Such an unpleasant phenomenon as heat edema is sometimes caused by the consumption of certain drinks and foods, and sometimes it appears for no reason. Is this a normal reaction of the body to hot weather or a symptom of a serious illness? Find the answer in this article.
What is Heat Edema
Heat swelling is usually associated with vasodilation during hot weather. If we trace the pathogenesis of this phenomenon from the very beginning, we will understand that the vessels dilate to cool the body. Dilated vessels allow more blood to pass through, which cools the entire body when in contact with the environment through the skin.
At the same time, under the influence of gravity, blood accumulates more in the vessels of the limbs, mostly in the lower ones, especially with a sedentary lifestyle, since muscle contractions promote the movement of blood through the veins of the extremities.
The pressure in the vessels rises and plasma begins to leak through the pores in the walls of the vessels into the intercellular fluid, causing swelling. This explains the connection between heat and swelling.
Who is at Risk?
Heat swelling risk factors include:
- Lack of acclimatization. Most often, heat edema appears in those who lack acclimatization. That is, a person is simply not ready for high temperatures. Heat edema is not common in people living in hot climates because they are accustomed to such weather conditions;
- Heart or kidney disease. Various problems with the heart or kidneys often provoke the appearance of swelling;
- Peripheral vascular diseases. People with conditions that cause vascular damage to the extremities are also at risk of developing edema hot weather. Examples of such conditions include obesity, obliterating endarteritis, atherosclerosis, DVT, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, etc.;
- Pregnancy. In this case, edema occurs due to the fact that a woman’s body works for two during this period. This increases the load on the kidneys, heart, and blood vessels. Especially when the pregnancy period falls during the hot season;
- Body position. The possibility of swelling in hot weather also depends on the person’s position. For example, it is very likely that your legs will become swollen if you stand all day;
- Medicines. There are a number of medications that increase the risk of swelling. These include medications that lower blood pressure, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, estrogens, etc.
Heat Edema Causes
Consider the list of swelling heat causes below. This will help you determine the underlying reason for your unpleasant condition:
- Blood thickening. When it’s hot, we lose more fluid. The blood becomes thicker, the outflow through the veins of the legs slows down, and as a result, swelling appears;
- Decreased physical activity. People usually move less in hot weather. Prolonged stay in a static position contributes to the appearance of edema;
- Water balance disturbance. The functioning of the venous system largely depends on the diet. Eating salty products, heavy foods, and fast carbohydrates makes the blood more viscous, which negatively affects its outflow. In addition, many people try to quench their thirst with tea, juice, sparkling water, or coffee, but they do not help restore fluid loss in the body;
- Uncomfortable shoes. Feet may swell due to uncomfortable shoes. When wearing high-heeled shoes, the calf muscles are overloaded and tense, so they stimulate venous outflow less effectively. Tight shoes put pressure on foot tissue and blood vessels, impairing blood circulation.
Symptoms of Heat Edema
The main symptoms of heat edema feet:
- Smooth, tight, shiny skin;
- Leaving a dent when pressing on the site of swelling;
- Discomfort in the limbs;
- Difficulty moving.
Pain and redness may indicate a more serious problem than heat edema. In such cases, we recommend seeking immediate medical help from a phlebologist.
Treatment of Heat Edema
If you want to treat heat edema at home, follow a few simple rules. Firstly, try to walk more so that your muscles work actively. Secondly, strictly monitor your diet. Every meal should be balanced. Drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day to ensure the normalization of metabolic processes. Thirdly, get rid of uncomfortable shoes. Give preference to orthopedic shoes, then the calf muscles will not be overly strained. Fourthly, engage in an active lifestyle. Swimming, light jogging, cycling, and Nordic walking can help prevent swelling. Fifthly, wear compression stockings, which improve venous blood flow.
Heat edema cure also involves using drugs. Lasix with the active ingredient furosemide quickly eliminates a swelling symptom caused by hot weather, chronic congestive heart failure, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, liver disease, and arterial hypertension. You should take it as your doctor recommends, but the dose usually ranges from 40 to 80 mg/day.
Heat Edema Prevention
The best way to reduce the risk of heat edema is to drink enough water (at least one and a half liters per day). It is also advisable to add more fruits and vegetables to the diet: they contain fiber, which will help remove excess fluid from the body.
In hot weather, you should stay in cool places as much as possible and choose comfortable clothes and shoes. Avoid wearing tight clothes and high-heeled shoes, which interfere with normal blood circulation, provoke swelling, and other health problems.
If you have a sedentary job, you need to take breaks, move, and walk regularly. In the morning and throughout the day, you can perform gymnastics for the legs. Simple exercises will help get rid of fluid stagnation, improve blood and lymph circulation.
Is Heat Edema Dangerous?
Every patient experiencing heat edema is concerned about whether this condition is dangerous. It is worth noting here that heat edema is not dangerous in most cases and does not cause serious harm to human health. However, this condition is dangerous if its causes lie in diseases such as diabetes, heart failure, and cirrhosis of the liver.
Summary
High temperature causes blood vessel dilation. Under the influence of gravity, fluid moves into the intercellular space and is retained there. If you drink too little water, your cells will retain as much fluid as possible, leading to swelling.
Women, older people, and overweight patients are most susceptible to edema. Fluid retention in the intercellular space is also provoked by some diseases, for example, hypertension, varicose veins, renal failure, etc. But you can avoid complications associated with heat edema by adhering to simple preventive measures and strictly following your doctor’s prescription. Take care of your health and everything will be fine!
FAQ
How do you get rid of heat edema?
To get rid of heat edema, try to eat right, drink plenty of water, wear comfortable clothes and shoes, engage in physical activity, and use compression stockings. You can also try medication treatment. Lasix is effective in this case.
Is heat edema serious?
Heat edema is not serious unless it is caused by some dangerous disease in the body such as diabetes, cirrhosis of the liver, and heart failure.
Does drinking water help heat edema?
Drinking water helps heat edema. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water per day.
Is it normal for your body to swell in the heat?
Mild swelling of the body in hot weather is normal.