Poor health or illness is often accompanied by edema, and this manifestation itself indicates certain problems in the body. Indeed, in essence, edema is a swelling of tissues as a result of a pathological increase in the volume of interstitial fluid. Edema fluid is formed, as a rule, from blood plasma and accumulates during increased transition of fluid from the vascular bed into the interstitial space (in some cases into anatomical cavities). Liquid makes up about 3/5 of the total mass of the human body. About 70% of it is in cells and 30% is extracellular.
Between the cellular and extracellular fluids there is a constant exchange of electrolytes and metabolic products: amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, carbohydrates and proteins. At the same time, the volume, composition and location of the liquid components of the body are unchanged - these are constant values. Extracellular fluid is divided into blood plasma, which transports metabolic products to the places of their consumption and excretion, and fluid located in the intercellular spaces. Through the latter, metabolic products enter the cells from the blood and are delivered from the cells to the excretory organs. Excessive accumulation of fluid in the intermediate space leads to the formation of edema.
It is customary to distinguish between general and local edema. General edema develops in diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Local swelling - with diseases of the veins, lymphatic vessels, and allergic inflammation. Local edema is associated with a specific organ or area of the vascular bed and is easily distinguishable from general (generalized) edema. Isolated limb edema is usually associated with venous or lymphatic insufficiency (deep vein thrombosis, primary lymphedema, obstruction of outflow due to tumor growth). With paralysis of the lower extremities, edema can also develop as a result of stagnant processes.
Allergic reactions (angioedema) and obstruction (blockage) of the superior vena cava cause local swelling of the face. Bilateral edema of the lower extremities can also have local causes, for example, narrowing of the inferior vena cava when it is compressed as a result of some pathological process or tumor in the abdominal cavity. General edema is swelling of tissues in most parts or throughout the body. Noticeable general edema in an adult means the accumulation of three or more liters of fluid in the body, most often as a result of retention of salt and water by the kidneys.
The distribution of edema among tissues depends on the cause of its origin. Fluid during general edema is distributed in accordance with the laws of gravity. Thus, in patients with heart failure who are in a semi-sitting position, edema appears first in the lower extremities and the lumbosacral region. If the patient can lie freely in a horizontal position, swelling occurs primarily on the face and hands. It is easy to diagnose only local edema. Clinical research methods make it possible in most cases to identify the cause of their occurrence.
The mechanisms of the formation of general edema are complex. Their diagnosis is based on identifying connections with diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. And correct assessment of the driving mechanism is critical for the choice of treatment methods. Most often you have to deal with edema caused by heart disease, which is usually referred to as “heart failure” - 2nd or 3rd degree. Swelling associated with kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome) and liver is much less common.
In recent years, edema has occurred that appears as a result of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and in people suffering from insufficient protein content in food. The accumulation of fluid in the body is explained by the fact that the kidneys excrete it in smaller quantities. The formation and distribution of intercellular and tissue fluids may also be disrupted as a result of increased pressure in the capillaries. The dependence of the formation of edema on the height of venous pressure is clearly visible in patients with mitral stenosis and left ventricular failure - their edema occurs primarily in the pulmonary circulation.
Hydrostatic blood pressure in individual organs is not the same. For example, the average blood pressure in the pulmonary capillaries usually does not exceed 10 mmHg. Art., and in the capillaries of the renal glomerulus is approximately 75 mm Hg. Art. Even in a single organ, such as a lower limb, capillary pressure varies depending on the position of the person. This explains the appearance of more or less pronounced swelling of the legs in the evening in people who spend the working day standing.
Morning swelling under the eyes is explained by the combined effect of very low interstitial pressure in these areas with a temporary increase in capillary pressure due to prolonged night time in a horizontal position. The formation of edema is also observed when the osmotic pressure of the blood plasma decreases (below 20 mm Hg). Since this pressure is created mainly by albumin, a reduced level of albumin in the blood is often accompanied by the formation of edema.
Swelling during pregnancy is a very common occurrence. The mechanism of edema during pregnancy is associated with changes in water-salt metabolism, as well as as a result of impaired outflow of blood and lymph through the veins of the legs and changes in the blood and vascular wall. You can determine for yourself whether there is swelling during pregnancy: press your finger on the skin, if the skin quickly evens out, then everything is fine, but if there is a hole left, then most likely it is swelling. There are 4 stages of development of edema during pregnancy:
If only your legs (feet and ankles) are swollen, this is natural. Usually, a lack of fluid and constant thirst occurs due to the increased need of the body. They appear in the evening and go away on their own by morning. However, if swelling of the fingers occurs (the woman notes that she cannot wear a ring), swelling on the legs becomes permanent (shoes become tight), and swelling of the face is observed, then such swelling can be a symptom of a very serious complication of pregnancy - gestosis (late toxicosis). The appearance of edema from 20 weeks, of course, should alert the pregnant woman and her doctor. Such a woman needs to be examined to determine the cause of the edema, but it should be remembered that not all edema observed during pregnancy is associated with gestosis. Edema in late pregnancy can also occur due to impaired outflow of urine due to compression of the ureters by the enlarged uterus.
