Diuretics: what are they?
Diuretics are medications that speed up the formation of urine and its elimination from the body.
Such drugs are prescribed primarily to combat tissue swelling due to diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys and liver, as well as to treat severe pathological conditions that require rapid fluid reduction.
All diuretics differ in the mechanism of their diuretic effect. The pharmacological property of the drugs is their effect on the epithelium of the renal tubules, where urine formation occurs.
In addition, some medications affect certain enzymes and hormonal substances that are responsible for normal kidney function.
Causes of facial swelling
If your face swells not only in the morning, but throughout the day, then you should take a closer look at your lifestyle and change it. It is worth visiting a specialist to avoid complications. After all, not only an incorrect daily routine can lead to swelling on the face, but also quite dangerous diseases. Swelling occurs when fluid is retained in the body.
Why does slight swelling appear on the face? The reasons may be as follows:
- in case of shortness of breath, in addition to swelling, this may indicate that the heart is not working properly;
- in the case of bluish color of the skin, blood circulation or the functioning of the vascular system may be impaired;
- the body does not receive enough vitamins and minerals. As a result, the functioning of various systems is disrupted;
- a person does not eat properly - he eats on the road, goes on diets, eats on dry food;
- Insomnia and lack of sleep are noted. Everyone knows that a person should sleep about 6-8 hours a day, then he will be able to work normally and maintain his own health;
- the man is overtired at work. Perhaps he worked without breaks;
- Before going to bed, he eats heavily, and this adds some heaviness to the body. Then it is more difficult to fall asleep and get enough sleep;
- swelling of the face under the eyes occurs if a person is diagnosed with kidney failure. This swelling goes away within a day. Usually, with this disease, a person quickly gets tired and urination is impaired;
- There may be swelling on the face in the morning if the patient has heart failure. The fluid flows out worse because the heart muscle cannot cope with pumping blood;
- swelling may occur as a result of allergies. In just a few seconds, the tongue, larynx, and face swell. This happens often in the case of wasp stings.
Indications for diuretics
The main indications for taking diuretics are the following conditions:
- Elimination of swelling of cells and tissues as a result of varying degrees of heart failure and vascular diseases.
- Kidney pathologies.
- Normalization of high blood pressure.
- Removal of toxic and other harmful substances from the body due to poisoning.
- Ascites.
- Liver cirrhosis.
- Glaucoma.
- Osteoporosis.
Edema is the main symptom of pathological conditions of the heart, blood vessels and dysfunction of the excretory system. Fluid accumulation is associated with retention of high amounts of sodium. The mechanism of action of diuretics is precisely that it removes sodium from the body, thereby eliminating swelling.
At high blood pressure levels, increased sodium content negatively affects the tone of blood vessels, leading to their narrowing. Therefore, taking diuretics removes this element from the body, increasing the lumen of blood vessels and normalizing blood pressure.
Due to poisoning, a certain amount of toxins and harmful compounds is reduced during kidney function. However, in order to speed up their elimination, patients are necessarily prescribed diuretics. First, patients are given an intravenous infusion of medicinal solutions, and then diuretics are administered, which, together with the liquid, eliminate toxic substances from the body.
Will diuretics remove swelling under the eyes?
Diuretic or diuretic drugs increase urine formation and thereby promote the rapid removal of excess moisture from the body. Therefore, sometimes their use for edema may be advisable. But such drugs have a number of side effects. Therefore, in which cases it is permissible to use diuretics, and in which it is better to choose other methods of treatment, a specialist should determine, focusing on the patient’s condition and the cause of the edema. As a rule, diuretics are prescribed for the following indications:
- severe swelling that persists for more than one day and progresses;
- spread of swelling to the face, in particular the cheeks;
- darkening of the skin in the edematous area;
- narrowing of the palpebral fissure (a dangerous symptom that can cause displacement of the eye).
It should be noted that the cause of such symptoms is most often pathological, which means it is not enough to remove excess moisture from the body. It is necessary to begin therapy aimed at combating the underlying disease. Thus, diuretics can only be effective as part of complex treatment.
Contraindications of drugs
The use of diuretics is not always advisable. There are certain conditions that prohibit the use of this type of medicine. These include:
- Low potassium levels in the blood.
- Individual intolerance to sulfonamide substances.
- Severe form of respiratory failure.
- Acute kidney diseases.
- Any type of diabetes.
An implicit contraindication to taking diuretics is ventricular arrhythmia. This clinical condition requires adjustment of the therapeutic dose and strict medical supervision.
ESSENCE, FEATURES, TYPES OF SYNDROME
So, the face swells in different ways and under the influence of various factors. The conditional classification divides edema according to 4 characteristics.
- Duration of manifestation of the syndrome (congestive and short-term swelling of the face).
- Cause/factor of provocation. Swelling can be allergic, post-traumatic, inflammatory, pathological. In the latter case, edema associated with venous dysfunction and gastrointestinal/heart/blood/kidney diseases are identified.
