Edema is a pathological condition in which fluid from the vascular bed enters the intercellular substance, accumulating in it. This phenomenon impairs the functioning of the body by reducing the volume of circulating blood, which increases the load on the heart. Also, massive edema can compress surrounding tissues and disrupt physiological processes in them.
The causes of edema during pregnancy are divided into physiological and pathological.
Physiological edema is characterized by a number of signs. They are not extensive; during the entire pregnancy, a woman normally gains no more than 12 kilograms. Also, physiological edema appears only on the extremities, less often on the face; they do not affect the body cavities (abdominal, thoracic) and the placenta. Normally, excess fluid leaves the mother's body on its own shortly after birth and is not accompanied by other symptoms.
Today there is no single point of view on the etiology of gestosis, but experts identify five theories of the occurrence of the disease :
Many expectant mothers experience swelling in their legs from 30 to 34 weeks of pregnancy; if this happens in the evening, there is no reason to worry. This symptom can bring a feeling of discomfort, it is difficult to put shoes on swollen feet, and it is difficult for pregnant women to move. However, in case of morning swelling of the lower extremities, you should consult a doctor, since there is a possibility of preeclampsia.
Swelling of the nasal mucosa at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy is a frequent companion of expectant mothers. This causes them to have a runny nose, sneezing and congestion. If these symptoms are present throughout the day, you need to contact a specialist, since there is a possibility of developing late toxicosis of pregnancy.
Preeclampsia also causes complications in the mother’s body. In its mild and moderate forms, a woman may complain of fatigue, slight weakness, and decreased performance. But with a severe degree of gestosis, there is a strong increase in blood pressure (above 160 mm Hg), against the background of which various pathologies arise.
The physiological accumulation of fluid in the body during pregnancy does not require drug treatment; it will go away on its own after childbirth. To relieve mild swelling during pregnancy, the expectant mother should consume as little table salt as possible, move more, and avoid stressful situations. Decoctions of lingonberries, cranberries, and bearberries have a good diuretic effect, but before using them, consult a doctor.
To diagnose gestosis, a doctor must measure blood pressure and prescribe a general urine test. As additional examination methods, specialists can refer the expectant mother to a general and biochemical blood test, ultrasound of the fetus and kidneys, and fundus examination. They confirm the presence of gestosis and help detect its complications.
Consultation on pregnancy and childbirth issues, as well as checking texts before publication, is carried out by obstetrician of the II qualification category Irina Vasilievna Yashkina. Work experience in the specialty - 3 years.
From 2011 to 2014 mastered the educational program of secondary vocational education and successfully passed the state final certification in the specialty of Obstetrics.
In 2015, she completed advanced training under the program “Modern aspects of obstetric care in obstetric institutions.”
Currently she is an obstetrician at the Penza City Maternity Hospital (GBUZ) and a 3rd year student at the Penza State University Medical Institute.
Swelling of the arms or legs may indicate the development of diseases that require immediate treatment. Therefore, when this symptom appears, you need to consult a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination, which will allow you to determine the exact cause of swelling of the extremities.
Swelling of the limbs can be caused by various reasons, including:
It should be noted that swelling of the arms and legs is just a symptom, the severity of which can make a preliminary diagnosis and determine further treatment. But in any case, the patient will have to undergo examination to identify the cause of the swelling.
Before starting treatment for edema, it is necessary to establish the exact causes of its occurrence. Since in some cases they can be mixed and then comprehensive measures are required to eliminate them.
You should not try to get rid of swelling in your arms or legs on your own. You need to see a doctor. He will tell you what can be done to eliminate this symptom, prescribe medications and prescribe a diet.
Treatment of edema can be medicinal and surgical. In the first case, all measures are aimed at treating the underlying cause:
Surgical treatment of edema involves eliminating the very cause of its appearance. For example, for heart disease, valve replacement, stenting or bypass surgery are performed.
With the development of kidney pathologies, the cause of the impairment of their functionality is eliminated. If this is not possible, the patient is connected to an artificial kidney or undergoes an organ transplant.
For varicose veins, damaged vessels are eliminated and blood flow is redirected.
For pathologies of the endocrine system and, above all, for diseases of the thyroid gland, drug treatment is used. Surgical treatment is rarely resorted to.
If you are concerned about swelling, you should definitely see a doctor, even if your general condition is satisfactory. There are many reasons for the appearance of swelling, and it is important to detect and eliminate them in a timely manner.
Most women know about edema during pregnancy, but not everyone fully understands that many changes occur during this period, and many of them should concern you.
