How to remove swelling? 14 remedies for treating puffiness at home

Changing habits

One of the best changes you can make to your lifestyle is to reduce your consumption of processed foods and excessive salt intake.
You should not sit for a long time without moving - this can reduce blood circulation. Physical activity improves it and helps get rid of excess water.
Some medications can also cause water retention, so it's worth checking with your doctor if you're concerned about the problem.
Although these are not directly related to water retention, it is worth assessing your diet to ensure they are not causing digestive problems or bloating.
Excessive or insufficient intake of water, alcohol, minerals, caffeine and salt can cause delay.
It is prohibited to take diuretic tablets without a doctor's permission.

Remedy 2: Less salt

Consume less salt.

A large amount of salt intake comes from processed foods , such as:

store bought bread;
chips and various snacks;
sauces;
soups.

It is recommended to consume more unprocessed foods:

fruits;
vegetables;
whole grains.

If possible, try making bread at home.

Why does swelling occur after drinking?

The mechanism for the appearance of edema on the face is regulated, first of all, by our kidneys. They are the ones who are able to retain excess fluid in the body and not remove it out. As a result, bags appear under the eyes, and swelling can spread to the rest of the face (cheeks, lips, chin).

Alcohol (alcohol) has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the kidneys, and, among other things, also causes dehydration. If the face is swollen, this means that the body tried to put aside fluid “in reserve”, and it accumulated in the soft tissues.

If you drink a lot of alcohol or drink strong drinks with a lot of liquid (juice or sweet water, for example), not only your face, but also your limbs (feet and hands) may swell. Intoxication of the body also results in the fact that the kidneys simply “don’t want” to work. They are not able to remove this fluid from the tissues, and even the body itself does not want to give it away due to dehydration.

What to do? Is it possible to “turn on” the excretory system and relieve swelling at home?

Remedy 3: More Potassium

Consume more potassium! This mineral does not “work” directly as a diuretic, but the potassium-sodium balance is very important for regulating fluid metabolism in the body .

Most people consume more sodium and less potassium.

Good sources of potassium are:

oranges (and orange juice);
potato;
avocado;
bananas;
yogurt;
milk;
poultry meat;
veal.

Key rules of slow carb

Before each meal, think through the menu
and try to replace at least one high GI food with a healthy low GI alternative.
Add at least one low-GI ingredient to every meal
, which would include a portion of proteins and fats. This way you will add at least a small benefit to the dish, even if it is high GI.
Replace refined cereals, flour and other ingredients with whole grains as often as possible.
Reduce the blood sugar impact of any food
, combining it with a product that has a lower glycemic index. For example, “neutralize” waffles or pancakes (high GI) with blueberries (low GI).
Control your portions.
Large meals, no matter what they contain, always stimulate a higher blood glucose response than small ones. Therefore, do not try to eat ahead, even if there is a lot of work looming on the horizon and you know in advance that there will be a long pause between meals. Better take care of nutritious and healthy snacks.
Avoid fruit
- They have too much sugar.
Follow the diet six days a week, and leave one day for rest and enjoyment
. On such a “day off” you can forget about all the above rules. Eat whatever you want without fear of regaining lost pounds. Surprisingly, jumping up your calorie intake once a week increases fat loss, ensuring your metabolism doesn't become fatigued from prolonged calorie restriction.
Read also: Red eyes after eyelash extensions - what to do? Causes of red eyes, methods of eliminating the problem

Diagnosis and treatment

The specialist will prescribe a number of procedures aimed at studying the nature of the edema:

general blood and urine tests;
Ultrasound examination helps to discern the accumulation of fluid in tissues if the swelling is not superficial;
ECG - if the development of heart disease is suspected;
MRI - magnetic resonance imaging traces changes in soft tissues.

Treatment of edema is carried out according to the concomitant disease. If the swelling is caused by certain pathologies, then the therapy is complex. Local preparations and tablets are most effective in eliminating swelling.

Why do I swell before my period?

The most common and harmful case of edema is undoubtedly the days before the onset of menstruation. On such days, you may simultaneously notice swollen breasts, an enlarged abdomen, swollen legs and a swollen face.

They also say that we women are completely intractable these days. I'd like to see how men would cope with PMS symptoms... I think they would have started World War III by now.

Scientific explanation of edema during PMS. After ovulation, the level of the hormone progesterone increases in our body. With a sharp increase in progesterone, prolactin levels increase. Prolactin retains fluid and also leads to an increase in the level of antidiuretic hormone (ADE), so our weight can increase by almost 4% (a woman weighing 55 kg can gain up to two kilograms).

Hormonal surges during this period also affect the level of serotonin (the hormone of happiness), significantly reducing it and causing inexplicable, uncontrollable, nasty cravings for sweets. Carbohydrate metabolism causes swelling, and it turns out that in addition to swelling due to progesterone, swelling due to glucose is added.

Trouble doesn’t come alone, and you’ve probably noticed that before menstruation we are more susceptible to stress. Stress, in turn, affects the level of aldosterone, a hormone that regulates the balance of fluids in the body.

In general, with PMS we are still “fairies”.

How to get rid of swelling? You can temporarily cope with the situation as follows:

Remove salt from your diet completely or significantly reduce its consumption.
Use natural drainage products to help remove fluid.
Use special nutritional supplements to relieve the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (they come in different types, sold in pharmacies), which will help you control hormonal fluctuations, replenish magnesium deficiency and reduce irritability.
Loosen up as much as possible and wear bulky black clothes because scientists have found that black is slimming.

What are the types of swelling?

The medical classification of edema is based on etiological characteristics. This condition is determined by the nature of its origin:

Inflammatory process

Localized accumulation of fluid almost anywhere in the human body where the inflammatory process is based. The answer to the question of how to get rid of this sounds simple: you need to eliminate the inflammation.

Allergic

Histamine, produced in the body in response to the received allergen. It increases the permeability of cell membranes, disrupts the permeability of blood vessels, which leads to rapid, sometimes catastrophic accumulation of fluid in certain places. Here the doctor decides the issue by prescribing antihistamines and desensitizing drugs. Sometimes a person’s life depends on the speed of assistance provided.

Toxic

It is practically no different from allergic edema, except for the main reason that caused it. This is a serious injury to the body caused by exposure to a toxic substance. What is being decided here is not how to remove swelling, but how to save a human life.

Lymphatic (lymphogenic)

Violation of lymph outflow associated with compression of lymphatic vessels, their rupture or traumatic injury. This can also happen with some types of cancer. In this case, swelling of the soft tissues is localized at the site of damage or disruption of lymph outflow. Only a doctor can decide how to relieve swelling.

