Cardiac edema does not occur in a healthy person. They are part of a complex of signs of chronic heart failure and indicate the onset of stagnation and decompensation. Heart failure is a rapidly progressive disease with a poor prognosis.
Therefore, cardiologists around the world attach great importance to the prevention of heart failure and timely treatment of its manifestations, including edema of cardiac origin.
Several interrelated factors are involved in the mechanism of edema formation in heart disease, while each individually does not play a decisive role.
Acute heart failure is usually not accompanied by edema. Apparently, the entire mechanism does not have time to become involved in the pathological process. But in patients with a chronic course, a transition to an acute form is possible against the background of pneumonia, hypertensive crisis, myocarditis, chronic nephritis, and coronary heart disease.
An interesting fact is that in patients with congenital defects, severe cyanosis (blueness of the skin of the lips, hands), edema is not observed.
Hypertension is recognized as the main cause of chronic heart failure in the world. And in European territory, ischemic myocardial disease predominates.
Cardiac edema can also appear with:
Symptoms of cardiac edema are always combined with other manifestations of diseases; they do not arise immediately, but during the development of the decompensatory stage. Unlike renal edema, which forms very quickly, literally in a few hours, cardiac edema has a slow increase. It takes time for the residual blood volume to move into the tissue.
If the hand is in a hanging position for a long time, the hand swells
In differential diagnosis, pay attention to the following signs:
In differential diagnosis, a number of distinctive features should be taken into account.
Swelling on the face and neck is characteristic of impaired outflow in the superior vena cava with adhesive pericarditis, pulmonary emphysema, and compression of the vascular bundle by a growing tumor.
The appearance of redness and pronounced swelling on the leg indicates erysipelas.
Women during menopause may experience swelling in the legs and face
Patients with myxedema have a characteristic appearance: pale, swollen face, dry skin, narrowed eye slits, hair loss. These are endocrine edema caused by a failure of neuroendocrine regulation.
In old age, in obese people, swelling of the legs develops without heart failure, especially in hot weather with prolonged immobility (standing, sitting).
Other symptoms that appeared earlier help confirm the cardiac origin:
Most cases of visits to a doctor are so typical that they do not pose difficulties in diagnosis. It is more difficult to detect the initial stage of hidden edema. For this it is recommended:
A complete examination scheme to identify heart disease that has caused swelling of the legs is used in medical institutions with the aim of diagnosing heart failure as early as possible and prescribing treatment.
When examining a patient, the doctor must carefully ask about:
Auscultation reveals heart murmurs. During palpation, attention is drawn to the properties of edema, a sensitive and enlarged liver.
Renal edema is located in places with loose subcutaneous tissue - under the eyes, on the eyelids
It is important to measure the circumference of the abdomen, legs, weight in dynamics. The decrease speaks in favor of the effectiveness of treatment. The possibility of relieving swelling with the help of medications indicates a gradual restoration of the compensatory properties of the heart muscle.
Measuring blood pressure and establishing a connection with hypertension is an important link in diagnosis. Methods for reducing blood pressure depend on the condition of the heart and the age of the patient.
Electrocardiography - shows a shift to the left of the electrical axis and characteristic signs of hypertrophic changes in the myocardium.
Ultrasound and Doppler study - detect increased heart size, changes in configuration, signs of defects, and circulatory disorders.
An X-ray image of heart failure shows an expansion of the boundaries of the heart shadow and congestion in the lung tissue.
Measuring central venous pressure allows us to record the main mechanism of edema - an increase in pressure in the venous part of the circulation. The procedure is performed in a hospital by inserting a catheter into the right atrium or at the level of the subclavian vein.
Imprints of shoe fasteners and socks in the evening indicate swelling
The following changes are recorded in the blood test:
Urinalysis can distinguish between cardiac and renal edema. When kidneys are damaged, protein is always increased (normally it should not be released), sodium is decreased. Due to heart disease, the daily amount decreases (oliguria).
Treatment consists of treating heart failure with available means. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized. Under good conditions, continuous use of medications at home is recommended. Traditional methods should always be agreed with your doctor, since in combination with medications an unpredictable effect is possible.
Without changing your diet for edema, some medications are useless. Therefore, dietary requirements should be treated as treatment.
The patient will have to comply with the following rules:
Adding salt to the plate is allowed, taking into account that the patient will only eat less than a teaspoon (5 g) throughout the day.
Patients must firmly understand that it is impossible to relieve edema with diuretics alone, since even the best diuretics do not solve all problems of heart failure.