During pregnancy, edema is the most common pathology, which occurs due to the increasing load on the kidneys and an inactive lifestyle, with a minimum amount of physical activity.
How and why swelling occurs. Edema is a phenomenon when excess fluid accumulates in the tissues of the arms, legs, and nose. The body's need for fluid in pregnant women increases sharply, and its removal is complicated by sodium accumulating in the vessels.
When fluid is slowly removed from a pregnant woman’s body, swelling immediately appears on the face and in the nose area. Then the mucous membranes, arms and legs begin to swell. At an early stage, pregnant women may not notice swelling. This is noticeable in late pregnancy. Often, symptoms of swelling appear clearly and immediately. But any pregnant woman needs to be prepared for this feature of the pregnant period.
Mechanical - occurs due to injury during pregnancy
In case of kidney pathology – hydremic
Caused by diseases such as diabetes mellitus - neuropathic
Problems of blood vessels and heart - cachectic
Pressure in capillaries – stagnant
Caused by allergens - allergic
1 – with the first degree of swelling, only the legs swell
2 – feet, lower abdomen and lower legs
3 – the appearance of swelling on the limbs and face
4 – swelling of the whole body
- sudden and unexpected weight gain. The expectant mother's weight gain of 300-400g per week indicates that you have accumulated excess fluid
- your nose and lips, the oval of your face, have become fuller, swelling has appeared - this is also a sign of swelling
- pain in fingers and toes. It becomes more and more difficult to clench your fingers, and when you stand on your toes, you experience a painful sensation. There is numbness, slight tingling in the fingers and toes, and an unpleasant burning sensation
- things, shoes suddenly become small. The rings fit tighter on the fingers, the shoes fit tighter on the feet than usual. Traces remain on the body from clothing, in places of close contact. For example, a trace from the elastic of socks. All this suggests that excess fluid has accumulated in your tissues.
Swelling cannot always be seen with the naked eye; there are also its hidden forms, or tissue pathosis. It can be diagnosed by monitoring your weight gain. As a rule, this is a strong or uneven weight gain.
Compare the amount of fluid you drink and excrete per day. An ordinary person excretes 3-4 of the fluid consumed. When examining diuresis, it is necessary to take into account all liquids, tea, drinks, coffee. The remaining quarter leaves the body through breathing or sweat.
By measuring your leg circumference, you can also draw conclusions about fluid retention in the body. An increase in circumference of more than 1 centimeter per week indicates swelling of the legs.
Almost all women in this position have swelling in their legs. Particular discomfort is felt after a long walk or in later stages of pregnancy. This is caused by the growth of the fetus and the pressure of the uterus on the blood vessels. Shoes become small and difficult to fit on your feet. Pressure when walking causes pain. You shouldn’t worry too much if, after a hard day, pregnant women’s legs swell in the evening; this is quite normal. But if the swelling of the legs has not gone away by the morning, you should once again go to the doctor and consult.
Sedentary expectant mothers are at risk of developing varicose veins. After childbirth, such swelling goes away on its own.
Many pregnant women spend a long time at the computer, and they are among the first to feel swelling in their hands especially strongly. Monotonous hand movements contribute to fluid stagnation in the tissues. For this category of pregnant women, it is especially important to periodically do hand exercises and finger exercises.
Signs of fluid stagnation in the fingers are evidenced by the difficulty of pregnant women clenching their fingers into a fist. A burning sensation and a slight tingling sensation are all consequences of accumulated and stagnant fluid.
Often, breathing through the nose causes difficulties. There are a number of reasons for this: swelling of the face; allergic reactions that worsen during pregnancy, as well as hormonal changes in a woman’s body.
Heavy breathing through the nose makes life difficult and can negatively affect the development of the fetus. This is due to the fact that the supply of oxygen to the fetus is hampered due to swelling of the nasal mucosa. You must be careful when choosing a treatment method - almost all ordinary nasal drops are contraindicated for pregnant women. In this case, folk remedies or drops made from natural essential oils will come to the rescue to relieve nasal swelling during pregnancy.
Most people think that swelling during pregnancy is only a temporary flaw and inconvenience. In fact, edema is fraught with many threats and dangers for mother and child. Due to swelling of the mucous membrane, the fetus develops oxygen starvation. For expectant mothers, in severe cases, the pregnancy is forced to be terminated due to swelling of the internal organs and impairment of their functions. The accumulated fluid in the muscle tissues of the internal organs can compress the umbilical cord vessels and there is a possibility of fetal hypoxia.
