{"id":60855,"date":"2023-10-16T10:00:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-16T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60855"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:29:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:29:00","slug":"how-to-reduce-swelling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-reduce-swelling\/","title":{"rendered":"12 ways to reduce swelling"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever had an accident where you hit your ankle on a sharp corner and it starts to swell? Or maybe you’re looking at your phone while lying down, and you drop it smack onto your forehead? Swelling, also known as edema, is your body’s response to injury, illness, or some other outside stimuli. Depending on its severity, it can last days to weeks and can cause pain and discomfort. Luckily, you can decrease swelling at home through proper hydration, rest, and nutrition.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes swelling?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Swelling is the enlargement of a body part following an injury or reaction to outside stimuli, such as an infection. There are many types of swelling, and it can occur anywhere in or on the body, says <\/span>Leah Alexander, MD<\/span><\/a>, consultant for Mom Loves Best. For example, swelling “affects joints [with overuse or inflammation], brain tissue after a traumatic injury, and skin after an insect bite, burn, or allergic reaction.” Different causes of swelling include:<\/span><\/p>\n