Neurological (neurogenic)

It is associated with disorders of the nervous system, innervation, and static position of the patient who has such a disorder (usually in stroke, bedridden patients). This is a process that occurs as a result of damage to muscles whose activity is no longer provided by nerve patency. The question of how to relieve swelling is within the competence of the attending doctor and the nurse who follows his instructions.

Cordial

Appears in various areas of the body, most often the face and legs are affected. The origin of the pathological accumulation of fluid is associated with the inability of the heart to fully perform its pumping function. In this case, the cardiologist decides how to get rid of edema.

Renal

The cause of this kind of symptoms is a malfunction of the kidneys and genitourinary system; the associated accumulation of fluid is usually caused by damage to the kidney tissue. This leads to the removal of proteins and electrolytes from the body along with urine. Morning swelling of the face is most often renal in its etiology. In chronic alcoholics, this occurs due to constant, negative load on the kidneys.

Pulmonary or cerebral edema

The consequence of especially negative pathologies, often in a cumulative effect, when the cause that caused the initial accumulation of fluid has acquired a threatening character, spreading to vital organs.

Idiopathic

In a fairly large percentage of people, the cause of this condition cannot be determined with certainty (in women it is usually associated with hormonal imbalances). An idiopathic disorder can be dealt with using improvised means, but in any case this is not a very good symptom, and it would not hurt anyone to consult a doctor before relieving the swelling.

Homemade masks for swelling on the face

You can prepare effective anti-puffiness masks at home. Grate a fresh cucumber on a medium grater, squeeze out the juice a little and apply the cucumber pulp all over your face. Lie with this mask for 10-12 minutes. Cucumber will relieve swelling, refresh and moisturize the skin.

The apple-lemon mask copes well with swelling. Take a green apple, grate it on a coarse grater and add 5 drops of lemon juice to the pulp. Apply the mask to your face for 5-7 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Quick mask: add finely chopped dill to cold sour cream. Keep on face for 10-12 minutes.

One-time swelling on the face caused by simple reasons (excess fluid, alcohol) can be easily eliminated by changing your lifestyle and diet. A regularly swollen face is a reason to urgently seek medical help. This is especially true for sudden swelling with rash, itching and changes in complexion.

Is swelling a sign of illness?

If swelling recurs regularly, grows rapidly, or affects several anatomical areas, you should consult a doctor. Pathological edema is characteristic of the following diseases and conditions:

heart failure;
kidney diseases;
violation of the protein-synthetic function of the liver, cirrhosis, hepatosis, liver failure;
endocrine diseases;
exhaustion (cachexia);
allergic reaction (anaphylactic shock);
blood diseases;
diffuse connective tissue diseases;
pathology of blood vessels and lymphatic ducts (varicose veins, elephantiasis);
benign and malignant tumors.

Rapidly developing edema can cause death. For example, in case of anaphylactic shock or laryngeal edema in children. In these cases, “home” remedies for edema are not very effective and can only bring temporary relief. To successfully combat edema, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary.

However, not all swelling is a symptom of the disease. Some manifestations of swelling can be observed in completely healthy people.

Products that have a diuretic effect: strawberries, mulberries, lingonberries, cranberries, apples and pears, cucumbers, zucchini and especially watermelons.

Diuretic herbal remedies: juniper berries, dill or fennel seeds, flax seeds, bearberry herb.

How to quickly remove swelling from the face after drinking

After friendly get-togethers and drinking alcohol, the next morning you may be surprised to find that your face is swollen after drinking. The amount you drink in this case does not always matter. For some, one-time violent libations can pass completely without a trace. But for some people, a glass or two of alcohol drunk the day before is enough to see their swollen face in the mirror the next morning.

Facial swelling: causes

Morning swelling of the face. which occurs only occasionally, depends in most cases on eating food in the evening or immediately before bed, especially salty food, and excessive amounts of liquids. This can be solved simply, just limit yourself to food in the evening and drink less at night. But it may turn out that the problem lies much deeper, and swelling on the face occurs due to:

hormonal imbalances in the body;
diseases of the cardiovascular system;
interruptions in the functioning of the kidneys and liver;
problems with the thyroid gland.

In these cases, it is necessary to be examined and find out the cause of regular swelling of the face with further treatment of the identified disease.

When swelling appears only after drinking alcohol, this still indicates a malfunction in the body, for example, the excretory system or blood supply. In addition, ethyl alcohol generally has a negative effect on the body, dehydrating it and causing severe intoxication, which disrupts the overall balance in the functioning of organs.

For people who experience swelling after drinking, it is better to completely give up alcohol or significantly reduce its amount. But if there is already swelling, you need to somehow remove it in order to bring your face to a more normal state.

How can you quickly remove swelling from your face after drinking?

1. First you need to get rid of the symptoms of a hangover. When it goes away, the swelling on the face gradually subsides. The habit of relieving a hangover with a new portion of alcohol can only worsen the condition.

2. First of all, you need to relieve intoxication, for which you can take activated carbon (1 tablet per 10 kg of weight) or Polysorb (1 tablespoon per glass of water). This will help for the normal functioning of the liver and kidneys.

3. After about an hour, drink brine from sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers or tomatoes, which helps restore ion exchange in the body. Kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk also help improve the condition.

4. Take a contrast shower to wash away all intoxication products from the skin, finishing the procedure with cold water.

5. After a shower, drink green tea, to which you can add mint, or herbal tea.

How to remove swelling from the eye after an injury?

The skin around the eyes is very delicate, so swelling or bruising may occur after an intentional or accidental blow. To prevent swelling from spreading further across the face, you must immediately apply something cold to the site of the bruise. In this situation, you can use ice, any cold object or any freezer from the refrigerator.

In addition, lotions made from raw potatoes (grated or cut in half), which are applied to the bruise site several times a day, are quite effective. Badyaga is also an excellent remedy, which can be purchased in finished form (powder or gel) at the pharmacy. The swelling around the eye is carefully lubricated with gel, and after 15-20 minutes it is washed off, repeating this several times during the day. Swelling begins to decrease already on the second day.

Take care of yourself, drink alcohol in moderation. If your face swells every time after drinking, this is a serious reason to think about your health, so it’s better to give up alcohol altogether.

How to eliminate other types of edema

After being stung by a bee or other insects, you need to take antihistamines. If they are not there, then you can use green tea lotions. In some cases, parsley juice helps. Along with lotions, you need to treat the bite site with anti-inflammatory drugs (Fenistil ointment).