The third trimester of pregnancy is the period in which the likelihood of edema is maximum and at this time you need to be careful in order to recognize and deal with it in time. They may also be signs of late toxicosis - gestosis. Preeclampsia is a serious danger for the child and mother. Accompanied by high blood pressure, swelling spreads to the entire body. There is a so-called “dry” gestosis, which is not accompanied by swelling, and it is considered a more severe disease. Do not risk your health and the health of your child; if you experience similar symptoms, or any other abnormalities during pregnancy, be sure to go to the doctor.
If you find swelling of your limbs or face, do not self-medicate. This phenomenon can occur individually for each person, and the doctor will tell you what to do in terms of treatment after he sees your tests. Treatment may vary depending on where the swelling starts. Signs that will tell you when you should see a doctor immediately:
- shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, swelling does not subside by morning, weight gain, weakness, protein was found in the pregnant woman’s urine, fatigue, not only the arms and legs swell, but also the face, stomach or lower back.
If swelling during pregnancy appears before 20 weeks, this may be a signal of some hidden disease. Do not hesitate and consult a specialist, examine your kidneys and heart.
For your health and the health of your unborn child, first of all, you need to eat right, following a diet and drinking regime. Do not eat fried, salty, smoked or fatty foods. Salt lovers will have to be patient during pregnancy and reduce the dose of salt by almost half. Drink liquids as desired, but you need to control the amount of liquid you drink. Focus on a volume of no more than 1200 ml per day, although everything is individual. Taking vitamins E and magnesium should ease your suffering. They will strengthen the vascular walls and improve blood circulation.
When sitting or lying down, place something soft under your feet.
If the above tips do not help eliminate swelling or the tests leave much to be desired, then for symptoms of gestosis, drug treatment is necessary, naturally as prescribed by a doctor.
In cases where the pregnant woman’s tests and blood pressure are within normal limits, you can try to fight edema using folk remedies:
- you can remove fluid from the body with diuretics, such as lingonberry leaf, kidney tea, bearberry, hawthorn or horsetail. Decoctions of dried apricots and fruit drinks based on lingonberries and beaks will also help you remove more fluid from the body. If you've had a hard day and you've been moving around a lot, a cool foot bath will help combat swelling during pregnancy.
If after all, you have not achieved the desired effect and swelling continues to annoy you, immediately consult a doctor and follow his recommendations. Remember, you are risking not only your health, but also the health of your unborn child.
Important: each person’s body is individual, this especially applies to the body of a pregnant woman with all the complexity of the processes occurring in her body. Therefore, doctors and specialists should be involved in the diagnosis and treatment of swelling of the arms, legs, abdomen, and face. Even among them, opinions often differ regarding diets and treatment when diagnosing edema during pregnancy. Do not self-medicate, you have double responsibility!
The cause of swelling of the arms and legs in 90% of cases lies in the improper functioning of the internal organs. People often blame the kidneys for not removing excess fluid from the body, which causes fluid stagnation, but this is not always true. This condition can be caused by cardiac pathologies or abnormal production of hormones by the endocrine system. Next, we will talk about how edema appears, what they are like, and what needs to be done to get rid of this unpleasant symptom.
Swelling of the arms and legs occurs when excess fluid begins to accumulate in the space between the cells. This process can affect the tissues of the entire body or a specific area. Women often experience facial swelling after applying night creams or masks. This condition does not require drug treatment. If your face swells without using any cosmetic products, then the problem is related to the functioning of the internal organs.
In a healthy person, a continuously certain amount of fluid enters the space between the cells and is then removed from them. If, due to external or internal natural factors, the balance is disturbed, then swelling of the face, hands or limbs occurs. A person who is faced with problems in the functioning of organs will experience swelling constantly.
There are chronic and episodic edema. In women, the latter type of swelling of the arms and legs is more common, the cause of which often lies in poor diet or incorrectly selected cosmetics. Irregular accumulation of fluid occurs under the influence of unfavorable environmental factors. These include:
Getting rid of occasional edema is very simple. It is necessary to eliminate the cause of their occurrence. Chronic tissue swelling is observed in the morning and evening. It indicates that the patient is suffering from some disease. You should not self-medicate such edema. If there is a constant violation of the outflow of fluid, you must go to the doctor. Based on a visual inspection and assessment of the condition, he will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Many people face this type of pathology at the end of the working day. Swelling of the arms and legs indicates stagnation of blood in the body. They are usually observed in people who spend a lot of time in the same position. You should panic if you notice swelling in your arms or legs in the morning. This means that the outflow of fluid is seriously impaired. You need to see a doctor to
Swelling of the face can occur both due to natural causes and due to diseases of the internal organs. Women encounter this phenomenon when changing cosmetics, excessively consuming food containing large amounts of salt and seasonings. This phenomenon is often observed a week before menstrual bleeding. During this period, the body begins to accumulate fluid to compensate for blood loss.