The following classes of drugs are used in treatment:
Those who like to be treated with folk remedies can be offered a combination of medications with the least safe herbal decoctions and fruit tinctures. Traditional medicine includes:
Cardiac edema can only be treated comprehensively and requires the selection of remedies with the greatest individual sensitivity of the patient. It is impossible to cause increased urination without consequences for the functioning of the heart. Therefore, you should be careful when combining pills and herbs.
Often, patients miss the onset of the disease and see a doctor at later stages of the disease. Gradually, heart failure and edema become chronic, and it becomes increasingly difficult to remove them.
Often, swelling in the legs, under the eyes and on the face indicates the onset of a serious heart disease in a person. Cardiac edema usually appears in older people and is a consequence of heart failure. Edema is a natural physiological reaction of the body to disruptions in the functioning of the heart and a decrease in cardiac output. With proper and timely treatment, there is a high probability of eliminating all the symptoms that accompany cardiac edema and improving a person’s quality of life.
The mechanism of occurrence and development of cardiac edema is based on quite complex processes. In general, the pathogenesis of cardiac edema looks something like this. Certain causes (heart attack, unstable tonsillitis, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, inflammation) damage muscle tissue and reduce the contractility of the heart. As a result, cardiac output slows and decreases. Since the heart does not have time to pump all the necessary blood, fluid stagnates, it begins to sweat and accumulate in the intercellular space and cavities of the body. For example, cardiac dropsy occurs as a result of fluid accumulation in the pericardial area.
In the early stages, cardiac edema is localized first on the legs, and only then on other parts of the body, for example under the eyes. In this case, both legs swell evenly. At first, the swelling is minor and goes away quite quickly after a short rest. With further development of the disease, edematous phenomena worsen. Even a long night's rest does not help. In addition to swelling in the lower legs, swelling of the thighs also occurs. In bedridden patients, cardiac edema manifests itself in the lumbar and pelvic spine; these are alarming signs of deterioration in a person’s condition.
The location of edema in the leg area is a characteristic sign indicating cardiac edema. With kidney failure, swelling first appears on the face and under the eyes. With cirrhosis of the liver, there is an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.
Often, patients miss the onset of the disease and see a doctor at later stages of the disease. The reasons for this lie in the fact that the first symptoms and signs are rather weakly expressed, and the process of developing heart disease itself is rather sluggish. At first, the legs swell only in the evening or with prolonged vertical load on the lower limbs. After a short rest and changing body position, slight swelling disappears without causing any concern.
Unlike renal, hepatic and other types, edema in heart failure is ascending. Initially, their appearance is noted on the feet and legs. As the underlying disease worsens, the area of swelling increases. Gradually they rise upward, to the lower back, tailbone, arms, and then become noticeable on the face, in particular, under the eyes.
If, when pressing with a finger on the front part of the shin, a hole is formed above the tibia, which does not disappear for some time, then we can talk about the presence of cardiac edema. A sudden significant increase in body weight may also indicate that the body's water balance is disturbed.
Cardiac edema often has additional symptoms, such as swelling of the face. Often there is shortness of breath, bluish lips, pale skin, irregular heart rhythm (tachycardia), limited physical activity due to fatigue, and a constant feeling of fatigue. Subsequent stages of the disease may be accompanied by hepatomegaly (increase in liver size) and ascites (abdominal edema). To make a more accurate diagnosis, you must urgently seek advice from your doctor.
In order to identify the cause of swelling (under the eyes or on any parts of the body) and prescribe adequate treatment, a variety of diagnostic methods are used. The standard examination includes: a general clinical blood test, an x-ray of the heart and lungs, an electrocardiogram of the heart, and computed tomography. To identify defects in the arteries, vessels and heart valves, echocardiography is prescribed. A detailed analysis of information about the history of the disease is carried out.
Cardiac edema is not a disease, but only one of the symptoms of heart failure. Therefore, to eliminate edema, it is necessary first of all to get rid of the underlying ailment. The causes and swelling itself can disappear only with full or partial compensation of the cardiac disorder.
When treating edema, diuretics (hypothiazide, Lasix, furosemide, etc.) and ACE inhibitors (drugs that convert the hormone angiotensin) are prescribed. Cardiac glucosides are prescribed to enhance the contractile function of the heart, normalize blood circulation and thereby prevent congestion.
Treatment of cardiac edema, including on the face and under the eyes, can be done using traditional methods. When fluid stagnates, herbal decoctions are often used. In particular, they will help remove bags under the eyes.
2 tbsp. Pour a glass of boiling water over dry horsetail. Let it brew for 20 minutes. Use the strained decoction 4 times a day, 65 ml.
Pour 40 g of crushed lovage root into a liter of boiling water and leave to simmer in a water bath for 8-10 minutes. Then let it brew for 20-25 minutes. Then strain and consume 4 times a day, 50 g each.
