What are Cankles?
If you are not sure why your calves and ankles are swollen, you may be wondering what are cankles? Despite their medically unsound name, they are a common affliction caused by fluid retention.
The good news is that they aren’t serious and can be easily removed by eating well and exercising regularly. Read on to learn more. This article will help you learn more about what are cankles and how to get rid of them.
Cankles are a non-medical term
Cankles are a common slang term for the lower leg where the ankle meets the calf. Many people have trouble identifying the difference between calf and ankle, and may describe theirs as “fat ankles” or “sausage legs.”
A cankle is the same size as the calf or thigh and is covered with fat, making it difficult to discern between the two.
They are not a sign of serious disease
If your cankles swell excessively, you may have a condition called pitting edema. When you press a finger on the affected area, you will see a dent in the skin.
This condition is a sign of kidney and carcinoid heart disease. If you have pitting edema, your doctor may recommend a vein specialist visit. These specialists will rule out any underlying condition such as hidden varicose veins or blood clots.
What Causes Cankles?
Cankles are caused by fluid retention and excess weight in the ankles. Women who suffer from cankles typically have ankles that are slimmer than their calves, and the ankle area is about the same size as the calf.
Weight gain during pregnancy and hormone fluctuations can cause cankles as the added body fat puts more pressure on the feet. Excess fluid in the body, as well as pressure from the growing uterus, can also cause swelling in the ankles.
Lymphedema
The first time you notice swollen ankles, you should consult your doctor. You may have a more serious underlying vein condition. If you have varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis, your swelling could be an indication of these conditions.
Fortunately, it is possible to reverse secondary lymphedema and your condition can return to normal. Until then, the best way to treat your swelling is to rest and take a bath.
Fluid retention
Although you might not be familiar with the specific cause of fluid retention in the ankles and calves, several contributing factors may lead to enlarged ankles.
Changes in medication or weight gain can affect body fluid retention. If you have fluid retention in the ankles and calves, it can be aggravated by medications or weight gain.
To reduce the likelihood of developing cankles, you can change your diet and lifestyle. Include green leafy vegetables, lean proteins, and high-fiber foods in your diet. Additionally, get plenty of exercises, as this will help reduce swelling.
Pregnancy
Most women experience cankles at some point during their pregnancy. While the term itself is not medical, it is a slang term for the ankle area. If the calf does not taper down to the ankle, the condition is considered to be a cankle. These bumps can develop on either side of the ankle.
Diet
Although poor dieting habits are one of the main causes of water retention, pregnancy is also a contributing factor. Pregnancy can lead to engorging of the ankles as fluids are not normally removed during menstruation.
These fluids are then stored in tissue. Pregnant women also experience poor circulation and should limit their intake of processed and high-sodium foods. To prevent cankles, it is best to get some exercise to tone muscles and avoid excessive sodium consumption.
Exercise
Cankles are the result of subcutaneous fat that is deposited in the lower calf. The condition is often caused by other factors, including genetics, pregnancy, and poor circulation in the lower legs.
A sedentary lifestyle and accumulated fat in the lower leg can also contribute to the appearance of cankles. However, exercising regularly can help to reduce the appearance of these unsightly blemishes.
How to Treat Cankles-Cure Your Cankle Forever!
Cankles are an uncomfortable, unsightly condition that affects women of all ages, but the problem is not limited to men.
Jason Alexander, who played the role of a cankle in the popular movie Shallow Hal, also called his overweight character “the cankle.” Often, thick ankles are the result of an underlying health issue, which isn’t necessarily related to diet or exercise.
Exercises to reduce cankles
Whether you want to reduce cankles permanently or just hide them, exercise is an important part of your lifestyle. If you’re worried about how your cankles will look, try one of the simple exercises below.
Walking is a good ankle exercise. It increases blood circulation and strengthens the calf muscles. If you don’t enjoy walking, you can purchase a fitness tracker or pedometer to help motivate yourself.
Calf raises: Known as the most effective exercise for reducing fat in your lower leg, calf raises can improve your posture and strength. Several variations of this exercise are available, and the benefits are a robust calf muscle and toned legs.
The muscles in this region are essential to supporting the weight of your body. By strengthening these muscles, you will be able to carry heavy objects, increase your speed, and even lengthen your steps.
Reducing sodium intake
Reducing sodium intake to cure cankle problems is a proven way to eliminate swelling in the ankles and legs. Sodium is a key ingredient in many processed foods, and a high intake of this nutrient can increase the chances of ankle swelling.
However, it is essential to remember that a high sodium intake is also a risk factor for cancer, so reducing your sodium intake to cure cankles is an important precaution during pregnancy.
Fluid retention in the legs and ankles is common in pregnant women and those with certain heart conditions. Insufficient circulation in the legs causes the blood to retain water in the cells.
Additionally, individuals with weak calf muscles or big ankle joints tend to have thick ankles. Regardless of the cause, reducing sodium intake can help you eliminate cankles and other symptoms.
Liposuction
If you have fat pockets on your cankles, you may benefit from a liposuction procedure. This procedure can reshape the area where the calf meets the ankle, increasing the area’s definition and contours.
The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, so you can return home right afterward. Several days after the procedure, you can resume most normal activities, though you must refrain from intense exercises for at least two weeks before resuming vigorous exercise.
People who suffer from cankles often find that diet changes and a lack of exercise are not enough to reduce the size. In some cases, the problem is a result of poor circulation, such as when a person sits for long periods.
Sometimes, excessive sodium intake is a cause of the swollen ankle. Other causes of water retention include heart failure, kidney disease, and circulation-related problems.
Regardless of the cause, you should consult with your plastic surgeon or primary care physician for a consultation. If you do not have an underlying medical condition, this swelling can be indicative of a more serious problem.
Coriander seeds
Using coriander seeds as a natural remedy to cure cankles can have many benefits. The seeds have high levels of dietary fiber and moderate vitamin and mineral content. They can also increase metabolism.
They also contain significant amounts of calcium, selenium, and dietary fiber. Despite its high levels of antioxidants, coriander has some disadvantages. The following are some of them.
Coriander seeds are an Ayurvedic remedy for swollen ankles. These seeds improve circulation and reduce swelling. To get a beneficial result, you need to boil 2 teaspoons of coriander seeds in a cup of water until the water reduces to half.
Drink this mixture two or three times daily. If you are experiencing severe swelling, you may also want to add lecithin seeds to your diet. These seeds are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds.
How to Get Rid of Cankles?
If you’ve been looking for a way to get rid of cankles, you’ve come to the right place. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help reduce the appearance of cankles. But before we get into the treatments, let’s discuss what causes cankles in the first place.
Exercises to get rid of cankles
There are several ways to improve circulation in the legs and tone the muscles in the calf area. However, if you want to get rid of cankles fast, you should try simple exercises that don’t involve the gym or sweating.
By performing these exercises during your spare time, you can still accomplish your goals while getting rid of your cankles. This article will highlight the best exercises for the legs.
You can also try to reduce the size of your ankles by exercising and eating healthy. During pregnancy, you should hydrate well. Water is essential for skin health and can help prevent swelling. You can also apply grapefruit oil to the affected area before and after bathing.
For exercise, you can also try jumping rope. This workout can be done as a form of cardio and is equivalent to about fifteen minutes of jumping rope.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a few easy ways to get rid of cankles. One is to drink plenty of water, which will help flush out the toxins. Another option is to eat fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation. You can also try using a topical cream or ointment to reduce the swelling. If these methods don’t work, you may need to see a doctor.