Facial swelling is often accompanied by mild puffiness of the legs in diseases of the endocrine system. Swelling of the eyelids occurs due to problems with the urinary system. In this case, yellowish bruises may still appear. If, against the background of swelling of the face, the skin of the eyelids acquires a purple tint, then the cardiovascular system should be checked.
The main cause of swelling of the arms and legs is simple physical fatigue. A person experiences stress at work, does not get enough sleep and cannot rest properly. This ultimately leads to fluid accumulation in the extremities. If this symptom does not leave a person even after a Saturday rest, then this is a reason to think that the appearance of swelling of the limbs and face provokes some kind of illness. The main causes of edema:
Edema due to problems with the heart develops very specifically. Initially, the fingers and toes begin to swell, and then the entire length of the limbs is affected. At first, the patient does not notice the pathology, but then begins to experience discomfort associated with the presence of excess fluid in the intercellular space. The cause of swelling of the arms and legs lies in poor myocardial function. It can no longer pump blood in the required volume, so it accumulates in the vessels. This leads to partial dysfunction of the venous valves.
A person often experiences swelling of the face and limbs due to problems with the kidneys. Excess fluid is not removed from the body. As a result, it begins to accumulate in the skin and fat layer. If the kidney system cannot function normally, then the patient's legs and face begin to swell first. Hands begin to suffer from the disease much later. The following ailments lead to edema:
Swelling of the legs and face can be observed when lymph stagnates in the vascular bed. This problem is often observed in women due to the peculiarities of the hormonal system. Stagnation of blood in the extremities can occur due to varicose veins. The disease is accompanied by slow destruction of valves and loss of elasticity of vascular walls. The face and hands swell very rarely with vascular pathologies. But with diabetes or atherosclerosis, this symptom may appear.
Edema in men and women can occur due to improper liver function. Fluid begins to accumulate in the body due to the fact that most of the protein begins to be washed out. The swelling spreads throughout the body and does not decrease over time. Diseases of the hepatobiliary system can be chronic and acquired. Alcoholics suffer from the last group of diseases when they begin to abuse alcohol. The liver cannot cope with toxic substances, so protein synthesis is disrupted and fluid begins to be retained. Ascites often occurs against the background of this pathology.
The endocrine system is responsible for the production of hormones. If it starts to work incorrectly, then a person may experience edema and other metabolic disorders. Pathologies of the endocrine system cause swelling of the torso and face. The limbs begin to swell as the disease progresses.
During pregnancy in the last trimester, many women experience swelling in the evening. This is due to the fact that due to the size of the baby, it is difficult for blood to return back to the heart. In addition, sometimes, due to the special position of the child, the woman’s organs are partially compressed. As a result, normal blood flow is disrupted. Another cause of edema is pelvic varicose veins. It occurs quite rarely in pregnant women, because... this disease is mostly hereditary in nature.
As we mentioned earlier, abuse of various seasonings and salty foods can cause swelling of the face and entire body. This also includes drinking plenty of fluids before bed. Thrombosis is often accompanied by swelling of the limb. This disease requires specialized medical care, so if you find it in yourself, do not try to get rid of the swelling yourself, but go straight to the hospital.
Injuries and muscle strains often cause fluid stagnation. In the absence of excessive pain, this condition does not require additional treatment. At very high ambient temperatures, the body tries with all its might to normalize body temperature. Therefore, fluid begins to linger in the legs.
A separate category should include people who wear uncomfortable shoes and clothes. The reason for the appearance of edema with such an attitude towards one’s body is hidden in the long-term physical impact on the veins. This is dangerous because the vessels begin to stretch. As a result, the patient develops varicose veins.
Methods for treating swelling are varied. The choice of a specific method of normalizing fluid flow in the body depends on what caused the appearance of this unpleasant syndrome. Patients are prescribed various medications that normalize the functioning of internal organs. In case of thrombosis and other pathologies of the body that are not amenable to non-invasive treatment, a referral for surgery is given.
