Edema can be dangerous: the doctor called alarming symptoms and told about the test that should be done to everyone

Wake up with a puffy face and heavy eyelids? Or in the evening you notice that the rubber band from the socks leaves deep marks on the legs, and the ring is not removed from the finger? Many people attribute this to excess fluid, but in terms of physiology, the mechanisms of water retention are much more complex. Russian cosmetologist Valeria Profatylo told why there are swelling and what they can be dangerous, writes sb.by.

As Valeria Profatylo noted, edema is not just “excess water”:

- Their appearance is associated with a decrease in vascular elasticity, sodium retention in the body and stagnation of lymph. And trying to cope with them with the help of diuretics without prescribing a doctor is risky: such funds wash out potassium, can provoke arrhythmia and a sharp drop in pressure.

What are swelling and what is the reason

Evening swelling. "" By the end of the day, the legs get heavy, the shoes get tight, but by morning, everything goes away. This is a typical sign of venous and lymphatic insufficiency. With age, the venous valves weaken, and under the influence of gravity, the liquid part of the blood seeps into the tissue. And the lymph moves only due to the work of the muscles, so sedentary work or long standing provoke stagnation.

Morning swelling. We are not talking about a slight swelling after a sleepless night, but about noticeable swelling of the eyelids, fingers, stiffness in movements in the morning. Such edema can pass by noon, but their cause is the redistribution of fluid and sodium retention. For example, only 1 g of excess salt retains up to 100 ml of liquid in the tissues.

"Alarming" swelling. They do not pass in the morning or evening, and sometimes even increase from day to day. This is a reason to be wary: such edema can signal serious problems - up to heart or kidney failure.

How to recognize danger: a simple test

Valeria Profatylo said that you need to press your finger on the shin above the bone for 5 seconds, then let go and see how quickly the hole disappears:

The pit disappears in 2-3 seconds - most likely, this is temporary edema due to venous or lymphatic stagnation. You can work with it through movement, salt control, and daytime routine. The hole lasts more than 10-15 seconds - this is a possible sign of heart or kidney failure. In this case, it is necessary to consult a therapist.

What really helps with evening edema

Muscle pump. The calf muscles work like a “second heart,” helping to drive away blood and lymph. Walks, exercises for the feet during the day, special movements on the calf muscles are suitable.

• Lymphatic drainage rest. 15 minutes in the evening with elevated legs (above the level of the heart) significantly reduces swelling.

• Local support. Gels with troxerutin or heparin are applied from the bottom up - from the foot to the knee.

When you can not self-medicate n

Valeria Profatylo advised to urgently consult a doctor if swelling is accompanied by bloating of the venous nodes, pain or redness along the veins (a consultation with a phlebologist is needed). It is also necessary to consult a doctor if morning edema is repeated daily and combined with pressure jumps (it is worth checking the kidneys), the specialist added. In addition, Valeria Profatylo noted, you need to pay attention to the symptoms: shortness of breath (even when walking or lying down), frequent nocturnal urge to urinate (more than twice a night), weight gain by 1-2 kg in a couple of days, persistent fossa on the lower leg - all this requires immediate medical attention.

“Alarming” edema is often associated with high cholesterol and the formation of vascular plaques – because of this, the heart pumps blood worse and fluid accumulates in the tissues. If you are already taking drugs for the heart (for example, concor or bisoprolol) and at the same time noticed swelling, shortness of breath or frequent trips to the toilet at night, be sure to tell your doctor about this and record these symptoms in the observation diary along with blood pressure indicators, explained Valeria Profatylo.

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