From ice packs to injections: treatments and remedies for facial swelling

Diuretics (or diuretics) can act on the kidneys and affect urine output. Medicines inhibit the reabsorption of electrolytes, and an increase in their amount provokes the release of fluid. Diuretics are available in different forms, including ampoules.

Diuretic injections should be done carefully and only as recommended by doctors.

The main types of effects of diuretics on the human body:

• decreased blood pressure;
• removal of excess fluid.

Diuretics also have antiepileptic, cardioprotective and antispasmodic effects.

A diuretic retains sodium in the body and removes excess fluid. As a result of this process, low blood pressure lasts for a long time. In addition, diuretics wash away calcium but retain magnesium, which reduces the load on the heart. Thanks to these processes, microcirculation in the kidneys improves and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and kidney complications is reduced.

In addition, the effect of a diuretic on the body lowers intraocular and intracranial pressure. The speed of neurons slows down. This is how the drug has an antiepileptic effect.

Some diuretics have a beneficial effect on the heart and kidneys, acting as a protector for the organs for some time. Other drugs can relax muscles, creating an antispasmodic effect.

For many centuries, people have consumed various plant substances for a diuretic effect and cleansing the body. In this way they fought swelling, shortness of breath, high blood pressure, and food poisoning.

Centuries later, healing plants replaced diuretics, which remove toxic and harmful substances to the body along with urine. Of course, the effect of diuretics is much stronger and they have successfully taken their place in medicine.

Today, diuretics are used in the treatment of hypertension, swelling of internal organs and extremities (elephantiasis), tumors, unstable kidney function, and also for weight loss.

Any diuretic is used to regulate water balance in the body and stabilize the composition of the fluid. It increases urine excretion. During the action of the diuretic in the renal canals, the activity of sodium reabsorption decreases. It should be remembered that with prolonged use in the body, the amount of useful components such as chlorine, magnesium and calcium decreases. This adversely affects the patient's health.

The market offers not only diuretics made on the basis of chemicals, but also herbal preparations actively used in folk medicine (tea mixtures that help remove excess fluid).

Many people who want to lose weight actively take weight loss teas that have a diuretic effect. But without knowing how such products work, you can greatly harm the body. Therefore, even such a practice should be started only after consultation with a specialist.

This is especially true for diuretic injections. Some patients decide to undergo self-injections, using them, for example, as a remedy for swelling of the legs. Some injections are given into a vein, which is very dangerous at home. Therefore, it is better to entrust both intramuscular and intravenous injections to medical staff.

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Why does macular edema develop?

Macular edema of the retina is not classified as a separate nosology, but is a symptom that occurs with the following eye diseases:

• Thrombosis of the central retinal vein and its branches.
• Diabetic retinopathy as an ocular complication of diabetes mellitus.
• Consequences of ophthalmological operations (in particular, after complicated cataract removal).
• Inflammation of the choroid (uveitis).
• Post-traumatic changes due to injury and blunt trauma to the organ of vision.
• Retinal disinsertion.
• Benign and malignant intraocular neoplasms.
• Glaucoma.
• Exposure to toxic substances.

In addition, swelling of the macular region of the retina can occur with various non-ophthalmological diseases: infectious diseases (HIV, toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis); atherosclerosis; rheumatism; kidney pathology; arterial hypertension; brain diseases (meningitis, head injuries); blood diseases; allergic reactions.

The formation of macular edema has various mechanisms, which depend on the underlying cause of the disease.

Diabetic macular edema develops as a result of damage to the vessels of the retina, which causes changes in capillary permeability, sweating and fluid stagnation in the macular area.

When the central retinal vein is occluded, cystoid macular edema develops due to impaired venous outflow, as a result of which fluid penetrates into the perivascular region and accumulates in the central zone of the retina.