10-15 g of dry raw materials, poured a glass of boiling water, leave for two hours. Drink a glass per day for two weeks.
You should be attentive to your health and not miss the first signs of possible diseases.
Symptoms mainly appear on the face in the form of swelling under the eyes. Dropsy of the heart is especially dangerous; its treatment is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting.
Many middle-aged or elderly people face the problem of cardiac edema of the legs. They are the cause of heart failure and disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. In the presence of these problems, not all organs and parts of the body are supplied with the required amount of blood and, therefore, oxygen and necessary nutrients. This is the cause of swelling.
There are several forms of heart failure: chronic and acute. The second form is the most dangerous for humans. It is associated with the rapid development of pathologies and diseases of the human cardiovascular system and exposure to toxins and allergens. This can be fatal. That is why it is necessary to immediately begin treating these ailments.
To get rid of swelling in the legs, you should first eliminate the main cause of their appearance - heart failure. For many patients who have an early stage of development of this disease, it is not particularly difficult to cure it. In more advanced forms of heart failure, comprehensive effective treatment is required. Otherwise, the disease may develop into more serious diseases or become the main cause of death.
Leg swelling associated with heart failure can be treated at home in the early stages of its development. This method of treatment should be carefully discussed with the attending physician and carried out only under his strict supervision. Treatment at home without the use of medications has little in common with treatment with folk remedies.
The first and most important thing is correct - while sleeping, you need to take the correct posture, which will help reduce swelling in your legs. It is necessary to keep your legs at a certain angle in an elevated position. To do this, you can place special bolsters or pillows under your knees.
The second rule is to drink enough water per day. Most often, doctors limit patients with cardiac edema to 1 liter of water per day. It is also necessary to limit salt consumption. Experts recommend not consuming more than half a teaspoon of salt per day. Ideally, home-cooked food should not be salted at all. All the elements and minerals necessary for the body are contained in food. Cheese, fish, legumes, dairy products, etc. are rich in sodium.
Therapeutic massage will help solve problems with swelling. It is taught by specialists. Using active circular movements it is necessary to work out problem areas on the legs.
Finally, baths and compresses are a great way to reduce swelling at home. The pharmacy sells many products that help get rid of cardiac edema. But before buying them, consult a cardiologist.
Proper balanced nutrition is an excellent way to combat many ailments. Heart failure and leg swelling are no exception. That is why, to eliminate these problems, doctors prescribe a therapeutic diet to patients. It has absolutely nothing to do with fasting or strict restrictions. The diet also allows you to get rid of the consumption of food “garbage” and strengthen the general well-being of the patient.
You should limit your consumption of highly salty, fatty and spicy foods. Remove smoked foods, fast food, and processed foods from your diet. Limit your consumption of flour products, sweets, hot seasonings, and fatty sauces.
There is a special list of foods that must be consumed in case of heart failure and swelling against this background. These products enhance the removal of excess water from the body and promote normal urination. These include:
In order to maintain the optimal level of potassium, sodium, magnesium and other substances necessary for normal life in the body while actively removing water from the body, you should eat baked or boiled potatoes, dried fruits and nuts.
By following this diet, you will not only be able to reduce swelling in your legs, but also lose excess weight, remove toxins from the body, improve your well-being and skin condition, solve problems with metabolism and digestion, etc.
Drug treatment is a more serious measure for getting rid of cardiac edema. It allows you to get rid of exactly the cause of their occurrence - heart failure.
There are special categories of drugs that can cure this disease. The first category is diuretics . Diuretics get rid of excess fluid in the body. A fairly common drug in this category is Furosemide.
The next category of drugs is glycosides . They affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Glycosides accelerate the rate of contraction of the heart muscle to optimal values. These drugs include Digitoxin.
The third category of medications is antiarrhythmic drugs . These drugs have a positive effect on the general condition of the human cardiovascular system.
Finally, the last category of drugs that can solve the problem of cardiac swelling of the legs are nitrates . They can significantly reduce the load on the heart muscle.
If used incorrectly, drug treatment can greatly harm the patient’s body. Many medications can have a negative effect on the liver and digestion. That is why before using the above remedies, you should definitely consult with a specialist. The attending physician will prescribe an effective course of treatment, taking into account all the characteristics of the body.
If the patient’s condition has sharply worsened, there is a negative trend in the development of heart failure, and swelling of the legs has reached the maximum permissible limits, then inpatient treatment is prescribed. Specialists will monitor the patient’s health around the clock. They also prescribe and carry out an effective course of treatment.
