Why you have thick ankles and 7 tips to try to fix them

Having thick ankles is quite common. In fact, it’s not just your ankles, but your lower calf as well. Many people think that the so-called cankles by the Americans (a mixture of calfleg, with ankle, ankle) are just a feature, but they can also be a symptom of serious illness.

O awesome.club gathered for you a series of tips on how to deal with thick ankles caused by different reasons. Remember that each case requires a specific approach. So, if you have any questions about your ankles, consult a doctor.

Cause: obesity

Your body can easily accumulate excess fat in this area, which is why if you have a few extra pounds, your thick ankles can be the result of an unhealthy diet as well as a sedentary lifestyle. But considering that swollen ankles can be caused by much more serious reasons, the loss of accumulated leg fat is the most positive scenario, with the result the easiest to achieve.

What to do: adopt a new exercise plan and try to make it a habit. While there is no exercise routine that will help you shed fat exactly in the ankle area, there are effective leg and calf exercises you can try for this area.

Cause: water retention

Although our bodies need sodium to help the brain function, as well as to maintain fluid balance and blood volume, we only need a certain amount of it. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2.3 grams a day and an ideal daily limit of no more than 1.5 grams for most adults. However, on average, we consume approximately 3.3 grams of sodium per day. As a result, our bodies retain water because there is too much sodium in our bodies.

What to do: Avoiding salt isn’t the only thing that can be done to maintain the recommended level of sodium in our bodies. As we eat a lot of processed foods such as chips, canned goods, sodas and others, it is best to try to reduce this type of food as a sodium reduction measure, which should be accompanied by a potassium enriched diet.

Cause: pregnancy

The reason behind swollen ankles during pregnancy is that your body retains more fluid to meet your and your baby’s needs. But of all the possible reasons for having thick or swollen ankles, this is the most pleasant, isn’t it? If pregnancy sometimes causes your legs to swell a lot, there is no need to worry because this condition is temporary like all other pregnancy related effects.

What to do: you can patiently wait for one of the happiest days of your life to arrive. In the meantime, it would be good to reduce the amount of salt, but not water. And you can also elevate your swollen feet 20 to just over 25 centimeters above your heart for 10 or 15 minutes several times a day.

Cause: vascular disease

People who suffer from vascular disease or chronic venous disorders often report that swelling is one of the most common symptoms.

What to do: To know if you really have a disease, the first thing to do is consult a doctor. And talk to him about wearing graduated compression stockings to help blood flow up toward the heart instead of down to the feet. Lifting your legs above your heart can also help.

Cause: fluid retention

As our body contains 70% water, it is very serious about maintaining the correct amount of fluids to ensure that all systems function well. But there are many causes that change this balance, causing it to try to store water from the waist down. Such causes include kidney and heart problems; pregnancy; lack of physical activity and medication side effects, among other factors.

What to do: If thick ankles are caused by fluid retention, see your doctor to find out the exact reason. Also, you can try these natural diuretic drinks to help your body eliminate excess fluids in your body: dandelion, green and parsley teas.

Cause: genetic disposition

Believe it or not, sometimes it all comes down to genes. If your grandmother and mother had the exact same trait, just don’t look at thick ankles as a problem.

What to do: Make sure your situation is not related to any of the above mentioned health conditions that can cause thick ankles. If this is a nuisance for you, you can try all the suggested tricks and find a way to deal with this type of ankle. An active lifestyle, a healthy diet plan and a positive mindset are your best friends when it comes to accepting your body’s true beauty. However, if you are seriously considering getting rid of this inherited trait, your doctor may suggest invasive methods.

Cause: diseases (kidney disease, heart failure, blood clot or blockage in the lymphatic system, among others).

By looking closely at your medications, you can find out if at least one of them has swelling as a side effect, especially pills for kidney and heart disease. If you notice that your calves have suddenly merged with your ankles, the culprit is most likely the effect of this medication.

What to do: if a prescription drug works for you, then it shouldn’t experience any negative effects. So, if your legs started to swell soon after you started taking such medications, see your doctor right away, because in many cases swelling can indicate some serious health conditions that you should not try to cure on your own.

If you don’t have any serious health issues and don’t need to change anything about your body except your ankle and calf area, we have some smart tips for that. The main point here is simply to distract your attention from your legs.

Accentuate your cleavage and face with tasteful makeup, jewelry and other accessories. When choosing dresses and skirts, opt for more flowing fabrics. Regarding shoes, remember that stiletto heels put a lot of contrast between your leg and the shoe. Also, avoid ankle straps and flat shoes. It is better to choose pointed shoes, as they visually lengthen the leg. Try some tricks with your clothes to draw attention to your best attributes.

Have you or your friends ever had problems with thick ankles? If you’ve been there, please share your experiences with us in the comments!