With post-traumatic and inflammatory lesions of the retina, vitreoretinal adhesions occur (connective tissue membranes connecting the vitreous body to the retina). As a result, the vitreous body exerts a tractional (pulling) effect on the retina, thus causing macular edema and sometimes retinal detachment or rupture.

The mechanism of postoperative macular edema (Irvine-Gass syndrome) is not fully understood. Most likely, it is also caused by the formation of vitreomacular tractions. Of all eye surgeries, macular edema most often occurs after cataract removal. According to statistics, extracapsular extraction surgery is more often complicated by macular edema (in 6.7% of cases) compared to phacoemulsification surgery.

Diuretics - a group of diuretic drugs

Self-medication and uncontrolled use of diuretics for swelling of the face is unacceptable because too much fluid can be removed from the body, along with which such important substances as calcium and potassium are removed. Medicines can overactivate the kidneys and negatively affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system. They should be taken with great caution by diabetics, hypertensive patients, and pregnant women.

The functioning of the epithelium of the renal tubules is influenced by medications known as diuretics. These medications are part of the main group of diuretics. Over the past years, the following methods have been used:

• Metolazone;
• Klopamide;
• Furosemide;
• Hyporthiazide.

But their long-term use leads to dehydration of the body and the removal of microelements from it. Potassium-sparing drugs are more modern, but their anti-edematous effect is not as effective. This group includes:

• Veroshpiron;
• Aldactone;
• Amiloride;
• Triamterene;
• Triamour.

Canephron N was created on a plant basis, which includes: lovage, rosemary, centaury. The drug is even used in the treatment of infants. Its disadvantage is the possibility of allergies to herbs.

Symptoms of macular edema of the retina

The clinical picture of macular edema is caused by the accumulation of fluid directly in the layers of the macula, which causes the following visual impairments:

• unclear, blurry image mainly in the central visual area;
• the effect of visual deformation of straight lines;
• in some cases the image may acquire a pinkish color;
• increased photosensitivity, painful perception of bright light, up to the formation of photophobia;
• in some cases, a circadian pattern of deterioration in visual acuity is observed (cyclically, depending on the time of day).

With an uncomplicated course of macular edema of the eye, absolute loss of vision most often does not occur, but vision is restored quite slowly - from two months to a year. Chronic macular edema, which persists for more than 6 months, is characterized by irreversible damage to the visual receptors of the retina, followed by their replacement by fibrous tissue and an irreversible decrease in central vision. This proves the relevance of early diagnosis verification and the need for full treatment of this pathology.

Classification of macular edema

Depending on the cause that caused the swelling of the macular zone, the pathogenesis of development and clinical manifestations, the following types of macular edema of the retina are distinguished:

What to do?

The use of diuretics helps get rid of puffiness under the eyes. This approach not only removes excess fluid from the body, but also helps reduce blood pressure. However, it should be remembered that the use of diuretics deprives the human body of minerals. Therefore, as with the use of any other drugs, consultation with a specialist is recommended if the cause of edema lies in acute or chronic disorders of the functioning of organs and systems.

Diuretics can be medicinal or of natural origin. The use of diuretics is justified in cases where the cause of excess fluid is nutritional imbalance or violation of the following regimen:

• regular lack of sleep;
• drinking plenty of fluids before bed;
• busy work schedule;
• immoderation when drinking alcohol.

In all other cases, it is better to avoid self-medication with diuretics.

Diabetic macular edema

Diabetic macular edema is swelling that forms as a result of the complicated course of diabetes mellitus and the development of diabetic retinopathy, and depending on the area of ​​the lesion, two forms are distinguished:

• Focal - edema does not extend to the macular zone and occupies an area of ​​less than 2 diameters of the optic nerve head (OND).
• Diffuse occupies more than two diameters of the optic disc and involves the central region of the retina. Such macular edema has a more unfavorable course, since it causes degenerative processes with the subsequent development of retinal dystrophy, persistent and significant impairment of visual function.