Swelling after surgery should be removed only on the advice of a personal physician. Self-medication is strictly prohibited.

Swelling after sunbathing is best removed with Panthenol. Sunburn can be treated with sour cream or aloe juice.

Using cosmetics and medicines

Cosmetics will always help in critical situations. When choosing the right anti-edema remedy, you should refer to the presence of important elements :

Caffeine . It should be included in almost all drugs that are intended to improve blood circulation. After all, strengthening small vessels will always prevent the appearance of swelling on the face.
Hyaluronic acid – adds elasticity to the dermis.
Vitamin K and C complex . Preparations based on them moisturize the skin well and protect against flaking.

Among the medications, the following are particularly popular:

Leoton - gel . It is known in the field of combating varicose veins, but the drug quickly copes with small bags under the eyes. The whole secret of its action is to remove excess fluid from problem areas.
Torsemide and Amiloride . These drugs are considered diuretics. They remove a huge amount of water, so they should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

Traditional methods

Edema usually appears unexpectedly, when a person does not have the time or opportunity to run to the pharmacy for medicine. Then traditional methods will come to the rescue, requiring only food from the refrigerator.

Cucumber . Well tones and moisturizes the dermis. A slight tightening effect is also noticeable. The vegetable is excellent both for fighting wrinkles and for dealing with swelling.
Cold lotion. You can use either green tea or any other decoction. To speed up the process, you can freeze it in advance and then use ice cubes.
Potato. It needs to be thoroughly crushed (you can use a blender or grate it), and then applied to the swelling for 15 minutes.

Homemade tinctures and herbal decoctions

When swelling becomes regular, and masks and compresses become useless, then remedies that need to be used internally will come to the rescue. However, one should take into account the fact that any tinctures may be an allergenic drug, especially when a person is prone to allergies.

A decoction of blackberry leaves works well for swelling. This plant can be boiled together with coltsfoot and birch leaves. The mixture of herbs should be filled with water and placed in a water bath. Then, after 15 minutes, remove from heat and place in a cool place. The decoction should be taken every morning for 2 weeks.
A decoction of bear ears has an excellent diuretic effect . This is an herb that is known for its medicinal properties in kidney diseases. You need to brew tea in the ratio of 1 spoon of dry leaves to 1 glass of water. You need to drink the product twice a day, 100 g.
Onion decoction helps to quickly remove excess water from the body, so it is considered a good remedy against morning swelling. To prepare it you only need 2 onions and 1 spoon of honey. You don't even need to add water to the syrup. All you need to do is grind the vegetable in a blender, and then mix the onion juice with honey.

Anti-edema masks

To prevent the appearance of swelling in the morning, as well as to relieve swelling a little, it is recommended to make masks at least occasionally. They can be purchased at various pharmacies and stores, but it is better when they are prepared with your own hands.

Potato mask . To prepare the mask, you must first boil the potatoes and then chop them with a fork. Cool the potatoes a little and then apply to the skin. Keep the mask on for 10 minutes.
Sour cream mask . Sour cream will work better if you add 15 g of fresh dill to it. For the mask you will need 2 tablespoons of thick sour cream. Keep the product on your face for at least 10 minutes.
Greenery mask . To prepare, grind parsley and mix with potato mask. You can also mix parsley with green or black tea.

Patches for swelling

Recently, hydrogel patches have become increasingly popular. The cosmetology market offers many options for anti-edema patches, for every budget and taste. These masks help in a matter of minutes to cope not only with puffiness, but also to restore elasticity to the lower eyelid, which will prevent the appearance of wrinkles.

There are a huge number of types of patches, but to combat swelling you need to buy drainage patches. Products that contain caffeine and hyaluronic acid will work well.

In addition, most patches contain a bunch of useful elements and vitamins that help restore skin balance. Read our article about how to properly glue patches and how long to wear them .

Concealing cosmetics

What to do if you need to get rid of puffy bags under your eyes urgently, and you simply don’t have time?

In this case, decorative cosmetics will help you. Here are some tips:

Foundation for the skin around the eyes. You should use a cream a couple of shades lighter than for other areas of the skin.
Concealing cream. Less transparent than foundation and when choosing it you should be guided by the color of the skin under the eyes. To make the concealer stick better, you can lightly powder it.
Eye pencil with a corrective effect. Used to disguise dark circles under the eyes and fine wrinkles. Thanks to its creamy texture, it is easy to apply and shade.
Concealer or corrector. A yellow or orange concealer works best to conceal dark circles under the eyes. Use a creamy concealer with a light texture that does not dry out the skin and gives it a radiant effect.
Non-alcoholic eau de toilette with a decongestant effect: revitalizes, refreshes and soothes the skin around the eyes.

How to relieve swelling at home?

Contrasting cold and hot water douches, hypertensive baths with sea salt, massage and gymnastics will help relieve swelling from the legs. While resting, try to elevate your legs. If the cause of swelling of the legs is the initial stages of varicose veins, wearing elastic knitwear of the 1st compression class will alleviate the condition.

If you are prone to swelling around the eyes, it is recommended to avoid the use of greasy face creams and allergenic cosmetics. Lotions with hypertonic salt solution, massage with ice cubes, and eye gymnastics will help get rid of bags under the eyes.

Pastiness of the face and hands responds well to contrasting washes, gymnastics and mild diuretic therapy with herbal remedies. For sleep, a low pillow that supports the cervical spine in an anatomically correct position is recommended.

For minor edema in late pregnancy, moderate fluid restriction, avoidance of tight shoes and clothing, caffeine, consumption of diuretic products and diuretic herbal remedies are required. Try not to spend a lot of time on your feet and rest more often.

Expert: Natalya Dolgopolova, general practitioner Author: Tamara Mutnovskaya
The material uses photographs belonging to shutterstock.com

Why do I swell in the morning

Let's imagine that last night you ate not pizza, but a delicious low-sodium soup, but the next morning you still found swelling in your face, swelling in your arms or legs.

Remembering fashionable nutritional recommendations, you will immediately think: I have an intolerance to pumpkin, or carrots, or tomatoes.

I’ll just say that if you are swollen in the morning and it goes away quickly during the day, then the tomato you ate is not to blame. (But if you're still swollen by evening, then, of course, the tomato is to blame.)