Treatment of edema during pregnancy is usually prescribed depending on the results of the examination. If left untreated, swelling can spread throughout the body. Edema may be hidden. To diagnose them, regular weighing, blood pressure measurement, and urine analysis are used. The absence of visible swelling does not always indicate well-being. There are so-called hidden edemas. To diagnose hidden edema, the patient is weighed regularly. The presence of hidden edema is indicated by a weight gain of more than 300-400 grams. per week, which has nothing to do with the amount of food consumed. Timely measures taken can prevent further development of edema.
To prevent the appearance of edema during pregnancy or at least reduce it, you need to follow the following recommendations. For mild edema, treatment can be carried out on an outpatient basis. A dairy-vegetable diet is recommended for pregnant women. Limit your intake of table salt (to 1-1.5 grams per day); in especially severe cases, switch to a salt-free diet. Do not abuse sweet and carbonated drinks, which inhibit the removal of fluid from the body. Do not reduce your water intake, as this may have the opposite effect. When you reduce fluid intake, the body will try to retain it, and swelling will increase accordingly. Drink at least 1.5 liters 2.0 liters of fluid. (including soup, cereals, juices, compotes).
However, we must remember that the amount of urine excreted should be 50% - 80% of what was drunk. Avoid situations that require you to stand or sit for long periods of time. Try to raise your legs to the top as often as possible. Try to stay in a hot place as little as possible. Use kidney tea and other herbal infusions only as prescribed by a doctor. If swelling occurs during pregnancy, you should definitely consult a doctor. He will establish the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon and help cope with it.
Swelling in a child is an alarming symptom that requires consultation with a specialist. The first thing you need to pay attention to when edema appears in a small child is the condition of the kidneys. An important diagnostic sign is the establishment of fluid retention. This can be determined by measuring the amount of fluid consumed and excreted or by measuring weight. You should know how much liquid a child should drink according to age. If your urine is cloudy or foul-smelling, you should immediately consult a doctor.
In case of fluid retention, acute or chronic heart failure, disruption of the hormonal system, renal, hepatic, lymphatic or venous insufficiency are assumed. In the case of nephrotic syndrome, edema develops gradually. Most often, parents pay attention to a sudden weight gain in their baby. Swelling may be noticeable around the eyes - so-called “bags under the eyes” appear; then the swelling progresses, affecting new areas of the body. With diseases of the heart and blood vessels, swelling of the legs and general edema develop. The child experiences shortness of breath, wheezing in the lungs, and rapid pulse. If any of the listed symptoms are detected in a child, you should immediately consult a doctor.
However, edema in a child may be associated with other reasons:
Local swelling often develops around the eyes. They can form after strong crying, allergies, conjunctivitis. Facial swelling is most often caused by allergic reactions to cosmetics, food, and medications. Experts associate the formation of bags under the eyes in children with several reasons:
Parents should remember that the child should sleep a lot and spend as much time outdoors as possible. You should not strictly adhere to the eight-hour sleep norm; your baby may need to sleep 10 or even 12 hours. All children are ready to exchange healthy porridge for sweets. Be careful, your baby needs to be fed properly. Food should be varied and contain vitamins. Many parents note that in the summer, when children walk a lot, the circles under the eyes disappear, since the child sleeps enough, walks a lot, moves, eats a lot of vegetables, fruits and berries.
Symptoms of edema depend on the amount of swelling and the part of the body affected. Swelling in a small area with infection or inflammation (such as from a mosquito bite) may not cause any symptoms at all. On the other hand, major local allergic reactions (eg, from a bee sting) can cause swelling affecting the entire upper limb, or other areas depending on the location of the lesion. In this case, the symptoms will be: tense skin, pain and limited mobility. Food allergies can lead to a swollen tongue or swelling of the throat, which can be life-threatening due to the risk of blocking the airway.
Swelling of the legs of any origin can lead to an increase in the size of the limb and, as a result, difficulty walking. (An example is heart disease, in which the legs can swell very much, increase in size, thereby making it difficult for a person to move). Severe swelling of the legs can lead to pinching of blood vessels and, as a consequence, the occurrence of a trophic ulcer. Pulmonary edema leads to difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, which can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood. In some cases, pulmonary edema may cause a cough with foamy sputum.