Diabetic macular edema develops as a result of long-term diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic retinopathy. The mechanism of its formation is the damage to small vessels of the retina, the production of endothelial growth factors. The permeability of the capillaries is impaired, and part of the plasma penetrates from the vascular bed into the retina, thus causing macular edema. In focal edema, the development of microaneurysms of retinal vessels plays a major role. With diffuse diabetic macular edema, the entire capillary network of the retina is damaged, capillaries dilate, the vascular wall thins, and the permeability of blood vessels is impaired. Persistent hyperglycemia, if not adequately corrected, causes thickening and damage to the capillary membrane and the release of free radicals. As a result, this leads to irreversible changes, including the death of photoreceptors. The presence and degree of macular edema depends on the duration of diabetes mellitus, the degree of glycemic correction, the type of diabetes mellitus, and the presence of concomitant diseases (severe arterial hypertension, dyslipoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia).

Types of Diuretics

Diuretics are divided into types. They are also divided according to the parameters of their effect on the body:

• force;
• specificity;
• speed;
• duration.

By duration

How long the drug will last is very important for the patient. If you choose the wrong medicine before a significant day or event, or incorrectly calculate the duration of the medicine’s effect, you risk losing a stable state at the wrong time.

The shortest-acting drugs (up to four hours) are: Ethacrynic acid, Furosemide, Urea, Mannitol.

Diacarb, Klopamide, Indopamit, Trianterene have a period of eight to fifteen hours.

The longest duration of exposure (from 2 to 3 days) is for Spironolactone, Ellerenone, Chlorthalidone.

If you have to deal with taking diuretics, then knowledge about the duration of the effect is required.

By force of influence

The strength of the drug's effect is really important. Weak drugs include Pterofen, Amilorit, Veroshpiron, Diacarb, Aldactone, Spironolactone. Oxodolin, Hygroton, Dichrolyazite, Hydrochlorothiazide, Hypothiazit and some others have medium strength of influence.

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The most potent drugs include Furosemide, Lasix, Torasemide, Urea, Mannitol, Klopamil, etc.

It is best to entrust the choice of medication for a diuretic injection to a doctor who knows all the features of the drugs.

Information about the potency of diuretics is especially important for patients with a history of diuretics. They are recommended mild medications with minimal side effects.

Cystic macular edema

Cystic macular edema (CME) is the formation of microcavities (microcysts) filled with fluid in the retina. Cystic macular edema combines types of macular edema caused by various diseases, but having a common pathogenetic mechanism - transudate accumulates in the retina, caused by a change in the integrity of the blood-ophthalmic barrier. As a result of these pathological processes, the ratio of osmotic pressure in the retina and the choroid of the eye is disrupted, which, in combination with the formation of vitreoretinal tractions, provokes the production of inflammatory factors (endothelial growth factor, as well as platelet growth factor) and the formation of excess fluid in the macular area. If cystoid macular edema exists for a short time, then the likelihood of subsequent recovery is high. This option is considered relatively safe for the eyes. With a long course of cystoid macular edema, there is a risk of fusion of small cystic formations into large cysts, which can lead to a lamellar rupture in the central fovea of ​​the retina and irreversible impairment of central vision.

Mechanism of action

Despite the fact that diuretics are classified in the same group, the ways in which medications affect the body are radically different.

The issue needs to be considered on an individual basis. In total, there are four types of medications of this type.

• Potassium-sparing. The safest means, the effect is relatively mild. These have a lot of positive aspects. The main disadvantage is that the effect is not fast enough and at the same time not so significant, which makes the medicine inapplicable as a first aid remedy.

The mechanism of action of a potassium-sparing diuretic is based on the ability to reduce the rate of transport of calcium ions in the body. Aldosterone activity decreases.

For this reason, there is a change in the nature of filtration in the kidneys. Liquid is drained faster.

However, if we compare potassium-sparing diuretics and others, the effect of the former will be somewhat weaker and will occur later.