Scientific explanation of the causes of swelling in the morning. Microcirculation is to blame. Blood pumped by the heart and the pulsation of the arteries reaches our limbs and parts of the body remote from the heart (arms, legs, face). The circulatory system is divided into increasingly smaller and thinner vessels, at the ends of which the blood gives off oxygen and takes in carbon dioxide. After that, she needs to return home, throw away the carbon dioxide and take oxygen.

But what will push her? There are several factors, one of which is the rhythmic contraction of the muscles you use throughout the day.

It's easy to guess that while you sleep, this whole process slows down (this is how my friend Laura, a sleepwalker, never swells). And if you also sleep in a warm room (and blood vessels dilate in warmth) or wear bulky fleece pajamas and sheep's wool leg warmers, then everything becomes even worse.

As a result, you are swollen in the morning, but after a couple of hours you become human again.

How to relieve swelling in the morning? Maintaining a cool bedroom temperature no doubt helps.

If your legs are mostly swollen, you can elevate them a little. It is often recommended to place a pillow under your feet. I tried, but she never stayed where I put her, so I suggest putting something bulky under the mattress to keep her feet elevated. And you won’t wonder in the morning how this pillow ended up here.

If your face swells after sleep, raise the mattress slightly at the top of the bed. A couple of years ago, when I asked how I could deal with the problem of a swollen face in the morning, the doctor measured me with his professional gaze and said: “Try to sleep standing up, like a horse.”

Back to contents

Causes of edema after drinking alcohol

Before you relieve swelling after alcohol, you need to determine the exact cause of its occurrence. Bags under the eyes, puffiness of the face, arms and legs develop as a result of the aggressive effect of ethanol on the kidneys and organs of the urinary system.

After drinking, especially long-term drinking, the normal functioning of the kidneys is disrupted. They cannot fully remove excess fluid from the body, as a result of which it accumulates in the tissues.

The reasons why you swell after alcohol can be different:

retention of excess fluid in the body due to malfunction of the kidneys and urinary system;
pathologies of the cardiovascular system, which are aggravated by alcohol intoxication ;
avitaminosis;
allergic reaction accompanied by Quincke's edema;
chronic lack of sleep;
metabolic disorders;
infectious lesions of the oral cavity or larynx.

How quickly the body copes with swelling depends on many factors - age and gender, length of alcoholic experience and general health.

With occasional consumption of strong drinks, the swelling disappears during the first day after its occurrence. Long-term binge drinking is accompanied by so-called “chronic” edema, which disappears within 8-10 days.

Medicinal tinctures

If you are regularly bothered by swelling and do not know how to get rid of swelling on your face, then it is recommended to use tinctures made from natural medicinal herbs. The modern fast-paced lifestyle is not conducive to maintaining beauty and health; it is not always possible to get enough sleep. For these reasons, excess fluid may be retained in the body, and swelling on the face appears in the morning.

The easiest way is to make decoctions from rose hips. They are available and are an effective diuretic. It is recommended to steam the fruits in a thermos and drink the tincture in small portions throughout the day.

How to get rid of edema using folk remedies? Corn silk tincture will help solve this problem. A glass of hot water will require 30 g of dry material. Infuse the product for about 3 hours. Then take 1 tablespoon for 5 days, always after meals.

You can drink horsetail tincture for 2 weeks. Dilute 4 tablespoons of horsetail in about a liter of boiling water and leave for 60 minutes. You should drink the entire mixture in small sips throughout the day.

But you should always remember that all diuretics quickly remove calcium. For this reason, during the course of treatment it is best to take calcium supplements and under no circumstances drink decoctions for too long, no more than 2-3 weeks in a row.

It is best to avoid pharmaceutical chemicals. Indeed, they quickly relieve swelling, but they wash out fluid even from blood vessels, and this poses a risk of blood clots.

How to get rid of swelling on the face at home?

There are many ways to help get rid of swelling on the face for a long time. For this purpose, pharmacy and folk remedies are used. To avoid the development of side effects, it is recommended to discuss their use with your doctor.

Pharmacy remedies for edema

Such products effectively relieve problems associated with excess fluid. The most effective include the following:

Gel Lyoton. It helps to quickly relieve facial swelling. It is recommended to apply the drug using massage movements, after which it is left for 10 minutes. Use the gel around the eyes with caution so that it does not get into the organs of vision.
Amiloride. The drug removes excess fluid from the body and restores lymph circulation. The swelling goes away completely after a week of taking it.
Torsemide. These are tablets that have a diuretic effect and are often used for heart disease. They should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor. Prohibited during pregnancy.

Folk remedies for swelling on the face

Many folk remedies that are used at home help remove excess fluid from the body. The face becomes fresh and toned.

An effective way to eliminate swelling is to take diuretic tea with blackberry leaves. To prepare it, combine 100 g of blackberry leaves and 10 g of birch and coltsfoot leaves. The mixture is poured with hot water in a ratio of 1:2 and placed in a water bath for 10 minutes. The decoction should be taken 2 times a day, 1 glass before meals. The course of treatment is 10-14 days.

An infusion of bear's ear herb is good for eliminating swelling because it has an antiseptic effect on the urinary system. To prepare it, 1 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured with 1 glass of boiling water and left for 2 hours. The liquid is filtered and taken twice a day, half a glass.

If swelling occurs due to problems with the heart and blood vessels, then you can take a decoction of corn silk. For this, 1 tbsp. l. raw materials are poured with 250 ml of boiling water and left for 3 hours. Take 2 tbsp. l. every 4 hours, taking a break at night.

Birch sap helps to cope well with the problem. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach, one glass at a time, and then throughout the day in unlimited quantities.

Onion syrup is also effective. To prepare it, take 2 pcs. onions, scroll through a meat grinder and mix with 1 tbsp. l. honey Leave the mixture for several hours, then strain and squeeze. Take 2 tbsp before meals. l.

Flaxseed is ground in a coffee grinder to a powder. Take it 1 tsp. for a month. The powder can be added to food.

Self-massage Tsogan

To learn how to perform this useful massage, I suggest familiarizing yourself with the Japanese Tsogan (or Zogan) technique and getting rid of swelling, wrinkles yourself, and regaining a beautiful complexion.

So let's get started! First, apply a sufficient amount of cosmetic oil to your face and neck so that your hands glide freely over the skin. All movements are performed softly, smoothly, using only the pads of the fingers. No painful pressure!