Inpatient treatment may include both the use of medications and various health procedures. The exception is IVs. In the presence of severe swelling of the extremities, they are contraindicated. Giving IV fluids can make the situation much worse. The size of edema increases, the functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system worsens. IVs can lead to the development of more serious diseases. These include pulmonary edema. This can also lead to the death of the patient.
Intravenous administration of drugs is a fairly effective method of treating various diseases. But it is possible with a rapid decrease in the volume of swelling or its complete elimination. Before prescribing IVs, the doctor must assess the patient’s health and check whether his indicators meet the standards for fluid content in the lungs.
Drugs belonging to the group of diuretics are actively prescribed to patients with heart failure. Furosemide is very common in hospital settings. It perfectly accelerates diuretic processes in the body and allows you to get rid of excess fluid.
But before prescribing this drug, it is necessary to monitor the patient’s blood pressure level. If its value is reduced, the use of Furosemide is not recommended. If the patient’s condition is critical and he needs the use of diuretics, blood pressure is lowered by artificial methods.
Traditional methods are very common among patients with heart failure. Many simply do not want to spend money on purchasing rather expensive medications and contact specialists. But it is worth noting that not all cardiologists recognize traditional medicine as truly effective and efficient in the fight against disorders of the cardiovascular system. Not all traditional methods can relieve a patient from heart problems. When using them, the patient takes full responsibility for the result of treatment. But still, it is better to consult with your attending cardiologist first.
One of the most effective folk remedies is natural green tea. Its regular use can remove toxins and antioxidants from the body and rid it of excess fluid.
Fresh cranberry juice has an excellent diuretic and diuretic effect. It must be consumed regularly. But do not forget to control the amount of liquid consumed daily. Excessive use can increase the size of swelling of the limbs.
Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy in the fight against edema. It must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:2 and consumed one spoon per day. But excessive consumption or the wrong ratio of these two components can lead to serious consequences. Vinegar in its pure form can cause burns to the larynx and esophagus. Therefore, when using this product you must be very careful and observe all proportions.
Nettle infusion will help eliminate swelling of the limbs and improve heart function. The method of preparing it is very similar to the method of preparing regular tea. Pre-dried nettles are soaked in hot water. This infusion can be consumed several times a day.
Infusions of birch buds, cherries, dill and parsley also help in treating this problem. Dill is also an excellent natural diuretic. It is recommended to consume it as usual or use it in cooking.
Relieve swelling of the limbs and medicinal baths. Baths can be made using both pharmaceutical and natural products. The latter include mint, spruce needles, chamomile, etc. You should avoid products with a warming effect. It is worth immersing not only the feet, but also the lower legs in the medicinal solution. The optimal temperature of such baths should exceed the optimal temperature of the human body. The duration of the procedure should be at least ten minutes.
Compresses are no less effective. They help reduce pain and reduce the size of swelling in the legs. A common means of applying compresses is raw potatoes, grated on a fine grater. Apply the prepared mixture to the problem area, cover it with a bag or bandage and insulate it.
The human heart performs the function of a pump, the main task of which is to properly organize the blood circulation process. The phenomenon when the organ does not cope with this fully is defined as heart failure. When a muscle is physically unable to pump blood in such quantities to be effective, oxygen movement and transport of nutrients are difficult. The result of this is blood stagnation.
Scientists have concluded that heart failure cannot be positioned as a separate disease. Most often it is a consequence of various physical conditions and diseases.
Interesting! In the United States of America, this pathology is observed in 1% of the population. By the way, the incidence rate increases with age, i.e. people over 75 years of age get sick more often and account for 10%.
The description of the disease begins with the study of its causes. In most cases, the inferior functioning of the heart is the result of diseases of the elements of the cardiovascular system:
In special but rare cases, deficiency is one of the main symptoms. If progression is observed for a short time, then the form of the pathology is considered acute; other cases indicate a chronic form. Cardiovascular disease aside, there are additional contributing factors that complicate heart failure. This applies to fever, low hemoglobin, bad habits, and over-functioning of the thyroid gland.
For each person, the period of development of obvious failure is individual; it can be right or left ventricular, it all depends on which part of the heart suffers more. The symptoms of the disease also depend on this, but swelling of the legs is almost always present.
Along with this, the following may occur:
Swelling in the legs with heart failure depends on which particular area of the heart muscle is not fulfilling its purpose. In all cases, clinical manifestations have varying degrees of severity, in some cases even death is possible.
Swelling of the legs is the rule rather than the exception. Their location is determined by what kind of functional disorders occur in the heart, as well as the distinctive features of the underlying disease that provoked this pathology. In such cases, fluid accumulation is always bilateral. The cause of this phenomenon is damage to the right ventricle; venous stagnation is formed precisely in the systemic circulation.