The selection of medications is influenced by the initial cause of the fluid metabolism disorder. Kidney diseases are treated with drugs whose action is aimed at removing excess water from the body. Diuretics are prescribed only in this case and for heart problems. If everything is in order with the main muscle of the body and the urinary system, medications of this type are not prescribed. The following medications can be used to treat swelling:
There is no universal operation that will save the patient from swelling and return him to his former lightness in the body. In case of heart problems, bypass surgery is performed or an artificial valve is installed in the patient. If the patient experiences thrombosis, the blood clot is removed. In case of varicose veins, the affected vessels are eliminated. Before surgery, the patient always undergoes a full medical examination.
Traditional medicine used to treat swelling helps remove excess fluid from the body, but they will not cure the cause of the disease. For this reason, doctors do not recommend taking decoctions and infusions of herbs until an official diagnosis is made. Often, swelling is caused by pathologies of internal organs, which can be eliminated with medications or physiotherapeutic treatment. In such conditions, the use of traditional medicine can be harmful. The following herbal preparations are especially popular:
It is not necessary to drink any teas or infusions to improve the condition of swollen limbs and face. You can make a cabbage compress. First, the vegetable sheets should be beaten so that the juice comes out of them, and then applied to the swollen areas. Secure the compress with cling film. It should be kept on the body all night. Similarly, you can use a mixture of olive and camphor oils. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and then applied to the feet. First you need to bandage the limbs, and then fix the compress with cling film.
If you often experience swelling, you should change your diet a little. It is necessary to remove spicy, overly salty or sweet foods from the menu. Sodas and alcoholic drinks will also not help you overcome your body's tendency to store fluid. You are allowed to drink only clean water in small quantities. If you already have swelling, the following products will help you cope with it:
Swelling in the legs and face often appears due to a slower metabolism. Special exercises will help speed up metabolism, normalize blood flow, and help breakdown products leave the body faster. The cycling exercise can be repeated an unlimited number of times throughout the day. Patients can do so-called toe gymnastics, i.e. try to move objects with them or simply roll pencils.
It is recommended to perform the “Birch” exercise at least 2-3 times a day. If it is physically difficult for you to take this position or your shoulder girdle and cervical spine are not flexible enough, you can simply throw your legs up on a hill and lie there for 10-20 minutes. In general, when relaxing on a sofa or bed, try to stretch your legs, place them on a pillow or any other surface above the level of your heart. This will facilitate the flow of blood from your feet.
A healthy lifestyle will help prevent this unpleasant phenomenon. Always monitor the condition of your internal organs, eat fresh food rich in vitamins. It is especially important to monitor the water balance in the body. Swelling is often a consequence of insufficient water consumption, so drink 30 ml of liquid per 1 kg of weight per day.
Doctors recommend that people with a tendency to varicose veins and swelling wear compression garments. If the condition of the veins is relatively normal, knitwear with the first level of compression is suitable. If the patient has varicose veins, then the type of underwear and the strength of the effect are determined by the doctor. Foot massage helps a lot in the fight against swelling. You can use ice cubes or specialized oil for it. Baths with medicinal plants will help prevent the appearance of edema.
Many expectant mothers experience swelling in the second half of pregnancy. As a rule, the legs begin to swell, which requires a review of nutrition and drinking regimen. But in some women, the arms (hands, fingers), lower abdomen or lower back may also swell. Swelling of the hands during pregnancy can be a symptom of a dangerous complication, so if they appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. So why do your hands swell during pregnancy, what can this lead to and how to deal with this condition?
There are several reasons that contribute to the development of swelling of the hands during pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman's hormonal levels change. For normal pregnancy, the amount of the hormone progesterone in the mother’s body increases significantly. At the same time, this hormone tends to provoke fluid retention and accumulation in the body.
Another factor contributing to the occurrence of edema is an increase in the volume of circulating blood. This is due to the “transport” function of blood, due to which it provides the mother and fetus with oxygen and nutrients. Naturally, to fully ensure its volume must increase significantly. Swelling of the fingers during pregnancy, as well as swelling of the legs, are a consequence of this process.
All of the above causes of hand swelling are called physiological, and they do not pose a threat to the health of the mother and fetus. But there are also pathological causes of swelling of the hands during pregnancy. Most often, swelling of the hands is one of the first symptoms of gestosis (toxicosis of the second half of pregnancy). With this complication of pregnancy, fluid “leaks” from the blood vessels into the tissues of the body, which contributes to the appearance of edema. Preeclampsia is characterized by many unpleasant symptoms (nausea, vomiting) and requires medical monitoring of the condition of the expectant mother.