We perform the basic movement three times: we place the pads of our fingers on the forehead, in the center, and press tightly. We smoothly lead to the temples, then we lead along the side contours of the face to the ears, press for a few seconds, then continue to move to the lymph nodes located above the collarbone.
We place the pads of our fingers at the outer corners of the eyes, gently press, smoothly lead to the inner corners, and fix it. Then, with light pressure, we lead along the eyebrows to the outer corner of the eyes, fix it again, and lead to the inner corner of the eye.
Along the lower edge of the eye sockets we return to the temples. Let's perform the first movement three times.
Place the pads of your fingers on the middle of the chin, apply a little pressure, outline the lips without reducing the pressure. The fingers “meet” under the nose. We do it 3 times.
Place the pads on the wings of the nose and massage in an arched manner 3 times.
From top to bottom we draw along the bridge of the nose, then we move our hands to the temples. Finally, repeat the first point of the massage.
We place our fingers in the middle of the chin, circle the lips, lead to the wings of the nose and to the inner corners of the eyes, fix it, lead to the temples. We do the basics, that is, the first move.
Open your palms, place it on your face, place your thumbs under your chin. We move our hands to the edge of the face and perform the first movement.
We place our fingers on the forehead, move them in a zigzag manner to the temples, repeat 3 times.
We complete the massage by repeating the basic technique 3 times. You need to massage 2 times a week, only then will you achieve noticeable results.

Effective folk remedies

If edema is not caused by serious health problems, then you can cope with them through traditional medicine. You just need to choose the right ingredients for masks, compresses, lotions so that they match your skin type and its needs.

Compresses (applications)

To quickly remove swelling from the face, compresses with herbal decoctions are used. To achieve maximum effect, you need to know how to do them correctly:

First, prepare a decoction, cloth (cotton, linen) or napkins.
Soak a napkin (or cloth) in the cooled broth, wring it out and apply it to the swollen area.
Hold for at least 5 minutes, then change the compress to a new one. Repeat this manipulation 3-5 times.
Afterwards cream is applied to the facial skin. It is desirable that it has a lifting effect.

Corn silk decoction

2 tbsp. l. The stigmas are poured with a glass of boiling water and placed in a water bath for 30 minutes.

Cool, filter and add a glass of boiled water to replenish the original volume. Before use, the decoction is heated and shaken. This decoction relieves swelling due to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Decoction of bay leaves

A decoction of bay leaves is used as a lotion for swelling. To prepare, you will need 100 g of dried and crushed bay leaf, which is poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled for 5 minutes.

Then the broth should be cooled, strained and wiped on the face 2-3 times a day. This method helps to cope not only with swelling and bruising, but also with other skin problems. The tincture should be stored in the refrigerator.

Anti-swelling mask after sunbathing

Egg whites will help with swelling after sunbathing, beat until foam forms and spread on your face.

After complete drying, the film is washed off with cold water and the face is lubricated with moisturizer.

For bags under the eyes

If bags under the eyes are the result of a chaotic daily routine, an unhealthy lifestyle, bad habits and an unbalanced diet, then normalizing all these aspects will lead to a natural elimination of the problem.

The salons offer treatments such as peeling, microcurrent, lymphatic drainage massage and laser therapy. However, all these procedures have a number of contraindications, so minor swelling can be dealt with using special manipulations and masks that can be easily done at home.

The following procedures have proven their effectiveness:

Self-massage.
Contrasting lotions. To carry out the procedure, you will need two pieces of fabric and two containers with cold and hot water, to which you can add salt.
Compresses with tea (black, green) and herbal infusions (chamomile, calendula).
Natural based masks.

For example, this mask:

Coconut oil.
Sauerkraut juice – 30 ml.

You need to squeeze the juice out of sauerkraut, strain, soak cotton pads in it and apply them to your eyes for 30 minutes. Then the juice is washed off and coconut oil is applied. This mask will help not only against bags, but also against bruises under the eyes.

Potato mask

A potato eye mask can be made in two ways:

For the first method, you need to peel one tuber, wash it and cut two thin circles from it. Place the slices on the eye for 15 minutes, after making cuts over the entire surface so that the juice comes out. The procedure will help get rid of signs of fatigue and dark circles.
Grate the potatoes, add flour and milk or cream, depending on your skin type, and keep on your eyelids for 15 minutes. The mask will relieve swelling around the eyes.

Apple mask

For bags under the eyes. The apple needs to be grated and wrapped in gauze. After 15 minutes, wash with cool water and apply nourishing cream to the area around the eyes.
For swelling and dark bags.

The apple is grated. The potatoes are washed, dried and chopped in a blender (without peeling). Mix both ingredients and apply under the eyes with a cotton pad. Wash off after 15 minutes with tea leaves.

With aloe and cucumber juice

2 tsp. aloe juice and 1 tbsp. l. Cucumber pulp is mixed and applied to the area around the eyes. Wash off after 10 minutes. Eliminates dark circles under the eyes.

With sauerkraut and potatoes

Cabbage juice is mixed with potato pulp, wrapped in gauze and applied to the eyelids for 30 minutes.

This mask will relieve your eyes from a tired look and swelling.

Pumpkin mask

Pumpkin – 10 g.
Apricot oil.

Bake the pumpkin, grind it to a puree and apply it to your eyelids for 10 minutes. Afterwards, wash off the mask and apply apricot oil.

Curd mask

Cottage cheese wrapped in gauze should be kept under the eyes for at least 10 minutes, and the skin around the eyes should be wiped with ice cubes made from milk or herbal infusions. This mask is good for helping with dark circles.

Cottage cheese mixed with green tea will help get rid of puffiness and dark circles. You need to take 2 teaspoons of tea leaves, and half as much cottage cheese. Leave for 20 minutes.

With honey and papaya

You need to take half the fruit, peel, grate and mix with liquid honey. Apply the mixture under the eyes and on the eyelids. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with cool water and apply nourishing cream.

How to remove swelling from your face with tea

Experts in the field of cosmetology know how to quickly remove swelling from the face. They advise using the most affordable, but very effective method - tea.

In order to quickly remove swelling from the eyes, you need to apply two freshly brewed (cooled) tea bags to your eyes for 15 minutes. To relieve swelling from the face and neck, it is better to use green tea.

Ice massage

To achieve maximum effect, you need to massage, adhering to certain rules:

First, you need to steam your face - in a water bath or with a towel dipped in hot water.
The massage is done with an ice cube, using light circular movements, without delaying on certain areas of the skin. You can use 2-3 cubes at a time. The massage lasts about 10 minutes.
After the massage, you need to apply the hot towel again for a few minutes, then wash your face and apply a nourishing cream.
Ice cubes are made only from high-quality, preferably mineral, water.
It is better if they are added with medicinal herbs, fruit and vegetable juice.