In any case, the development of a painful condition entails a worsening of its symptoms. For example, if at first the swelling of the legs due to heart failure is not significant, the feet and legs swell at most, which quickly returns to normal, then later they become chronic. And when swelling and heaviness in the legs are present for a long time, and even spread, the turn of other clinical manifestations of the abnormal state of the body comes.
Today there is no problem to find a photo of “swelling of the legs due to heart failure” on the Internet. Essentially, these are liquid accumulations in the patient’s lower extremities. The danger is that starting from the feet, it can spread to other parts of the body.
Dangerous! Due to the fact that the first manifestations of the disease are not so noticeable, and swelling in the first period appears only in the evening, patients often delay visiting the doctor, which negatively affects their condition. Then it is quite difficult to change something, and the pathology can become chronic.
Swelling of the legs due to heart failure has individual symptoms. It all starts from the bottom, development occurs over several weeks, months. The legs become dense, and when pressure is applied, pits remain. This is also complemented by hepatomegaly, shortness of breath, cyanosis of the lips, and pallor of the integument.
When the heart is not functioning at full capacity, the volume and frequency of its emissions drops. Whenever blood flow decreases, the volume of fluids inside the cells decreases, thus sending a signal to the kidneys that water and sodium need to be retained. If plasma stagnates in elastic tubular formations, some of the stagnant liquid penetrates into nearby tissues. This is how swelling appears. Due to the influence of gravity, the accumulations move to the bottom, so the legs swell first.
Now you know that if your legs are swollen, the likely cause is heart failure. This definitely needs to be treated. Initially, unpleasant sensations can be quickly eliminated at home:
In extreme stages, it is important to monitor for heart failure. To suppress swelling of the legs, diuretic medications are used. Chemical structure agents promote the free outflow of excess fluid from the body. Both traditional medicine and special medications can help. Treatment of edema also includes herbal cardiac glycosides and loop diuretics.
First of all, effective treatment of the disease that is the root cause of edema is necessary.
Cardiac edema in the early stages is eliminated by additional rest, foot massage and cold compresses. But these measures in the later stages no longer bring results - more radical treatment is required.
Drug treatment is prescribed by a cardiologist based on the results of a detailed examination. Diuretics are prescribed concomitantly to help remove excess fluid from the body.
Traditional medicine has a good diuretic effect. But their use must be coordinated with a doctor in order to avoid dehydration of the body due to incorrect dosages of herbal medicines.
Some conservative medicine drugs are incompatible with traditional medicine. Remember this!
Your feet may swell from time to time under certain conditions, even if you are completely healthy. Mine do this on long flights. (I always carry a small cone with me to make it easier to put my boots back on when the plane is landing.) Some women experience swelling during their periods due to fluid retention. If you've been out in the sun for too long, your feet may become swollen; such a reaction can be caused by a general allergy to something; and of course - varicose veins, any injury, sprained ankle or foot. But besides these obvious things, there are some painful conditions in which there is constant swelling of the legs, ankles and feet.
According to statistics, chronic swelling of the legs and feet is most often a consequence of heart failure or phlebitis of the lower extremities. It is easy to separate these two states. Phlebitis usually affects only one leg, congestive heart failure affects both; Phlebitis is painful, cardiac edema is not. Depending on the cause, swelling has its own characteristics. Let's look at heart failure first.
The left side of the heart (left ventricle) pumps blood to the rest of the body through the arteries. This blood flows to the tissues, where it gives up its oxygen and collects carbon dioxide, CO2, and other waste products. The deoxygenated blood then travels through the veins to the right side of the heart, which pumps it into the lungs to be re-oxygenated. It then returns to the left half and the cycle begins again.
When the heart muscle is weakened by a heart attack, long-term, untreated high blood pressure, a virus, or heart valve disease, it lacks the strength to pump all the blood that returns to it from the veins to the lungs. After some time, blood begins to accumulate in the veins. As a result, the liver, located below the heart, becomes filled with blood and enlarges. Eventually, the veins, even in the legs, also expand. At a certain period, the liquid component of the blood seeps into the tissue, which causes its swelling.
When the left side of the heart is weak, fresh blood from the lungs cannot flow and is retained there. This “pulmonary congestion” causes difficulty breathing and coughing. The right and left sides of the heart usually weaken together, which is why anyone with heart failure will experience swelling in the legs and difficulty breathing.
Phlebitis occurs when one or more veins, on the surface of the leg or deep inside, become inflamed or blocked by a blood clot. Inflammation causes pain, swelling and redness. Blockage of the vein causes blood to stagnate and leak into the surrounding tissue, and the walls of the vein become more permeable as a result of inflammation. Unlike heart failure, which causes swelling in both legs, phlebitis usually affects only one.
