Hyperemia

If there is a noticeable amount of blood in any part of the body and it becomes reddened with swelling, it is called one Hyperemia. Often times, a blood vessel has dilated due to irritation, an insect bite, or inflammation. Hyperemia can also be created artificially.

What is hyperemia?

Artificially induced hyperemia can have therapeutic benefits and is used, for example, in hydro, electrical stimulation or electrotherapy, but also in orthopedics for the treatment of muscle strains.
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The definition of a Hyperemia is therefore:

In contrast to ischemia, which is caused by an insufficient supply of blood, as in Raynaud's disease, hyperemia is characterized by an oversupply of blood.

Certain organs or a part of tissue are affected by the increased blood flow. This increased blood flow becomes visible through bluish or reddish discoloration of the skin. In addition, the affected skin area is particularly warm.

causes

The causes of a Hyperemia often result from inflammation or irritation. In the event of an infection, there is a rush of blood at the appropriate point. One then speaks of an endogenous hyperemia because the cause lies in the body itself. In addition, abnormalities or problems in the blood circulation are possible causes of hyperemia.

However, exogenous or external causes can also trigger hyperemia. For example, you can create hyperemia by applying a vasodilator or blood circulation-enhancing ointment or by taking a PDE-5 inhibitor such as Viagra. A similar effect can be achieved by applying ointments with insecticide or chili peppers to treat lumbago.

Exogenous hyperemia is used, for example, in capillary blood gas analysis, but also when increased blood flow to a part of the body is desired. Reactive hyperemia is when the blood flow in the arm is blocked with a cuff to measure blood pressure.

Reactive hyperemia can also occur after exposure to the cold. In the case of Raynaud's disease, the fingers and toes evacuate blood in attacks. This phenomenon manifests itself as white, bloodless fingers and toes. Then suddenly painful blood rushes or hyperaemia may occur in the limbs.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

With hyperemia, there is increased blood flow to certain organs and regions in the body, so that the affected areas can often turn reddish to bluish in color. Affected people also complain of an uncomfortable feeling of warmth that occurs with persistent hyperemia. If such hyperemia remains without any treatment, permanent damage to the skin tissue can occur.

The already mentioned feeling of warmth lasts as long as the hyperemia persists. Under certain circumstances, individual blood vessels can even burst if the pressure becomes too great as a result of such excessive bleeding. In extreme cases, the bleeding can even penetrate to the outside, so that medical care is essential. Another symptom of hyperemia is a constant feeling of pressure that occurs immediately in the affected area.

The large flow of blood usually also creates a general malaise, so that affected people often come across as very weak and sick. Smaller or larger swellings are another symptom of hyperemia. The congestion of blood causes swelling because the blood cannot circulate properly in the body. Medicinal and medical treatment is often necessary to eliminate these symptoms. Otherwise a considerable increase and intensification of the individual symptoms can be expected.

Diagnosis & course

Diagnosis and course of Hyperemia must be assessed differently. Artificially induced hyperemia can have therapeutic benefits and is used, for example, in hydro, electrical stimulation or electrotherapy, but also in orthopedics for the treatment of muscle strains.

No diagnosis related to hyperemia is required here. Hyperemia can also develop after physical exertion or as a result of insect bites. But it has no disease value. The reddening disappears as spontaneously as it came. Hyperemia is also the name given to the reaction of the male body to the use of Viagra and similar sexual enhancers, which increase the amount of blood in the penis.

If there is a rush of blood orIf, however, hyperemia occurs for no apparent reason and without being triggered by a therapist, an insect or a drug that increases blood flow, one should think of inflammation. Medical diagnostics are useful here. The course of hyperemia depends on the diagnosis and treatment.

Complications

Hyperemia causes excessive accumulation of blood in a specific area of ​​the body. This accumulation does not necessarily have to be associated with particular complaints or complications, but in some cases can also be life-threatening. This is the case, for example, when hyperemia occurs due to high blood pressure and it is not treated.