Lymphatic drainage massage

Lymphatic drainage massage around the eyes for swelling is performed using a moisturizer. Movements should be directed along massage lines, without pressure. You need to do light tapping, rolling your finger from one rib to another, pressing on the lower and upper eyelids.

Lymphatic drainage massage - this is how to quickly remove swelling from the face

This will help speed up tissue regeneration and lymphatic drainage, and improve blood flow. The skin should not be allowed to shrink or stretch. This massage can be done independently at home. Hardware lymphatic drainage massage is performed in beauty salons.

Another type of lymphatic drainage massage is also done at home, which is based on the activation of special points. You can do it with your fingertips or with a spoon. The necessary points are located on the lower eyelid, under the eyelashes, at the temples and in the bridge of the nose at the inner corners of the eyes. The effect of this massage is as pronounced as that of the classical technique.

Removing swelling

Cosmetics with a lymphatic drainage effect will help with this, for example, so-called “drainage” creams with extracts of algae, gingko, red grapes, witch hazel, various essential oils, escin, caffeine.

To stimulate blood and lymph circulation, you can massage your face in the morning with a galvanic massager or even just a piece of ice. The easiest way to reduce morning puffiness under the eyes is to place cotton pads soaked in strong tea leaves or freshly brewed coffee on your eyelids and lie with them for 10-15 minutes. Morning “bags” under the eyes are also well removed by cornflower or witch hazel flower water (it is no coincidence that extracts or hydrosols (hydrosols) of these plants are included in many products for the skin around the eyes). Flower water in its “pure form” can be bought in many stores selling biocosmetics and essential oils, the main thing is that no alcohol is added to it: delicate and thin eyelid skin does not need this ingredient. And don’t forget that morning swelling on the face can be caused by improper skin care in the evening, for example, if you don’t cleanse your skin well enough, use too greasy and “heavy” cream, apply it too much, or disrupt the natural biorhythms of the skin by applying evening cream not in the evening, as it should be, but closer to night.

Remedy 10. Vitamin B6

If you have problems with fluid retention in the body before menstruation (menstruation), take a single dose of 100 mg of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 5 days before.

Pyridoxine is also a diuretic and increases urine production, thereby reducing the amount of fluid in the body.

Vitamin B6 also helps in regulating estrogen and progesterone levels.

Increased amounts of vitamin B6 are found in the following foods:

bananas;
avocado;
peas;
poultry meat;
fish;
spinach.

Attention! The maximum permissible dose of pyridoxine is 1.2 mg for women!

Some experts warn that taking more than 10 mg of this vitamin may harm the patient only if it is not part of the patient's treatment regimen.

It is recommended to take medications containing a complex of vitamins B, and not just a specific vitamin of this group.

Relieving swelling

The first treatment for edema is based on restoring the body. Since alcohol contributes to the destruction of vitamin C in tissues, it is better to drink acidified water during a hangover.

Lemon juice

To do this, lemon juice is diluted in ordinary purified water. In order for the brain to replenish its energy resources, a little sugar is added to the liquid. Natural cleansers - activated carbon, any sorbent or Regidron - will help restore the water-electrolyte balance from alcohol poisoning.

Rose hip

Rosehip has an excellent natural diuretic effect. Its fruits contain a powerful dose of vitamin C. The plant is poured with boiling water and cooked over low heat for about 15 minutes, then left for 2 hours to squeeze out all the beneficial substances. Before drinking, the drink is filtered and a little sugar is added for taste.

It is not recommended to abuse rose hips for gastritis, and during an exacerbation such therapy is prohibited. You can also use other herbs as a diuretic for alcohol syndrome - milk thistle, birch and linden leaves. Milk thistle meal will help relieve intoxication.

Collection

Juniper, oregano and motherwort can be brewed together, but in case of any hematopoietic disorders, this collection is not recommended.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Dqp2ivM166E%27

Diet for edema

Frequent swelling may be a consequence of poor nutrition. Following a diet requires consultation with a specialist and strict adherence to recommendations. Diet rules:

Limit the amount of table salt to 1.5 g per day.
The diet should be dominated by proteins, whole grains, fermented milk products, and fiber.
Limit the amount of liquid consumed to 1.5 liters.
Avoid pickles, marinades, sauces, smoked meats, and fast food.
Eat often (5-6 times) in small portions.

The diet is based on the consumption of permitted and exclusion of prohibited foods. These include:

Allowed	Prohibited
Eggs	Ice cream, chocolate, cakes, confectionery
Dietary varieties of meat, fish, poultry	Pickles, smoked meats, pickled vegetables
Whole grains (bread, cereals)	Sausages, sausages, canned food
Dairy and fermented milk products	Hot herbs and spices
Watermelon, melon, lemon, apples	Mayonnaise, fatty sauces, mustard
Cucumbers, beans, eggplants, carrots, pumpkin, beets	Honey, sugar, syrup
Parsley, onion, sorrel	Fatty fish, meat, caviar
Nuts, vegetable oil, flax seeds, seafood	Butter bread, pastries
Green tea, rosehip infusion, herbal teas, lemon water	Alcohol, sweet soda, coffee

To eliminate edema at home, mono-diets and fasting days are used. Effective options:

Consume 2 kg of watermelon pulp per day, dividing the total amount into 5-6 doses. You can drink cranberry-lingonberry juice up to 1 liter.
The daily diet consists of 1.5 liters of 3% kefir, 250 g of raw vegetables and 2 green apples. The entire volume should be divided into 3-4 times. Drink infusion of rose hips and lemon balm.
You can eat 100 g of boiled rice per meal all day. For drinks, dried fruit compote (no more than 1200–1400 ml) is recommended.

Physical activity and exercises

A sedentary lifestyle not only contributes to excess weight gain, it also provokes the formation of edema. You need to spend more time outdoors - play outdoor games, play some sports, or just take a walk. Oxygen and moderate physical activity activate metabolic processes in the body, promoting the outflow of excess fluid from tissues.

Physical activity - walking, running, cycling - trains muscles and is very useful for swelling. Daily walking is required. When walking, the lower leg muscles actively work, which improves blood circulation and strengthens the walls of blood vessels. And normalization of blood circulation prevents the appearance of edema and helps the lymphatic system cope with existing congestion. You should walk at least 20 minutes a day at a brisk pace.

To get rid of edema, you need to get rid of congestion in the capillaries. This can be done with the following exercises:

Upside down beetle. Lie on the mat, raise your arms and legs vertically and shake them for 1 minute.
Perform the bicycle exercise (bending and unbending your knees in turn), placing a roll of a terry towel under your pelvis.
Before going to bed, lie on your back and raise your legs, leaning them on the wall. Lie in this position until a feeling of tingling and numbness appears (about 5-10 minutes).