Swelling of the hands during pregnancy can be symptoms of another serious complication - nephropathy in pregnancy. With the development of this pathology, edema is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure. As a rule, as a result of nephropathy in pregnant women, blood flow in the placenta worsens; in severe cases, headaches, loss of consciousness, and convulsive attacks may develop. Nephropathy in pregnant women is an indication for hospitalization of the expectant mother and adequate treatment.
If a woman in an “interesting situation” has swelling, first of all, she should consult a doctor. After the examination, the doctor can refer the pregnant woman for the necessary examinations. If serious complications of pregnancy or illness are diagnosed, the attending physician will prescribe treatment and, if necessary, hospitalize the woman in a hospital.
But, fortunately, in most cases, edema does not pose a serious threat to the health of the mother and child, and is not a symptom of severe pregnancy complications. Therefore, to eliminate and prevent them, you can use simple recommendations.
The main method of combating swelling of the fingers during pregnancy is a special diet. It means, first of all, reducing salt in the diet. Table salt contains sodium, which has the property of retaining water in the body. It is necessary to minimize the consumption of pickles, herring, canned food, smoked meats, crackers, and chips. It is better to cook food without salt or under-salt.
In addition, a pregnant woman’s diet should reduce the amount of fatty, spicy, and sweet foods. Food needs to be cooked by boiling or steaming; you can also bake it in the oven. It is better to exclude fried foods from the menu altogether during pregnancy. If a woman develops edema, she is recommended to prepare dishes from vegetables that have a mild diuretic effect. Such vegetables include squash, zucchini, fresh cucumbers, Jerusalem artichoke, carrots, and watercress. Cherries, gooseberries, fresh grapes, mulberries, and apples also have a diuretic effect. You can drink no more than two cups of tea a day; you should avoid coffee. It is good for the expectant mother to drink freshly squeezed juices and still mineral water.
The volume of liquid you drink per day should be about 2.5 liters. Moreover, this amount includes all liquid, including in soups, fruits, and vegetables. It is useful to drink sweet juices, fruit drinks and tea with milk during this period.
To prevent hand swelling during pregnancy, experts recommend that women move a lot. This could be walks in the fresh air, special gymnastics for pregnant women, or swimming. In some cases, if edema develops in the expectant mother, the doctor may prescribe her medications that have a diuretic and anti-edematous effect. But such medications should only be selected by a doctor, since self-medication can cause great harm to the body of the mother and child.
Many expectant mothers successfully use traditional medicine to combat edema. In any case, before using medicinal herbs, you must consult your doctor. Some herbs have contraindications, including pregnancy. In addition, each pregnancy has its own characteristics. And those herbs that helped one pregnant woman can harm another woman.
Here are a few recipes for traditional treatment of hand swelling during pregnancy:
Fluid retention in soft tissues, including in the hands, causing them to swell or swell, can be explained by a number of reasons, in particular: cardiovascular diseases; kidney or liver diseases; diseases of endocrine organs; stagnation; poor diet, consuming large amounts of liquid, salt or sugar. Pregnancy can be a provoking factor for the appearance of edema in women. Treatment of hand swelling, which involves preventing the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, is carried out after a thorough examination and a clear diagnosis. An experienced osteopath can do this even without special equipment. Osteopathic treatment has virtually no contraindications and is therefore suitable for most patients.
Diagnosis by symptoms
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Swelling of the hands is the result of a fluid called interstitium that accumulates in the hands. Edema can be unilateral or bilateral, and can develop gradually or suddenly. With immobility, the swelling usually increases, and with exercise or raising your arms, it decreases. The following causes of hand swelling can be identified: allergic reactions, when hand swelling was caused by some allergen; disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system; with superior vena cava syndrome; with thrombophlebitis, rather painful swelling of the hands occurs; hand injuries can subsequently lead to swelling of the hands; burns; immunological diseases; intoxication that occurs as a result of an attack by a poisonous animal. In order to get rid of hand swelling, you should consult a doctor and follow all his instructions.
Question: Why do my hands swell?
Answer: In order to identify the source of the problem in each specific case, it takes time so that the doctor can prescribe the necessary studies and tests that will help determine what caused the problem in the body that led to swelling of the hands. A condition in which the hands swell can accompany a variety of processes in the body: from pregnancy to complex hormonal disorders, so you should not look for the answer to this complex question yourself, since the correct diagnosis is only within the competence of the doctor.
Question: Hello, I have a question - my mother is a bedridden patient, after a stroke. Yesterday I noticed swelling in her hands, especially on her left hand, it looks like an inflated glove. The amount of liquid did not change during this period of time. Tell me, what could be causing this and how can I relieve the swelling?