People with serious kidney disease have swelling everywhere - in their legs, arms, face (they have difficulty removing rings from their fingers or putting them on). This general swelling is the result of loss of protein (albumin) in the urine. Albumin is produced by the liver and circulates in the blood. A healthy kidney does not allow it to pass into the urine. But with diseased kidneys, albumin gets into the urine. Insurance companies ask for your urine test before they will insure you to make sure there is no albumin in your urine, which would indicate kidney disease. Albumin is found not only in the blood, but also in tissues. With healthy kidneys, balance is maintained. But when a large amount of albumin is lost, nature tries to restore this balance, and fluid from the bloodstream enters the tissues to increase the albumin content there. This excess fluid causes general swelling.
Liver disease—in advanced stages (not the mild hepatitis you get from eating contaminated fish)—causes your feet to swell for two reasons. First: damaged liver cells are unable to produce enough albumin; the overall result is the same as if the kidneys passed it into the urine: the tissues swell as the body tries to equalize the concentration of albumin in the blood and in surrounding tissues. Second: scar tissue appears in the liver, through which blood moving from the legs to the heart cannot pass and stagnates. Large glands or tumors in the abdomen can also press on veins, causing swelling in the legs.
Starvation. Have you ever wondered why starving children have bloated bellies? Swelling of the abdomen is a consequence of a lack of protein in food. Therefore, the fluid leaves the blood vessels into the tissues - in this case, into the abdominal cavity, as it does in kidney and liver diseases.
A sharp decrease in thyroid function will result in widespread swelling, including swelling of the legs. As with protein imbalances of renal or hepatic origin, edema results from the loss of fluid from the vessels and its release into the tissues in an attempt to balance the albumin concentration.
In recent years, another cause of swollen feet has exploded onto the scene. This happens in people who have had coronary artery bypass surgery. This operation uses strips of veins from one or both legs as new vessels, allowing blood to bypass clogged heart vessels. If a vein is removed over a significant length, the legs become swollen. This phenomenon, although serious, does not cause concern, usually disappears after a few months as the remaining veins adapt to the new conditions.
Some medications can cause leg swelling: testosterone (most often prescribed for impotence), long-term administration of steroids related to cortisone (for arthritis, asthma, cancer), estrogens (female hormones), birth control pills, some antidepressants, medications that lower blood pressure, such as aprezoline, reserpine, aldomet, ezimil.
When the pericardium, the sac around the heart, gets sick (usually after a viral or other infection or after heart surgery), it can become thick and tight, like armor around the heart. This makes it difficult for the heart muscle to contract and relax normally. As a result, less blood enters the right ventricle of the heart, it stagnates, and the veins of the neck, abdomen and, ultimately, legs swell.
You've got the general idea of how and why your legs and feet swell. The following information will help you figure out what exactly you have.
If the swelling is on one side, you do not have a general disease, such as a lack of protein in the blood, heart weakness, liver or kidney disease.
With heart failure, it is usually the legs that swell, not the face or fingers.
If your stomach and legs are swollen, the cause is more likely to be in the liver than in the heart, especially if swelling in the abdomen first appeared.
Here are some other observations you should make.
Press firmly with your finger on the swollen leg and hold for a few seconds, then release. The result is a dent that lasts for a minute or two; it is called a “dimple.” They never occur with edema due to decreased thyroid function, but are observed in most other cases.
If you are a man and in addition to your legs becoming swollen, your breasts have become enlarged, you have only started shaving after a day or two, your palms are red and you are short of breath, you can be sure that you have serious liver damage.
If you have swelling in both your face and legs, it's probably not from heart or liver disease. Think about a low thyroid function, some kind of general allergic reaction, pressure on the heart by the pericardial sac, or trichinosis, an infection you got from eating undercooked pork contaminated with trichinella worms, or kidney disease.
If the skin on your swollen legs has brown pigmentation, especially around the ankles, then your problem is long-standing, usually related to chronically enlarged varicose veins. The pigmentation is due to blood that has leaked through the vein wall into adjacent tissue.
If the swelling is painful, red and hot, you may have injured your leg, become infected, or have acute phlebitis. Uncomplicated heart failure, kidney disease or liver disease do not cause pain.
Suspect heart failure if both legs are swollen and you have difficulty breathing.
Are your feet swollen all day or only in the evening? If this continues around the clock, then it is very likely that there is a protein metabolism disorder or a problem with the veins. If it gets worse in the evening, then most likely the cause is heart weakness.