If swelling is caused by heart problems, you can forcefully clench and unclench your fingers for 10 minutes. This promotes better contraction of the heart muscle and reduced swelling.

Drug therapy and other means

Swelling should be removed after identifying the cause that caused it. Only a clarified etiology can suggest the correct means to remove excess fluid from the body. In case of an allergic reaction, these will be antihistamines; in case of hormonal imbalance, hormonal drugs (they are also prescribed in the case of pathological damage to membranes and blood vessels in order to stabilize cellular structures and reduce the outflow of fluid from cells).

The main way to relieve swelling is considered to be diuretics that stimulate the functioning of the renal tubules, as a result of which excess water begins to be transported from the body.

You should not abuse diuretics, because along with artificially induced urination, potassium leaves the body, which can dramatically affect the functioning of the heart and other important internal organs.

And the increased load on the kidneys in connection with this, in the case of an undiagnosed disease, can lead to an exacerbation of the process occurring in the organs. Urinary medications should be taken with caution by those who have low blood pressure, problems with hematopoiesis, blood clotting, or recent illnesses associated with a malfunction of the body's immune system.

If a person considers himself healthy enough to take medications that can have a lot of side effects, then soon seeing a doctor will become really necessary. There are also such simple folk remedies as corn silk, rose hips, chokeberry, dill seeds, parsley leaves, diuretic medicinal preparations that can be purchased from herbalists or at a pharmacy, and even strong black or green tea drunk with milk. But all this is only the elimination of symptoms, which will appear again and again if the cause that caused it is not eliminated.

TOP 3 common causes of puffy eyelids

The most common causes of swelling are described below.

Lifestyle

Needless to say, even lifestyle can affect your appearance. If you are a fan of noisy alcoholic parties, go to bed in the morning and wake up only in the evening - problems with edema simply cannot be avoided.

How to remove swelling after drinking? It is simply not possible to quickly cope with the problem - excess fluid and lack of sleep will leave their mark on the face in any case.

Here it is best to immediately use special cooling creams and drink a diuretic to remove fluid more quickly.

Exposure to bright light on the eyes and excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation also have a negative effect.

In all these cases, you just need to reconsider your lifestyle, eliminate alcohol and other harmful substances, and go to bed on time.

All this will help maintain beauty and radiant appearance for a long time.

Tears

Sometimes crying is useful, because some harmful substances are removed with tears. But everything should be in moderation, so tears, especially at night, can cause swelling on the face in the morning.

This happens because tears contain salt, which prevents the removal of fluid, it accumulates and excessive swelling appears. Moreover, tears are often associated with stress and emotional experience, insomnia.

All these factors naturally have a negative effect on the body, so you should try to avoid such conditions.

Cosmetical tools

Excess cosmetics always negatively affects the condition of the skin, even if the products are of good quality and from reputable manufacturers.

Before going to bed, remnants of cosmetics must be carefully removed, otherwise there is every risk of harming not only the skin, but the entire body.

Getting cosmetics into the mucous membrane of the eye is dangerous and the appearance of swelling after this is the least problem that can happen.

Be careful when choosing a cream, especially a night cream, serum, etc. Its composition should be light, and after application there should be no tightening film on the skin. Otherwise, swelling in the morning will be your constant companion.

Herbal diuretics

Herbal infusions from pharmacies have a very mild effect, but, unfortunately, they are ineffective.

The most popular herbs are dandelion root and bearberry. There are many different herbal mixtures in pharmacies.

There are special herbal teas that remove excess fluid. They act very gently.

Here's a good detox tea - Yogi Tea, Caffeine Free Detox Tea, 16 Tea Bags, 1.02 oz (29 g)

And here is this diuretic Traditional Medicinals, Tea for Women, Organic Cranberry Weight Loss Tea,

iHerb also has whole complexes of herbs with a diuretic effect.

They are more effective than regular herbs because they are herbal extracts and are more concentrated.

Solgar, Herbal Water Pill, 100 Veggie Caps, 100 Veggie Caps
Natrol, Water Pill, 60 Tablets
Now Foods, Water Out, Fluid Balance, 100 Veggie Caps
Zhou Nutrition, Water Away with Dandelion & Potassium, 60 Capsules

What is edema

The accumulation of excess fluid in soft tissue is called edema. It is formed as a result of disturbances in the flow of blood and lymph, which indicates pathologies of the kidneys, heart or thyroid gland. Liquid consists of water, protein and other substances.

Swelling occurs during pregnancy, injuries, fatigue of the limbs, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition.

There are some signs that there is a problem. The face and legs often swell. Symptoms of edema:

deep depression when pressing with a finger on the swollen area;
swelling of the eyelids in the morning;
inability to fasten boots or walk in usual shoes;
traces of elastic from socks after prolonged wear;
increase in limb diameter.

Causes of swelling on the face

It is important to correctly determine the cause of swelling. This will allow you to prescribe effective treatment. The face may become swollen for the following reasons:

Chronic lack of sleep. If a person does not get enough sleep, the circulation of fluid in the tissues is disrupted and it accumulates. The skin on the face is elastic, so it is the first to react to negative changes with the appearance of swelling, especially in the eye area.
Too much sleep (more than 10 hours). When a person sleeps for a long time, fluid is not removed from the body. To prevent severe stress on the bladder and liver, it begins to accumulate in the tissues.
Drinking plenty of water before bed. At night, all organs and systems of the human body slow down their work, and therefore are not able to process the incoming liquid in a timely manner.
Chronic fatigue. The body in this state greatly reduces its activity, which is why fluid ceases to be excreted normally and swelling appears.
Poor nutrition. Excessive or insufficient consumption of food, as well as ingestion of foods containing harmful impurities, leads to metabolic disorders. This contributes to the appearance of swelling.
Alcohol abuse. Drinking alcohol leads to fluid retention in the body and often causes thirst.
Dry indoor air. The skin begins to swell under the influence of such air.
Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. This disease leads to poor circulation and stagnation of lymph in the tissues.
Cardiovascular diseases.
Kidney diseases.
Allergy.
Pregnancy.
Oncological diseases.

In addition, edema can develop due to a hereditary predisposition of tissues to fluid accumulation. Various methods are used to relieve swelling.