- The essence of the process of edema formation. The syndrome is divided into a group of hypooncotic manifestations and those not associated with changes in oncotic pressure (the mechanism of moisture retention and binding).
- Spreading. Localized swelling (most often manifested in the paraorbital part of the face, nasolabial region) and diffuse (over the entire face).
Separately, it should be said about the most dangerous type of edema - the so-called giant urticaria/dropsy or Quincke's edema. It can develop against the background of a stressful situation, allergies, vitamin starvation, or poisoning. It leaves no room for independent action - the face swells very quickly, accompanied by simultaneous “swelling” of the mucous membranes (including in the larynx).
Clinical picture of facial swelling
Swelling of the face appears in 90%+ of cases in the mornings and evenings (with the exception of swelling after injury). They spread quickly and are felt immediately. With a cardiac background may be accompanied by:
- pale/blue face;
- shortness of breath;
- compression of the sternum.
With problem kidneys, swelling is accompanied by pain in the back, acute thirst with simultaneous urinary retention. During hypooncotic edema, a clinical picture of hypertension may be observed - dizziness, weakness, nausea.
With Quincke's edema, the "swelling" is gradual: lips - bridge of the nose - eyelids. Tremor, muscle weakness, and autonomic symptom complex may be present.
Diuretic tablets for edema
To combat swelling, the most effective drugs are:
- Lasix is a loop diuretic that prevents sodium and chlorine retention.
- Britomar is available in the form of tablets for oral administration. Has long-term therapeutic activity.
- Diuver is a loop diuretic medicine. Often prescribed for heart failure and severe edema.
All medications have contraindications, so they must be taken as prescribed by a specialist.
Common causes of swelling in the eye area
The tissue around the eyes is loose in structure and contains a lot of fatty tissue, which easily retains moisture. Therefore, if the fluid balance is disturbed, swelling in this area appears quite quickly. Swelling may be caused by one of the following reasons:
- abuse of salty foods;
- consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- inflammatory process due to eye disease;
- allergic reaction;
- eye fatigue;
- kidney diseases, diseases of the genitourinary system;
- tumors;
- eyelid deformities;
- eye injuries;
- lymph stagnation.
If the swelling is not caused by disease or inflammation, then drug treatment is usually not required. With a pathological cause of swelling under the eyes, it can persist for a long time, increasing in size. In such situations, diuretics and other medications may be needed. But using them without a doctor’s prescription is strictly contraindicated; first you need to accurately diagnose the cause.
Diuretic pills for weight loss
Taking diuretics has a positive effect on weight loss. This is due to a decrease in excess fluid in the body, acceleration of metabolism and a decrease in appetite. However, you should take medications carefully to avoid side effects. Therefore, you should consult your doctor first.
List of effective diuretics for weight loss:
- Furosemide.
- Hypothiazide.
- Veroshpiron.
- Phytonephrol.
- Phytolysin.
HOW WILL A SPECIALIST HELP?
You can eliminate facial swelling on your own, but only if it is non-pathological in nature. Treating swelling when it indicates serious damage to internal systems and mechanisms is risky. In case of Quincke's edema (very rapid increase), the only salvation is immediate hospitalization (an injection of adrenaline is possible to avoid suffocation).
In other cases, general steps to get rid of it:
- salt-free diet (salt retains moisture, which must be urgently removed from the intercellular space);
- control of water consumption;
- diuretics of different nature (depending on the provoking pathology);
- facial massage and special gymnastics;
- therapy of the underlying disease.
There are cosmetic techniques that help cope with age-related swelling. Among them are lifting (mialifting), mesotherapy, darsonvalization, and mask care.
Where do bags under the eyes come from?
Before you run to the pharmacy for pills and ointments for bags under the eyes, you need to understand why they appeared. The unsightly appearance in the morning or around the clock is caused by either puffiness or the growth of fatty tissue under the lower eyelids. And if the structural features depend on a hereditary factor, then the causes of edema are different, including serious problems that require urgent treatment. These include eye diseases, infectious diseases, endocrine diseases, and oncological diseases.
And most often, problems with the kidneys or heart function and vascular spasms caused by migraines. But even a healthy body may not be able to cope with the removal of excess moisture in one of the following cases:
- disturbance of sleep and rest patterns, stress;
- abuse of fatty and salty foods;
- imbalance and lack of microelements in the diet;
- smoking, drinking alcohol;
- improper care of the area around the eyes;
- low-quality cosmetics;
- prolonged eye strain;
- age-related weakening of the skin;
- negative influences of the external environment.
Prolonged and intense sobs can ruin the appearance of the hostess for a long time. Just like the love of sleeping face down on a pillow. All these factors lead to a decrease in nutrition and oxygen enrichment, and the skin under the eyes is already the most sensitive and vulnerable.
Often, limiting fluid intake 2 hours before bedtime is enough to avoid swelling in the eye area.