Doctor explained how to distinguish edema from excess weight

Often excess weight is not fat at all, but water that is retained in tissues for various reasons. As BAKU.WS reports, endocrinologist Anna Oderiy told "Gazeta.Ru" about how to distinguish edema from excess weight and what health problems they may signal.

According to the medical expert, edema is a condition when excess fluid accumulates in tissues. In a normal state, water in the body has a strict distribution between vessels, cells, and intercellular space. Disruption of this balance leads to fluid leaving the vessels and remaining in tissues.

The specialist emphasizes that the causes of edema can range from simple excess salt in the diet to serious diseases. It's important to understand: edema is not an independent disease, but a symptom indicating an imbalance between fluid intake and elimination in the body.

"In particular, edema may indicate heart problems - blood stagnates in the lower extremities, and by evening the legs become heavy and shoes tight. Kidney problems - fluid is not properly eliminated, which is why morning swelling under the eyes appears more often. Decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) - edema is dense, skin becomes pale and cool, face takes on a 'mask-like' expression. Hormonal fluctuations - for example, before menstruation or during pregnancy," the doctor explained.

The endocrinologist also notes that edema can occur as a side effect of certain medications - glucocorticoids, antidepressants, and calcium channel blockers.

The expert shared simple ways to distinguish edema from fat deposits, although externally they may look similar:

Variability throughout the day - with edema, body volume can change: in the morning the face swells, in the evening - the legs. Fat deposits don't "move" like this during the day.

Simple finger test - carefully press on the skin of the shin or foot: if a pit remains that slowly straightens out, it's edema. With fat deposits, the skin is simply elastic.

Rate of weight gain - with edema, weight can "jump" by 1-2 kg literally in a day or two. Fat doesn't accumulate that quickly.

Sensations - with edema, there's often a feeling of heaviness, distension, clothes and shoes become tight.

"It's definitely necessary to see a specialist if: edema appears without an obvious cause and persists for more than a few days; weight increases by 2-3 kg in a short period; there's shortness of breath, weakness, rapid heartbeat; edema is dense, doesn't go away even after sleep; there's already a diagnosis of thyroid, heart or kidney disease. You can start with a general practitioner who will refer you to a cardiologist, nephrologist, or endocrinologist, depending on the suspected cause," advised the endocrinologist.

The doctor also recommends a number of measures that help independently reduce the severity of edema: controlling fluid intake, limiting salt consumption, increasing physical activity. At the same time, the specialist cautions against taking diuretics on your own without consulting a doctor.

"Edema is not just a cosmetic defect or 'excess weight.' It's the body's signal that the internal balance of fluid intake and elimination has been disturbed. It's important to understand the cause in order to treat not the consequence, but eliminate the source of the problem. If weight increases without changes in diet and there are the above-mentioned signs of edema - don't look for a 'magic remedy,' find a competent doctor," emphasized the endocrinologist.