Postoperative edema
One of the common phenomena after surgical treatment is edema, which can cause a lot of inconvenience to the patient. Edema can appear even after a minor surgical intervention due to a violation of the integrity of the tissues. In the absence of timely treatment, many complications may develop, so it is important to know how to deal with swelling after surgery .
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Causes of edema
Edema can form both after the operation, and with any damage to the integrity of body tissues. However, after surgery, the damage is usually quite serious, so the body's reaction is a strong swelling of the tissues.
Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body or between the tissue space. After surgery, local edema is predominantly formed, provoked by the influx of lymph to the destroyed tissues. The reason for the appearance of postoperative edema is the active work of the immune system, the functioning of which is aimed at maintaining the normal state of the body after the destruction of its integrity.
In some cases, the cause of edema after surgery is inflammatory processes that progress in the human body. In such a situation, there is a rise in body temperature and staining of the skin in red. The severity of edema after surgery may be insignificant, or, conversely, quite bright. This is determined by the following factors:
- the duration of the operation and its complexity;
- individual characteristics of the organism;
- the state of the immune system;
- compliance with the rules of the rehabilitation period.
to remove the swelling after the operation as soon as possible, and there are no preventive measures against such an unpleasant phenomenon. In order to speed up the recovery of the patient after surgery, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the doctor and refuse self-medication.
Most often, edema appears 2-3 days after surgery and begins to decrease over time. How long does the swelling subside after surgery , depends on both the complexity of the surgical intervention and the individual characteristics of the organism. If edema persists for a long time, it is necessary to seek help from a qualified specialist who will identify the causes of such a pathological condition and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Methods for the treatment of edema of the lower extremities
In order to understand how to relieve swelling after surgery , it is necessary to identify the cause of this condition and exclude thrombosis. With such a pathology, blood seals accumulate in the venous vessels and arteries, and in the absence of effective treatment, side effects may develop. To confirm thrombosis, ultrasound and, in particular, scanning are performed. After assessing the patient's condition, if necessary, medications are prescribed that cause blood thinning and relieve swelling.
To eliminate swelling of the legs, the following procedures can be prescribed:
- Compression jersey. After the operation, it is recommended to wear special knitted tights or stockings, thanks to which it is possible to relieve swelling.
- lymphatic drainage. After surgery, a specialist performs a manual massage, which includes light stroking of the feet and lower extremities, as well as a deep effect on the lymph nodes.
- Diet. Many specialists in the postoperative period recommend following a special diet, which is based on reducing the amount of water and drinks in the diet. Compliance with such a strict diet can reduce the risk of swelling of the legs and speed up the recovery of the patient.
- Taking medications. With increased swelling of the lower extremities and feet due to varicose veins, specialists can prescribe special diuretic drugs, with the help of which it is possible to eliminate the resulting dysfunction. When asked by patients how to relieve swelling after surgery , doctors most often prescribe Lasix and Furosemide, thanks to which the body manages to get rid of the accumulated fluid.
It is important to remember that only a doctor should select any measures to eliminate swelling of the legs. Any self-treatment can not only not eliminate the pathology, but also aggravate the patient's condition even more.
How to remove postoperative swelling of the face?
To get rid of swelling of the face after surgery, you can use some recommendations:
Limit the use of hot water. After the operation, it is not allowed to take a hot bath or shower, and you will also have to refuse to wash with too warm water. A contrast shower is considered an effective remedy, thanks to which it is possible to free the tissues from the accumulation of fluid. After surgery, it is not allowed to be outdoors for a long time, as this can provoke an increase in swelling.
- Use of cold compresses. A few days after surgery, it is recommended to apply cold compresses to the face or its individual zones for several hours. As an alternative to relieve swelling after surgery, you can use chilled cabbage leaves.
- Complete nutrition. In the postoperative period, it is necessary to exclude from the patient's diet those products that can provoke the appearance of tissue swelling. It is not allowed to consume large amounts of liquid and eat salty food at night. You will have to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, as they impair blood circulation and thereby cause an increase in edema.
- Control of physical activity. After surgery, it is necessary to abandon any physical and emotional stress on the body. The fact is that any stress or severe overwork can provoke a further increase in edema.
- Rest and rest. After surgery, you need to take care of proper rest and complete rest. It is important to remember that during sleep you need to keep your head slightly elevated. In addition, you need to avoid facial tension and give up training in the gym. For some time, you will have to postpone morning jogging and other types of physical activities.
In the event that it was not possible to get rid of the postoperative swelling of the soft tissues of the face, then it is necessary to seek the advice of a specialist. Perhaps, to solve such a problem, additional exercises or massages will be required, thanks to which it turns out to reduce puffiness. To eliminate the pathology, a specialist may prescribe a diuretic to remove the fluid that has accumulated in the body. In advanced cases, hormonal drugs can be used, but under the supervision of a doctor.
How to remove postoperative edema with folk remedies?
get rid of tissue edema after surgery both with the help of conservative therapy and folk remedies. It must be remembered that resorting to the help of such prescriptions is allowed after consultation with a specialist.
You can remove the swelling of the lower extremities using the following means:
- use infusions of chamomile or St. John's wort;
- rub the inflamed areas of the skin with tincture of valerian;
- rub olive oil into swollen tissues;
- apply vinegar compresses.
You can quickly get rid of postoperative swelling of the face at home using proven methods:
- wipe the entire face or its individual parts with a piece of ice, which is prepared from infusion of tea or chamomile;
- make a face mask by brewing a few tablespoons of green tea, and wipe the inflamed tissues with the resulting solution;
- Cucumber or raw potatoes help relieve postoperative swelling
Edema after surgery does not pose a serious danger to human health and life. However, it is necessary to quickly get rid of this problem, which will prevent the development of dangerous complications in the future. Before removing swelling after surgery , you need to consult with a specialist.