These are mild diuretics, suitable for the treatment of swelling of the face, legs, arms against the background of the initial stages of heart failure, kidney problems without significant dysfunction.

• Thiazide diuretics. Considered to be of medium strength. They are more powerful than potassium-sparing ones, however, they are not as aggressive as loop ones (see below). Therefore, they can be used in a wider range of clinical cases.

This type of medication is characterized by a decrease in the filtration rate in the renal tubules due to the reabsorption of sodium.

The product, however, removes potassium. What can be considered a negative trait. Although not as aggressive as other drugs.

The effect is delayed, occurs after a few hours, and lasts 4-5 hours. Removal of the active substance is observed after approximately 12 hours.

They are not suitable for long-term use because they cause heart problems. Inadequate dosages also pose a risk of developing kidney failure.

For a detailed description of thiazide diuretics with a list of drugs, see this article.

• Loop diuretics. The most aggressive medications of the type in question. The mechanism of action is complex, based on a decrease in the rate of transport of potassium, sodium and chlorine, which in the system leads to insufficient reabsorption of fluid from primary urine and active separation of urine.

The use of loop drugs makes sense only in cases of severe, severe edema. The effect of the medication is observed almost immediately, after 10-15 minutes and lasts relatively little.

The product is not selective in terms of the removal of minerals, so the electrolytic balance is always disturbed. The reasons for using loop diuretics must be compelling.

• Osmotic agents. They are also considered powerful drugs. Based on the ability to reduce plasma pressure.

The effect is quick. Lasts a minimal amount of time (about 4-5 hours maximum, the peak of action occurs in the first 60 minutes).

Since these drugs are extremely active, they are mainly used as part of emergency care for brain injuries and severe heart problems. Edema is an additional reason.

Macular edema in wet retinal dystrophy

This type of macular edema is associated with age-related changes and occurs in people over 40 years of age with the development of age-related macular degeneration. The “wet” (or exudative) form of age-related macular degeneration accounts for about 10-20% of all cases. The pathogenetic mechanism for the formation of macular edema is based on the formation of new vessels, which, growing under the retina, form a subretinal neovascular membrane. Fluid begins to leak through it into the macular region of the retina, causing subsequent swelling. This can further lead to local retinal detachment, subretinal hemorrhage, death of photoreceptors, irreversible decrease in vision up to blindness. Age-related macular degeneration can progress at different rates in different patients. However, with early detection of the development of a subretinal neovascular membrane and timely treatment, stable remission can be achieved and vision can be restored.

Diagnosis of macular edema

Macular edema is a serious pathology associated with loss of central vision and potentially leading to complete blindness. Timely detection of the disease in the early stages helps not only to preserve, but also to restore vision. The main diagnostic methods for detecting the disease include both standard methods of ophthalmological examination and specialized studies:

• Ophthalmoscopy will reveal pronounced retinal edema based on the characteristic pattern of the fundus. However, small, local swelling of the macular area is sometimes not visually detected, but it can be suspected by a set of additional indirect signs.
• The Amsler test is used to detect metamorphopsia and scotoma.
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is recognized as the gold diagnostic standard and allows one to evaluate structural changes in the retina, as well as its thickness and volume.

• Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT) verifies macular edema and measures central retinal thickness.
• Fluorescein angiography (FAG) of the fundus allows to identify areas of retinal ischemia and vascular disorders, especially with occlusion of the central vein.

The diagnostic algorithm is determined by the doctor individually for each specific patient and depends on the type of macular edema and the presence of concomitant ophthalmological diseases.

Recipes from nature

You shouldn't always rely on medical remedies. Traditional recipes based on herbs and plant fruits (tinctures, teas, compresses, lotions) work no less effectively, but are gentle and safer for the body. Allergies to natural diuretics are rare. Natural diuretics, unlike synthetic (medicinal) ones, do not lead to dehydration, however, they cannot act as a means of rapid action. The course lasts at least two weeks.

