Health concerns globally have significantly risen ever since the pandemic hit. From an increase in regular fevers to cold, every health concern is a trigger point for something new. Amid this, a unusual bodily change is truly changing the way the world experiences global concerns, Cankles is one such. In this article, we will be helping you decode everything about cankles’ meaning and help you understand what causes it. So, keep reading the article till the end to decode.
What are Cankles?
Before we give you a brief overview of what causes cankles, let me give you a quick understanding of this condition. Well, Cankles is basically a combination that is used to describe the combination of the calf and the ankle. In this case, we are talking about the lower part of the leg, which appears to become thicker and also lacks a defined shape. This occurs when the calf seems to merge with the ankle, creating a uniform appearance instead of the usual distinction between the two areas. While it’s not a medical term, many people use the expression to describe this particular physical feature. Sometimes, cankles can also be a health concern, indicating potential underlying health issues.
Well, the Cankles condition is essentially seen to occur when there are various factors that include edema, obesity, and pregnancy. In some of the cases, the cankles might become a result of genetics and the natural aging process.
Additionally, edema occurs when you have excess fluid retention in your body, and this can cause significant swelling. Not only that, but it can also lead to a less defined appearance between the calf and the ankle. However, obesity, on the other hand, will be another common cause of cankle as there will be an accumulation of fat in the region, and this can significantly blur the distinction between ankle and calf.
This is exactly where having a healthy diet can help you sustain, and also physically staying active can help you to keep obesity at bay.
Factors that Cause Cankles
Here are some of the factors that you need to keep in mind, if you are looking to understand how the cankles are caused:
Aging
One of the important factors that causes Cankles is aging. Aging can significantly affect the way your physical body keeps up with the original body structure, and this thus becomes one of the reasons for cankles.
Lack of Physical Activity
This is another one of the key symptoms that becomes a trigger for Cankles. When you are devoid of physical activity, your bodily structure can become a bit deformed and can also cause cankles to occur.
Standing for Longer Periods
This is another one of the top factors that causes Cankles. When you are standing for too long, your calves and ankles can experience swelling once you put them to rest, which can make it quite difficult to understand the difference between cankles vs ankles.
While these are some of the top factors that are the causes of Cankles, there are certain medical risks and conditions that play a major role in forming of cankles as well.
Medical Conditions and Risks Associated with Cankles
It is important to note that the Cankles is not a medical condition. However, here are some of the conditions and the risks which can be associated with Cankles:
Lipedema or Lymphedema
This is one of the medical conditions that can be associated with cankles. This essentially occurs when your lymphatic system is damaged or blocked. This also results in the buildup of lymphatic fluid along with the swelling in the legs.
Venous Inefficiency
This is another one of the medical conditions that can be associated with Cankles. This occurs when the veins essentially struggle to return the blood from your lower extremities and back to your heart. This condition essentially occurs due to abnormal swelling in the calves and the ankles.
Kidney or Liver Disease
This is another condition that one needs to be vigilant about when it comes to health conditions associated with kidney or liver disease. These are the diseases that essentially cause fluid retention in the body, and thus, it leads to swelling in the lower extremities.
In order to manage kidney diseases, one can adopt a kidney-friendly diet that will help them to understand their dietary needs better and stay healthy. However, it is important to understand that the diet needs to be recommended by the doctor, and also make sure to take the doctor-recommended medications.
Heart Failure
This is another one of the conditions that can be associated with the cankles condition. This condition can cause the heart to lose its pumping efficiency, resulting in fluid buildup in the extremities.
Varicose Veins
One of the most important conditions that can be triggered with Cankles is the Varicose veins. Damaged vein walls or valves can lead to the development of varicose veins, which may cause swelling in the lower extremities. Treatments include conservative methods, surgical removal, and minimally invasive sealing.
Top Considerations to Keep in Mind to Prevent Cankles
While the health conditions that can be associated with cankles are quite high, here are some of the top considerations that one needs to keep in mind to prevent cankles:
Lifestyle and Diet
One of the key conditions to keep in mind to prevent Cankles is lifestyle and diet. In order to minimize the risk and also reduce the ankle swelling, you can try incorporating some of the healthier dietary choices, which can include fruits, vegetables, and alsoa few of the whole grains.
With fruits and vegetables, you can essentially include a variety of flesh that will help in fighting the inflammation and thus maintain a proper blood flow.
You can additionally include a few of the lean proteins, such as Fish, chicken, turkey, and plant-based proteins like beans, which can promote muscle strength and reduce fat accumulation around your ankles. Make sure to not to forget to include the whole grains in your diet to complete your dietary needs.
Physical Activity Impact
This is another one of the top considerations that one needs to consider while looking to prevent Cankles. Exercise is extremely important for a healthy lifestyle and also promotes good blood circulation through the blood vessels. Both of these can be helpful in preventing the Cankle formation. It is also important to choose the right exercises and also engage in them regularly.
Some of the effective exercises that you can include to prevent Cankles include cardiovascular exercises such as walking, jogging, cycling, and also swimming that will help burn calories and promote weight loss.
Another key exercise that you can include is resistance training, and with that, you can make sure to include calf raises, leg presses, and also box jumps that will help you to target the calf and the ankle muscles.
There are also some of the additional flexibility exercises that you can include, which essentially encompass stretching and yoga that will help you to improve your overall flexibility and also reduce the tightness in your calves and ankles.
Role of Medication and Treatment
One of the most underrated yet important aspects to treat Calves is understanding the role of medication and adequate and timely treatment. It’s important to understand that there are some medications, such as blood pressure medications, steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), that can cause fluid retention and exacerbate swelling in the lower limbs.
In addition to this, another thing that you can make sure to keep in mind is to adjust your dosage and also recommend the alternative treatments that have fewer side effects. Additionally, staying informed about your treatment and the potential side effects can help you make better decisions about managing your health and addressing any concerns related to cankle formation.
How to get Rid of Cankles?
If you are looking to get rid of Cankles, here are some of the exercises that you can actually incorporate into your regular lifestyle that will help you to do the same:
Calf Raises
One of the key exercises that you can include to get rid of cankles is calf raises. Make sure to stand on your feet, shoulder width apart, and also slowly raise your body on your toes. Also, make sure to hold on to this position for a few seconds, then lower your heels back down to the ground. Repeat for 10-15 reps.
Ankle Circles
This is another one of the exercises that you can include to get rid of cankles. You can try this by sitting in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Raise one foot off the ground and rotate your ankle clockwise and counterclockwise for 30 seconds each. Switch feet and repeat.
Conclusion
The above calf exercises will significantly help you to get rid of cankles and improve your health. Additionally, the exercises and the factors to consider for effective cankles management are quite easy to follow. So, if you are actively looking to prevent the cankles condition and improve your bodily functions, then Cankles exercises are definitely the ones that you need to try. That’s all, folks. I hope the article will help you to get all the information you need.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can Cankles be Reversed?
Yes, Cankles can be reversed.
Are Cankles Associated with Physical Activity?
Yes, cankles can be associated with the impact of physical activity.
Can I Incorporate Exercises to Reverse Cankles?
Yes, simple and easy exercises can be incorporated to reverse cankles.
Is Cankles a Serious Health Condition?
No, Cankles is not a serious health condition.