Answer: Call your local therapist! You need to take diuretics! Be sure to consult your doctor!
Question: I am 44 years old, yesterday my blood pressure was 120/80, and today it is 90/60 and my fingers are swollen, I work in a mine. Is this a heart? Could this be work related?
Answer: Swelling of the fingers most likely indicates the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the body. The cause of this phenomenon may be kidney disease or heart disease. Be sure to consult a general practitioner for examination (you need to do a urine test, ultrasound of internal organs, cardiogram).
Question: Good afternoon. The problem is this: the woman is 43 years old. Hands and feet swell. Moreover, the arms swell equally, and the right leg swells more. At the same time, a tingling sensation is felt in the hands. Over the past six months, she has gained from 7 to 10 kg (she quit smoking). Before gaining weight, my legs never swelled. Tell me, what is this connected with? Could this be related to quitting smoking? And what to do in such a situation? Thank you.
Answer: Such edema can be associated, first of all, with disturbances in the functioning of the heart, which could appear after the appearance of excess body weight. It is necessary to undergo an examination and examination by a therapist and a cardiologist (you will need to take a general blood and urine test, a biochemical blood test, and do an ECG), after receiving the examination results, the attending physician will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis (may require further examination) or an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment .
Question: I woke up in the morning with a swollen hand. A large swelling on the hand and a stretching red mark (like a burn from a nettle branch) - up to the elbow. And it all hurts a lot. And it’s somehow uncomfortable under the arm, although the lymph node does not seem to be inflamed. Why suddenly, where from - it’s not clear. What could it be and what should be done?
Answer: Go to the clinic to see the surgeon. This, according to the description, is clearly inflammation involving the lymphatic ducts and, most likely, regional lymph nodes. What preceded this the day before? Blow, bruise, scratch? Has your body temperature increased? This could be either cellulitis, an abscess, or inflammation of the joint (acute arthritis), which is unlikely based on such symptoms. Minimum - anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial therapy; maximum - surgical intervention.
Question: Hello. I am 37 years old. My question is this: three days ago I woke up with red, swollen palms and eyelids. I took suprastin - it didn’t help. By evening it got worse: my hands and feet were swollen - I called an ambulance. They gave an injection and took me to the hospital. The injection didn't help either. They put an IV in, but that didn’t help either. After spending the night in the hospital, by the middle of the next day I felt better - the swelling had subsided. And I asked to be discharged, since there were three children left at home. The doctor prescribed: cetrin, enterosgel and veroshpiron, and diagnosed: angioedema of the Quincke's edema type. But now, while taking all the medications and following all the nutritional recommendations, I began to experience pain in the muscles of the arms (below the elbows), palms, feet and knees. And periodically the face turns red (nasolabial triangle), red spots appear on the palms and soles. Tell me, what could it be? Is it all related or different? Maybe we need to call an ambulance again?
Answer: You need to visit an allergist. Continue the prescribed treatment.
The appearance of edema occurs in 80% of pregnant women. Almost everyone knows about this deviation during this period; this fact often frightens expectant mothers. As a rule, edema is not a sign of something bad and it can be noted that this is an absolutely normal condition, which is explained by a combination of processes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman.
Most often, edema begins to bother a woman no earlier than the third trimester. They increase as labor approaches. It is worth noting that they can be a companion to a disease such as gestosis - late toxicosis of pregnant women. This disease is fraught with some danger, so doctors closely monitor the increase in swelling in expectant mothers. You can diagnose edema at home, but this does not mean that you should stop coming to see a doctor and follow his instructions. Why do pregnant women's legs, arms and face swell? What to do about it?
The causes of edema in late pregnancy can be multifaceted and are in no way related to each other:
They are almost invisible and occur only in the ankle area. They arise due to the fact that the child increases in size and there is excessive pressure on the venous vessels by the growing uterus.
This physiology entails poor venous blood permeability, disruption of tissue trophism and, as a result, the appearance of excess fluid. If a woman leads a sedentary lifestyle and violates her diet, then along with swelling she begins to develop varicose veins . In other cases, swelling disappears after the birth of the child and leaves nothing but unpleasant memories.
These could be abnormalities in the functioning of any of the organs: liver, kidneys, heart. In this case, the disease can be pre-existing, chronic for a particular woman, or just acquired.
This condition is characterized by great danger to the health of the mother and her unborn child. In this case, the access of oxygen to the fetus, as well as all kinds of nutrients, is limited, and this in turn leads to a slowdown in the child’s development.