The use of diuretic treatment using natural remedies is also supported by the facts that, along with swelling, herbal decoctions can solve other existing health problems. The functioning of the kidneys improves, varicose veins, thrombosis, hypertension can be treated, the immune system is strengthened, and the processes that cause inflammation are treated.

The list of herbs used for puffiness under the eyes includes: nettle, St. John's wort, bearberry, dill, parsley, horsetail, plantain leaves, lingonberry, orthosiphon, rose hips, birch buds.

Vegetables and fruits help normalize metabolic processes and remove excess fluid. The use of lemons, cucumbers, onions, white cabbage, and garlic is recommended.

Teas, tinctures, decoctions

By gently removing fluid from the body, they do not cause damage to the body as a whole. The mixtures consist of herbs familiar from childhood.

RECIPE 1. Brew dried leaves of nettle, mint, yarrow, dill umbrellas, chicory as tea before use, so that the resulting infusion does not have time to lose its healing diuretic properties:

1. 1 tsp. crushed collection.
2. 1 cup boiling water.
3. 1 tsp. honey if desired.
4. Leave for 20 minutes.

RECIPE 2. Another collection of medicinal herbs: birch buds, bearberry, lingonberry, juniper. You can purchase it at the pharmacy or prepare it yourself by mixing all the ingredients in equal proportions. The tea is prepared as in the previous recipe; it is preferable to infuse it in a thermos. Strain and drink five tablespoons at a time.

RECIPE 3. You cannot ignore another effective remedy against puffiness under the eyes - bearberry. Works independently and as part of a team. A natural decoction is prepared in the following ratio: a teaspoon of herbs per 250 ml of boiling water. Consume up to 50 ml 15 minutes before meals, three times a day. The duration of treatment with a diuretic decoction is one month.

RECIPE 4. Lingonberry leaf, like bearberry, can be used as a single component in the treatment of puffiness under the eyes or in combination with other plants. One teaspoon of herb leaves is brewed in a glass of boiling water before use. The daily dose is about 800 ml, divided into several doses.

The use of natural diuretics also has its limitations. The most reliable way to choose your own individual prescription is to seek advice from a doctor. A visit to your local physician will help you avoid mistakes with dosage and navigate the variety of herbal remedies. After treatment with diuretics of any origin, it is necessary to engage in restorative therapy to increase potassium levels in the body. Baked potatoes, dairy products, oranges, bananas in the diet will help correct the situation.

Doctors often prescribe diuretics to their patients for facial swelling, which occurs in various diseases. These may be pathologies of internal organs: liver, heart or kidneys. Edema can also be caused by excessive fluid intake, poor diet, alcohol abuse, smoking, allergic reactions to external irritations, and bruises. The disease can be eliminated with the help of diuretic medications.

Previously, this drug was mercury, but it is a very toxic substance. Currently, other diuretics have appeared that, by acting on the kidneys, promote more active urine excretion. Thanks to them, the amount of fluid in organ tissues is reduced, sodium is excreted at a faster rate, and as a result, the shape of the face returns to normal.

People who experience such symptoms should use any diuretic strictly under medical supervision, since the causes of swelling may be different, and therefore the treatment may be differentiated. In the morning, for example, the face swells in those suffering from kidney pathology, and in the evening in patients with heart failure. The degree of the condition can also vary from mild, barely noticeable to pronounced. Only a doctor can figure out how to treat a patient.

Injections

Most often, diuretics are prescribed in tablets, but in special cases these medications are administered by injection. They are prescribed for patients in a coma, fainting, those who have serious problems with the digestive system or impaired intestinal absorption.

We list medications for injection that relieve swelling.

