Causes of puffiness: diseases that provoke fluid stagnation

The fluid in the body circulates according to its own rules. If stagnation occurs and it accumulates throughout the body or in one place – it is worth thinking about the causes of edema. Help in solving the problem will be provided by a doctor and laboratory tests. There are many circumstances that lead to improper circulation of fluid in the body. Edema during pregnancy is especially dangerous, the accumulation of fluid threatens not only the life of the mother, but also the child. Consider in the article the causes of swelling of the face and limbs, what is the norm and what is a deviation.

Causes of swelling of the face

One-time edema requiring lifestyle changes occurs:

• when drinking large amounts of liquid before bed. At night, the kidneys cannot remove all the liquid drunk in the evening, some of it accumulates in the tissues, swelling the face;
• when eating salty food in the evening – this will lead to the accumulation of fluid, salt retains moisture in the intercellular space;
• after partying and drinking alcohol, which provokes swelling;
• in the morning after sleeping upside down on a low pillow – according to the rules of gravity, the liquid simply cannot circulate properly.

Recommendations: drink properly throughout the day, do not overdo it with alcohol and salt, choose the right sleeping positions.

Edema that is alarming and a good reason to visit a doctor:

• swellings appear on the face every day, especially on the lower eyelids – a signal of malfunctioning of the kidneys;
• swelling accompanied by pain in the head or neck – it is quite possible that the matter is in violations of the functioning of the cervical spine (hernia, protrusion, osteochondrosis).

What to do: in the first case, you should go to a general practitioner or urologist for diagnosis (general urine and blood test, ultrasound) and treatment, and in the second case, a neurologist (MRI) will help.

Causes of swollen hands

Hands can swell in the second half of the menstrual cycle for hormonal reasons. Progesterone deficiency will definitely result in swelling of the arms, thighs, buttocks.

What to do: in some cases, such manifestations mean nothing, except for the physiological characteristics of your body, and in others – even such a change in the circulation of the fluid may indicate serious violations. When visiting a gynecologist, inform the doctor about the swelling of the hands and together with him find out the causes of swelling. Perhaps this is a signal of more serious deviations in the hormonal background.

In case of swelling of the hands and the appearance of nausea, belching, bloating – go to the doctor for a checkup. You most likely have liver problems. This organ rarely malfunctions and it is not so easy to detect violations, because the liver does not hurt, because it does not have nerve fibers.

A trio of symptoms: swelling of the hands and fingers, belching or heartburn, and nausea result in a signal of impaired liver function. And guaranteed signs of liver failure is the yellow color of the eye sclera and skin.

What to do: first visit a therapist, then a hematologist (if it turns out that the liver is really acting up). The specialist already prescribes specific tests and appropriate treatment.

Causes of swollen legs

Circumstances in which swelling of the lower extremities is not the reason for a visit to the doctor:

• heat outside – the body reacts to high air temperature with fluid accumulation "just in case";
• a long time spent on heels will definitely end in swelling of the legs – vessels cannot quickly remove fluid. The same can happen after running long distances without the habit – simply put, the legs are tired and swelling is the result of a lack of training of blood vessels and capillaries;
• pregnancy – the time when swelling of the legs is very common, especially when the period is long and it is hot outside. But, if the swelling is strong and does not go away after rest, go for a consultation with a gynecologist, it is quite possible that the kidneys are not working well.

What to do: the above causes of swelling do not require urgent medical intervention (except in the case of pregnancy). Lie down and put a folded blanket under your feet so they are above your head, or put your feet up against a wall. After some time, it will become easier and the liquid will gradually go away. You can also go to the bathroom and do a contrast shower on your legs, alternating warm and cool water (not cold and not hot).

Read also: Asanas for beautiful legs: how to relieve puffiness

Signs of swollen legs that should see a doctor:

• if your ankles are constantly swollen for no reason – signal of heart problems. In this case, edema is accompanied by a blue skin, pain behind the chest, heart rhythm disturbance, shortness of breath;
• if the lower legs or feet swell after a slight load, and besides, cramps appear and bluish or bluish veins are visible – signs of varicose veins.

What to do: in the first case with heart problems – go to an appointment with a therapist and take general urine and blood tests, do an ECG and echocardiography. Also visit a cardiologist,  for a complete diagnosis. In the second case, a surgeon or phlebologist will help with venous expansion of the veins, as well as dopplerography will clarify the situation.

What you should not do with edema is to immediately drink diuretics without finding out the cause of the edema. This is not just undesirable, it is fraught with a deterioration in well-being and translates the disease into a neglected form.  The causes of puffiness must be found out immediately and be guided by the advice of specialists for taking any medications.