If swelling develops unexpectedly, there is a greater chance of a blockage, thrombosis, or infection in the veins than a general disorder of protein metabolism.
If your belly enlarges before your legs swell, the cause is more likely to lie in the liver or a thickened pericardial sac. But if the legs swell first, and then fluid appears in the abdomen, this is either a problem with the kidneys or the heart.
Whatever the reason, don't take diuretics from your friends to quickly deal with swollen feet. Real treatment is possible only after an accurate diagnosis has been established.
What could it mean? What to do with him? 1. Heart failure
(if both legs). Heart treatment.2. Phlebitis (if one leg). Warmth, rest, leg elevation, and (usually) anticoagulants.3. Varicose veins. Elastic bandage, injections that cause the veins to become empty, surgery4. Kidney disease (swelling throughout the body). Medical treatment, dialysis.5. Liver disease. Diuretics, steroids, diet.6. Fasting (or severe imbalances in diet). Nutritious food7. Low thyroid function. Replacement administration of thyroid hormones.8. Coronary bypass surgery using leg veins. Elastic bandage.9. Medicines. Discontinue the offending drug.10. Pericarditis. Medicines, surgery.
Heart tumors are pathological formations of abnormal cellular composition. They are quite capable of independent growth, and the reasons for their occurrence still remain unknown. Tumors can be located in the heart and in its outer lining (pericardium).
Tumors of the thymus gland are called thymomas. This term was introduced into medical practice back in 1900 by the physician Grandhoume and is still used today.
Wilms tumor (nephroblastoma) is a malignant neoplasm of the renal parenchyma that occurs in childhood. The tumor arises as a result of a violation of the embryonic development of tissues, and therefore, Wilms tumor is often combined with other pathologies. The tumor is characterized by rapid growth and a tendency to metastasize, especially if it invades the renal blood vessels.
Lumps on the neck are most often the result of enlarged lymph glands, just as it happens under the armpit. Local problems that cause the neck glands to swell (and hurt) are a sore throat, for any reason, and a recent visit to the dentist during which he drilled, extracted, put a filling, or simply brushed your teeth and picked gums.
Most often, swelling can be seen in the lower leg area. This is due to the fact that it is here that congestion most easily occurs when the activity of the cardiovascular system is disrupted.
Depending on its severity, edema of cardiac origin can spread only to the feet, legs, or reach the knee joint area.
Everyone is able to recognize cardiac edema. A photo of this pathological phenomenon will show the patient’s legs and feet enlarged in volume. As a result, even a layman can determine their presence. Cardiac edema in the lower extremities is very easy to detect. You just need to press on the swollen area with your finger and then remove it. If the dent persists for 5-10 seconds after the finger is removed, then we are really talking about swelling. The deeper the dent, the greater the disruption of the cardiovascular system.
In addition to edema, there is also such a thing as “pastyness”. It is usually understood as almost unexpressed swelling of the legs and feet. In this case, after pressing with a finger, there are practically no traces left on the affected area. Pastosity, unlike edema, practically does not require additional therapy.
It is now reliably known that this phenomenon is observed due to the presence of congestion in the lower extremities. They occur when the right side of the heart is unable to contract with normal force. This leads to an increase in pressure in the systemic circulation, and in particular in the vessels of the lower extremities. In this case, the venous bed is especially overfilled. Subsequently, the hydrostatic pressure in the capillaries increases, and the fluid rushes through the vascular wall into the surrounding tissues. This is how cardiac edema appears. Symptoms indicate the presence of disturbances in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. So it is necessary to promptly seek help from a specialist.
First of all, a person needs to double-check whether he is taking the medications prescribed by his doctor correctly. If all the recommendations have been followed, but edema of cardiac origin still appears, you should consult a general practitioner or cardiologist. Even before visiting the doctor, it would be a good idea to undergo an electrocardiogram and ultrasound examination of the heart.
This problem is very common in older patients. At the same time, swelling should not persist for a long time, otherwise it can lead to a fairly large number of problems. As a result, if cardiac edema occurs, you should not expect symptoms of a different nature. Treatment must be started immediately.
First of all, the doctor will assess the situation and determine whether cardiac pathology really underlies the swelling that has arisen. If the problem is truly related to a disorder of the cardiovascular system, then the doctor will prescribe drugs from the group of diuretics. Among them, the most commonly used drugs are Furosemide and Hydrochlorothiazide. However, such treatment is only symptomatic. First of all, the doctor will try to restore the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. The most common drugs that help improve its functioning are beta-blockers. These drugs reduce the load on cardiomyocytes, thereby facilitating the activity of the heart. In addition, drugs that reduce blood clotting are necessarily prescribed. The use of drugs that improve the metabolism of cardiomyocytes is also highly desirable. The most effective among them is the drug Thiotriazolin. It is perhaps the only drug whose effectiveness in improving the metabolism of cardiac tissue has been proven through serious medical research.