• Mannitol is one of the most powerful medications used for blood poisoning, peritonitis, swelling of the brain and lungs. It is also prescribed for severe poisoning. Contraindications include chronic impairment of all kidney functions and filtration dysfunction of the kidneys.
• Furosemide is a forced diuretic that acts for no more than three hours and is immediately eliminated from the body. It is prescribed for problems with the kidneys, lungs and swelling of the brain; also indicated are cardiac swelling, eclampsia and hypertensive crisis.
• Lasix effectively eliminates swelling; it is injected in cases of severe sunburn, poisoning, problems with the kidneys and heart muscle, and also to maintain forced urination.
• Ethacrynic acid removes excess fluid within 9 hours. It is prescribed for swelling due to poor blood circulation, problems with kidney function, and swelling of the lungs and brain.

Prevention of leg swelling

• If possible, it is better to change shoes during the day: this is especially important for those who like high heels.
• Fluid intake in the evening should be controlled.
• Your legs also need rest. Stroking and massage can be done throughout the day.
• A good effect is achieved by wearing special therapeutic stockings or tights that prevent the appearance of edema.
• It is better to exclude sweet soda from the diet, and pay attention to the consumption of salt and water. It would be preferable to stick to a diet with limited consumption of the last named foods. Too fatty, smoked foods should also be limited.
• Daily foot massage and baths with decongestants will help.
• While sleeping, you can place a cushion under your feet (a pillow or a folded blanket will do).
• Controlling extra pounds is the next preventative measure.
• Performing vigorous physical exercise.
• Taking vitamins B, E and C.
• When taking water procedures, you can use cool water for rinsing.
• sea salt help . Having lowered your feet into the water (it should be cool), lightly pinching, you need to massage the swollen areas in the direction from bottom to top.
• Elderberry can come to the rescue A decoction of its bark and berries has a very good effect.
• If varicose veins appear, you can save yourself by applying steamed elderberry leaves.
• Birch leaves and knotweed - they also make an excellent remedy. How to prepare: mix the plants, taken in the amount of one teaspoon, add water (one glass). After boiling for twenty minutes, let the mixture sit for half an hour. Take 0.5 cups twice a day (morning/evening).

Useful video

Diuretics are widely used in medicine to treat many diseases. The main purpose of these drugs is to remove from the body excess fluid, chemicals, and salts that have accumulated in the walls of blood vessels or tissues. Drugs are classified into several main groups, which differ in their mechanism, speed, strength and duration of action. This article discusses the best drugs of each group, their scope of application, the advantages and disadvantages of a particular drug.

Potent drugs

The diuretic effect of fast-acting medications occurs within 1 hour after administration and lasts 10–14 hours. Such diuretics are needed as emergency aid, but they cannot be taken for a long time. Otherwise, valuable minerals and trace elements are washed out of the body. Medicines are prescribed in short courses with long breaks, otherwise an addictive effect occurs.

Furosemide

Tablets with a rapid diuretic effect, in addition to eliminating edema, reduce blood pressure. The active component washes away water, magnesium and potassium, thereby disrupting the functions of the nervous, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Furosemide is used in emergency cases, when it is necessary to quickly eliminate an aesthetic defect and normalize blood pressure. The drug acts 20–30 minutes after administration, the diuretic effect lasts up to 6 hours. Price 20 tablets – 30 rub.

Moduretic

Combined drug with a diuretic effect in tablets. The diuretic effect develops after 2 hours and is maintained for up to 1 day. These tablets for facial swelling are not used for hypersensitivity of the body, potassium deficiency, renal failure, or in childhood. Side effects: insomnia, depression, headache and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, bowel dysfunction, urticaria, allergic reactions. Price 30 tablets – 1250 rub.

Uregit

Diuretic tablets with ethacrynic acid remove excess water from the body, while a slight leaching of potassium occurs. This indicator in blood plasma must be carefully monitored. The diuretic effect develops after 30 minutes and lasts up to 8 hours. Uregit is contraindicated in cases of lactose intolerance, a tendency to allergies, or hepatic coma. Side effects: anorexia, chills, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, skin rash, itching. Price 20 tablets – 2000 rub.