Improving lymph circulation

Cosmetic lymphatic drainage massage of the face (if the problem is swelling of the face), and even better of the whole body (the effect will be maximum and will last longer) is an excellent express procedure that will help you quickly get in shape. A course of manual or hardware lymphatic drainage massage (usually recommended 10-15 procedures 1-3 times a week) will restore normal lymph movement, speed up metabolism, remove toxins and improve blood circulation, so you will forget about the problem for a long time.

A good lymphatic drainage effect is provided by “acupressure” and stone massages, microcurrent therapy, various algae wraps, and for swelling of the legs - pressotherapy.

A contrast shower will also help get rid of swelling (massage the body with a stream of water from bottom to top, along the course of the lymph flow), visiting a sauna or bathhouse: between visits to the steam room, do self-massage in the direction of the lymph flow with a massage glove or brush and also complete the steam program with a contrast shower. But not hot and not icy. Choose something in between! For example, according to experts from the International SPA Association, the ideal “upper” temperature is about 32–33°C, the lower temperature is about 23–24°C; this temperature regime is ideal for toning blood vessels, the circulatory system and lymph.

Nourishing energy essence Energizing Essence, Shiseido. Express mask for the skin around the eyes Eye Contour Mask, Sisley. “Anti-stress” mask for the skin around the eyes Stress Relief, Estee Lauder. Body cream with lipolytic and draining action Acti-Minceur, Lysedia. Draining algae body scrub Anti-Acqua Thalasso-Scrub, Collistar

Leg swelling in summer: norm and pathology, how to get rid of swelling, prevention of summer swelling

Prepared by: MedWeb

Leg swelling in summer: norm and pathology, how to get rid of swelling, prevention of summer swelling

Should everyone experience leg swelling in the summer heat? And in what case should you contact a specialist? Is it possible to avoid them? Are there universal means of achieving good results? We will consider these and other questions in this article.

swelling of the legs, summer

Summer swelling - normal or pathological?

An absolutely healthy person should not have edema even in extreme heat. However, among city residents, exhausted by daily stress, lack of sleep and other factors of an unhealthy lifestyle, the adaptive potential is reduced; the body cannot compensate for the excess water load. In this case, swelling occurs only in extreme heat, after a whole day spent on your feet, and by the morning it completely disappears.

If swelling lasts for several days, regularly reappears, is accompanied by pain in the legs, a feeling of heaviness and fullness, and gradually increases or spreads to other parts of the body, then you cannot do without consulting a doctor. Such swelling can be a consequence of varicose veins, heart failure, liver, kidney, blood and other diseases. To determine the cause of this phenomenon, an examination may be required: a general urine and blood test, a biochemical blood test, an ultrasound of the kidneys, heart, and an ECG.

How to get rid of swelling

Diuretic drugs?

A common mistake in getting rid of swelling is the use of diuretic medications. Although seemingly harmless, these drugs can cause significant harm to health. If taken incorrectly, they disrupt kidney function, overload the heart, cause dehydration, disrupt the water-salt balance of the body, and increase the risk of thrombosis (blockage of vital blood vessels). Therefore, without a doctor’s recommendation, you cannot take diuretics for summer edema.

Vegetables and fruits are the best medicines

You can strengthen your heart and kidneys and improve the removal of accumulated fluid from the body with the help of certain foods and drinks. Thus, dried fruits (dried apricots, prunes, dates) are rich in potassium, which strengthens the heart. Carrots, sea buckthorn, bell peppers, and greens contain large amounts of vitamin A, which is essential for proper kidney function in the heat. Strawberries, mulberries, plums, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, and watermelons have mild diuretic properties. By helping the body excrete excess fluid, these fruits and vegetables have a beneficial effect on the kidneys.

The benefits of herbal medicine

On hot days, it is permissible to resort to herbal medicine. Kidney tea or separately brewed juniper berries, lingonberry leaves, bearberry leaves, and dill seeds have a diuretic effect. However, you should use medicinal herbs in moderation, following the dosage and regimen indicated on the package, and also do not forget about contraindications.

How to help with summer leg swelling

Water treatments

Beauty salons and fitness clubs offer various water treatments to get rid of swelling of the legs. Some procedures can be done at home.

Cold and hot shower

In the evening, after returning from work, it is useful to arrange a contrast shower for your feet. Alternately pour warm and cool water over your legs - from the feet to the area just above the knee. Increase water pressure. Double temperature and mechanical effects on the skin of the legs improves blood circulation, increases the tone of blood and lymphatic vessels.

Sea salt bath

A foot bath with sea salt will quickly relieve swelling. First, the salt is dissolved in hot water, and then the solution is diluted to room temperature. To enhance the effect, it is useful to walk in a basin with saline solution for 5–10 minutes.

Walking barefoot

Walking barefoot on dew, wet sand or coastal stones has an excellent therapeutic and preventive effect.

Foot massage

The mechanical effect of massage on the feet and legs improves blood flow, strengthens muscles, and reduces fluid stagnation. For these purposes, you can use a massage mat, as well as other available means - a rolling pin, a bottle, a ball. Rolling them on the floor can effectively reduce swelling.

There are also different techniques for manual foot massage. Deep stroking movements relax tired muscles well and improve blood circulation. Massage movements should be directed along the course of venous blood and lymph: from the toes up to the knee joints.

Prevention of summer edema

To prevent swelling from restricting your legs, you will need:

Avoid shoes with high heels or flat soles, or shoes with tight straps and laces. Shoes should not hinder movement, squeeze superficial vessels, or tighten the leg. Otherwise, blood circulation and the work of the calf muscles are disrupted, which increases the risk of developing edema. It is permissible to wear high-heeled shoes for no more than 2–3 hours at a time, after which it is advisable to change your shoes. The ideal heel height is 3–4 cm.
Start every day with exercises for your legs. It is useful to make rolling movements from heel to toe and from toe to heel, to walk on the outer and inner sides of the foot, on toes and heels. Add the “bicycle” and “birch tree” exercises to your morning exercise routine, or simply lie down with your legs raised up.
Sitting at the table, you can make circular movements in the ankle joints every hour and a half. It is advisable to place a stand under your feet.
Move more. An active lifestyle strengthens the muscles of the legs and feet, which are a powerful pump that pumps venous blood up to the heart. Walking in the morning or evening, jogging or swimming leave no chance for swelling.
Maintain drinking regime. Lack of fluid in the body reduces sweating, reduces heat transfer, which threatens heat stroke. Excess fluid overloads the heart and remains under the skin in the form of edema. Therefore, it is important to find a middle ground.

Natalia DOLGOPOLOVA, general practitioner