create inflammation all |
| and throat, difficulty breathing and loss of | | | | over your body, particularly in your face and |
| consciousness. This requires immediate medical aid. | | | | hands. You may not have many other symptoms |
| Call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions | | | | until the disease has become very serious. |
| while you await the paramedics. | | | | PAD: Peripheral artery disease may cause |
| Bruises: Both the broken blood vessel and other | | | | inflammation in a leg or arm, usually deep inside |
| factors create swelling around a bruise. This also | | | | the limb. It can be difficult to diagnose, but |
| makes it tender to the touch. Ice is helpful in | | | | important to catch. Clots could form, which could |
| reducing the amount of bruising and keep it down. | | | | cost you the limb or your life if it gets loose in |
| There are a couple of other home remedies that | | | | the blood stream. |
| may be useful. A cool compress of distilled witch | | | | If you have inflammation from an unknown |
| hazel can be soothing. If you know how to do it, | | | | source, it is a good idea to see your doctor...the |
| arnica may also be beneficial, but it does require | | | | sooner the better. It may be nothing, but if it is |
| some care. | | | | one of these problems, your life is at stake. Make |
| Sprains: If you've ever had a severe sprain, you | | | | sure you tell your doctor of other symptoms that |
| may argue that this isn't a minor cause. They can | | | | may have occurred, any medical conditions you |
| be very painful and take a long time to heal. | | | | already have and anything you are taking, |
| However, compared with those that can kill you, | | | | whether it's prescription, herbal or over the |
| a sprain fits the heading. | | | | counter. This will help the doctor make the |
| Sprains should be seen by a doctor to determine | | | | correct diagnosis and help ensure you quality of |
| the severity and the appropriate treatment | | | | life. |
| needed. It may also be necessary to rule out a | | | | |