Women who have their first pregnancy after 35 years of age, as well as those who are carrying more than one child, have chronic diseases and bad habits are most at risk.
To prevent swelling from becoming an unpleasant surprise during pregnancy, it is necessary to identify it in time. The symptoms of swelling are not difficult to determine. This disease causes concern if the following questions are answered positively:
It is difficult for the listed symptoms to go unnoticed. Often, edema has its own strict sequence of development: initially, during pregnancy, edema appears on the legs, then on the arms, and eventually parts of the abdomen and face also swell. During pregnancy, you should not leave this issue to chance; you should immediately begin to reduce swelling under the supervision of a qualified doctor.
As noted above, swelling of the legs occurs first. This phenomenon becomes especially disturbing at the end of the day. All excess fluid formed in the body descends lower, it concentrates in the area of the legs and feet, which becomes more noticeable in the evening. At night, when a woman is in a lying position for a long time, fluid is redistributed throughout the body, so in the morning, as a rule, swelling will not be so obvious.
If this does not happen and in the morning the swelling also brings inconvenience, and swelling of other parts of the body is added to the swelling of the legs in pregnant women, then you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the reliable causes of this problem and prescribe treatment for the swelling.
If your legs swell during late pregnancy, it is recommended to follow a number of preventive measures. How to relieve swelling:
The situation begins to take a dangerous turn if swelling of the hands appears during pregnancy. It is easy to recognize when trying to put on or take off jewelry on your fingers. Other symptoms of edema in pregnant women include numbness, tingling and discomfort.
What to do if your hands begin to swell during pregnancy? Doctors strongly advise not to let the situation take its course.
If stagnant fluid rises up the body, it can lead to other problems with the body. You need to urgently seek help from a specialist if the upper half of your body begins to swell.
The most common cause of hand swelling is professional activity. It can manifest itself through repeated repetition of the same type of actions. This includes, for example, typing characters on a computer keyboard, knitting, and cross-stitching. Women who are faced with this problem are advised to give up this activity if possible or do hand massage and gymnastics from time to time.
Other reasons for the appearance of swelling of the fingers during late pregnancy include:
There are only two reasons that can cause swelling of the face:
1. There is a reduced content of proteins and salts in the blood compared to other tissues. Such blood is considered dehydrated because water begins to come out of it.
2. In the last weeks of pregnancy, the enlarged uterus compresses all the vessels and veins, which provokes the appearance of edema.
Facial swelling is the third stage of development of edema during pregnancy.
You can detect swelling of the face visually: the face becomes rounder, and if you press your fingers on its skin, a small indentation will remain in this place. To prevent this, doctors recommend following a diet, as well as undergoing a course of treatment for edema with medications.
This condition is considered completely normal and occurs in almost all pregnant women. Certain signs have even been invented related to facial swelling: for example, it is believed that if you frequently press your fingers on a swollen face, the child will be born with a birthmark in this place. Of course, this sign does not carry any evidence, but it is still not recommended to touch the face when it is in this state. There may be dirt on your hands that can get into your pores and even sometimes harm your baby.
Among all the others, there are cases when it is almost impossible to independently identify the appearance of edema. Such edema can accurately include hidden edema during pregnancy. One of the symptoms that will help you diagnose this type of edema yourself is to constantly monitor your weight gain . It is believed that in this case the change in mass occurs in uneven jumps.
You can also try to identify internal edema by observing the amount of fluid consumed and excreted. If there is too much difference, then we can safely talk about the presence of internal edema. Its symptoms do not appear in any way, but the lack of adequate treatment can lead to problems.
In a normal state, about 75% of the fluid that enters the body comes out with urine. In this case, for ease of calculation, it is assumed that one fruit or vegetable contains 50 ml of liquid.
If you listen to foreign doctors, then internal swelling in late pregnancy is a normal factor and does not require separate monitoring, much less treatment. Our doctors say exactly the opposite. These edemas themselves do not pose a threat, but there is a possibility that they accompany some disease. But everyone knows that the earlier a disease is diagnosed, the easier it is to get rid of it and the less harm it will cause. Women are especially advised to monitor this in the last month of pregnancy. There have been cases where internal swelling has caused placental abruption, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the baby.
In any case, if any swelling occurs, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor to find out the true cause of this phenomenon. It is also necessary to adhere to all recommendations of specialists and under no circumstances self-medicate or take diuretic medications, which is strictly prohibited if edema occurs in pregnant women!