It is best to deal with puffiness in a comprehensive manner: a healthy diet + more than 1 liter of clean water per day + 8 hours of restful sleep + periodic medical examination, so as not to miss minimal disturbances in the body. But this is ideal, but in practice it happens that even a few sleepless nights will do their dark work - swelling of the eyelids will appear... How to relieve swelling of the face and legs - read on.
Grate a small piece of parsley root. Add strong tea leaves to it. The ingredients should be in equal proportions (for example, 1 tbsp.). Stir well and apply to the area under the eyes for 15-20 minutes. You can also use parsley without any additives.
An ice massage will quickly relieve puffiness under the eyes and even remove puffiness from the entire face. In addition, the skin will become toned. To do this, you need to prepare a decoction of herbs - chamomile, linden, green tea, sage, mint, St. John's wort, etc. Cool and pour into molds. Use as needed, preferably every morning, then the effect will be more pronounced and lasting.
Grate raw potatoes on a fine grater and apply the mixture to the face, including the lower eyelid area. Wash off after 20 minutes. Potato juice is equally effective. Just soak a gauze pad in it and apply it to your face for 15-20 minutes.
An ice bath can improve blood circulation in the legs, but not everyone can withstand cold water. You can make a one-component decoction from the herbs of chamomile, rush, mint, linden, and oak bark. Cool it to room temperature and lower the legs for 15-30 minutes. Herbs can be replaced with sea salt.
An ancient but effective remedy is birch leaves. Rinse them thoroughly and dry them. Place your feet in fabric bags (easy to sew yourself) and fill them with leaves. It is better to do the procedure at night, as it will take you about 5 hours to get the effect.
You can resort to the help of traditional medicine and brew special herbal infusions that promote the outflow of excess fluid. Take equal parts of bearberry leaves, birch buds, lingonberry leaves, crushed juniper fruits. Pour boiling water over one tablespoon of this mixture and keep on low heat for 15 minutes. Then cool the broth, strain and consume 2 tablespoons 5-6 times a day. In the fight against edema, you can use dandelion leaves, which are not only an excellent diuretic, but are also so rich in potassium that they perfectly compensate for its reserves in the body. This way, you can immediately solve two problems: reduce the intensity of swelling and maintain potassium levels. Dandelion leaf tea should be drunk three times a day, one glass at a time.
These herbs can also be used to solve the problem of kidney edema, which can appear not only on the legs, but also on the face, under the eyes. This type of edema often signals problems with the kidneys, which are caused by past infectious diseases, or a disruption in their functioning. In this situation, constant monitoring of the condition of the kidneys is very important, so patients with this pathology must often undergo a general urine test and a biochemical blood test.
Some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, arthritis, and osteochondrosis can cause peripheral edema. In this case, you should stop taking the medications and consult a doctor. Any type of edema must be treated with due attention, since quite often they are the first signals of the onset of the disease and can help in its early diagnosis.
Question: During my second pregnancy, I began to swell a lot, the swelling still exists now, 3 years later. Tests show that everything is fine with the kidneys. They said that the swelling was most likely related to the blood vessels, because not only the legs, but also the arms swelled. I am 37 years old, I am not currently taking any medications, I took Duphaston during pregnancy.
Question: Hello. I am 23. I swell very much, and not in certain areas of the body, but in my entire body. I practically don’t go to the toilet, all the fluid goes into the body. I was checked by a doctor, had many tests, had an ultrasound of my kidneys and abdominal cavity, and everything was fine with me. The swelling is accompanied by dizziness, nausea, even loss of consciousness (especially at night). At the same time, I gain a lot of weight up to 5 kg a day, especially when I am in an upright position. I noticed that all this intensifies before my period. I talked to me on the doctors forum They said that you may have idiopathic edema syndrome. Is this true? What it is? The cause of this syndrome? Is it possible to completely cure it? What tests should I take and for what purpose to confirm this diagnosis? And how long will it take to cure this? Please answer all the questions if you can, this is very important to me!
Question: Good afternoon! Now I’m 37-38 weeks pregnant, I’ve had uterine hypertonicity throughout my pregnancy, since 22 weeks I’ve been taking ginipral 2t/day (now I’m reducing it to 0.5) and there’s pronounced swelling in the legs, abdomen, and arms. Blood and urine tests are normal. IV magnesium 20 ml inf. helped, but some doctors began to worry about uterine hypotension during childbirth. Eufillin - fetal steal syndrome. Orthosiphon and canephron do not help. Isn’t it better to take Triampur (after all, it’s prescribed for babies!), there are no contraindications in the 3rd trimester - why isn’t it prescribed? Is it advisable to take Triampur? How will it affect the baby?
Question: Hello! My son is 4 years old, he has bags under his eyes very often, his urine test is normal. What could it be? Thank you.