If edema occurs due to heart failure, this type of treatment will help quickly overcome the problem.
If the disturbance in the activity of the cardiovascular system has reached a sufficiently severe severity, then medical measures are carried out in a hospital setting. If severe cardiac edema occurs, treatment should not include IVs. The fact is that additional volumes of fluid administered intravenously can further disrupt the activity of the cardiovascular system. As a result of such thoughtless manipulations, the patient may even develop pulmonary edema, and this condition should be treated in intensive care.
Intravenous drip administration of drugs is possible only after the swelling of the lower extremities has significantly decreased. In addition, the doctor must evaluate whether there is fluid in the lung tissue. Most often, people with this pathology are administered a so-called potassium-polarizing mixture in this way. This mixture of drugs significantly improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
As for diuretic drugs, among others, the drug Furosemide has become most widespread in inpatient settings. In the hospital, it is usually given as an intravenous bolus. Moreover, even before the injection, the doctor assesses the patient’s blood pressure level. If it is too low, then the administration of diuretics should be delayed. In the case when the patient takes antihypertensive drugs, the scheme of their use is simply adjusted. If the patient does not use such medications, then the person has to use drugs that increase blood pressure. Among them, the most commonly used drug is Prednisolone.
First of all, it is necessary to promptly consult a doctor if the first signs of disruption of the cardiovascular system occur. In addition, it is very important to fully comply with the recommendations that were provided to them.
It should also be noted that excess sodium intake contributes to fluid retention in the body. This leads to the appearance of congestion in the lower extremities. To prevent large amounts of sodium from accumulating in the body, excessive consumption of table salt should be avoided. Doctors and nutritionists advise limiting its amount in the diet to 3 g per day.
Many patients prefer Furosemide among diuretic drugs. This state of affairs is due to the fact that it quickly removes cardiac edema. Symptoms of cardiovascular failure often disappear within the first two days. Unfortunately, such a drug cannot be a panacea for any cardiac edema. The fact is that the constant use of the drug "Furosemide" promotes the accelerated removal of potassium and magnesium from the body. As a result, with long-term use, this medicine can aggravate the course of diseases of the cardiovascular system.
If the drug Furosemide is prescribed for a long time, it is very advisable to combine its use with the drug Asparkam. It will help the body replenish mineral reserves.
A fairly popular diuretic is the drug “Hydrochlorothiazide”. This drug has a much less pronounced effect than the drug Furosemide. Accordingly, it does not cause such serious losses of minerals from the body. As a result, this medicine can be taken almost on an ongoing basis. Cardiac edema under its influence does not go away immediately. A certain effect can be observed in about 3-4 days.
This phenomenon in itself is not dangerous if it does not persist for a long period of time. If cardiac edema is quite pronounced and persists for 1-2 weeks, then this can lead to serious problems. The fact is that when serious swelling occurs in the lower extremities, the vessels are compressed. This is especially true for small-caliber arteries and veins. As a result, the blood supply to peripheral tissues is disrupted. This leads to a deterioration in their nutrition and, as a consequence, gradual death. This can even cause trophic ulcers. If nothing is done for a long period of time, the processes of tissue degeneration can become even more pronounced. In this case, the solution to the problem is often only surgical.
First of all, it should be noted the increase in the volume of the lower extremities. First of all, we are talking about the legs and feet. Moreover, in some cases, very pronounced cardiac edema of the legs is observed. Treatment, if carried out, significantly reduces the volume of the legs, but does not always return it to normal. When pressing on the swollen area, a dent remains on it, which does not go away within 10 seconds.
It is worth noting that this phenomenon is observed not only in pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Edema can also occur for completely different reasons. As for the lower extremities, they can also appear here due to joint pathology. For example, with rheumatoid arthritis, quite pronounced swelling may occur. The difference here may be that edema of cardiac origin is not accompanied by pain in the small joints of the lower extremities. With rheumatoid arthritis, it is more disturbing in the morning. In addition, with pathology of the joints on the surface of the edematous area, the temperature of the skin is increased.
Allergic reactions also cause swelling. It appears on the legs as a result of contact with a plant or the bite of one or another insect. As a result, taking an anamnesis is very important. In this case, the symmetry of the occurrence of edema plays an important role. In case of allergic reactions, it will be observed on the limb that came into contact with the plant or an insect bite. Cardiac edema is usually symmetrical. In addition, allergic manifestations are quickly relieved by the administration of antihistamines. Cardiac edema will not disappear with this treatment.