In the worst case, this can lead to a heart attack and thus to death of the patient. Insect bites can also be responsible for the hyperemia, with the symptoms usually disappearing on their own without complications. If the blood builds up, it can lead to serious diseases of the heart or liver, which can be life-threatening for the patient.

Often times, symptoms do not appear immediately, which makes early treatment difficult. The treatment of hyperemia does not have to be done in every case. Often the symptom occurs after prolonged physical activity and does not lead to any complications. If high blood pressure occurs, appropriate medication must be taken to resolve it. As a rule, life expectancy is not restricted by the disease.

When should you go to the doctor?

The person concerned should consult a doctor as soon as he notices congestion of the blood in the organism. If the congestion increases or spreads, see a doctor as soon as possible. If severe discoloration of the skin persists without a fall or a bruise, a check-up with a doctor is necessary. If there is swelling or a feeling of pressure inside the body, the signs should be examined and treated.

Since the patient can die prematurely without medical care, a doctor should be consulted if he or she feels ill, has disorders of the heart rhythm, has interrupted sleep or if he feels generally unwell. If functional disorders occur, digestive problems or breathing irregularities occur, a doctor's visit is advisable. With cold feet or cold fingers, circulatory disorders are often the cause that make an examination necessary.

A drop in the normal level of performance, a feeling of fullness or a feeling of heaviness must be assessed by a doctor. If you experience a headache, internal heat or sweating, a visit to a doctor is recommended. If you have emotional difficulties, mood swings, or increased irritability, a doctor is needed. If there is a loss of consciousness or a sudden breakdown, the emergency services must be alerted. There is an emergency that requires life-saving measures.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Treatment is available for some forms of Hyperemia not necessary. For example, if you have a noticeable rush of blood after strength training, internal excitement or after a sauna session, this usually has no disease value.

An insect bite is cooled. If it becomes infected, ointments must be used. Desensitization therapy can be considered if there is an allergic tendency. Viagra-induced rush of blood is contraindicated in high blood pressure diseases. It can take different lengths of time and does not require therapy if the sexual enhancer is used properly.

Inflammation-related hyperemia must be treated. Therapy is canceled depending on whether the inflammation is superficial or deep in the body. If there is inflammation on the surface, decongestant, cooling or anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied. If the cause is deeper, the therapy has to be different.

In the case of passive hyperemia - for example venous blood congestion or thrombosis, heart failure or liver cirrhosis - the cause must be determined and treated accordingly. In such cases, hyperemia is a concomitant symptom that is to be viewed as an indicator of a deeper disease.

prevention

A prevention against the occurrence of a Hyperemia there is no such thing. A healthy lifestyle with lots of exercise and good nutrition helps prevent almost all diseases.

Aftercare

Like treatment, follow-up care for hyperemia depends on where the inflammation is located. For the therapy and follow-up treatment of superficial inflammation, cooling and decongestant ointments are usually sufficient, which inhibit the infection. In the case of deeper causes, on the other hand, there is another follow-up care based on the previous medical therapy.

Cold packs are also suitable for cooling superficially affected areas. Other home remedies such as tea tree oil and basil can also help relieve skin irritation and pain. There are also homeopathic remedies available, for example products based on arnica or bryan beet.

If the typical rush of blood is due to a Viaga overdose, it will go away after a while without treatment. Nevertheless, those affected should consider whether another remedy is better for them. If symptoms occur more frequently, an appointment at the doctor's office is advisable.

Here the doctor clarifies the patient's health conditions and makes appropriate recommendations. Otherwise, the risk for those affected can increase, especially in connection with heart failure, thrombosis or liver cirrhosis. A health-conscious lifestyle with sufficient physical activity and a nutrient-rich menu is always beneficial.

You can do that yourself

Hyperemia does not necessarily require medical treatment. If the accumulation of blood occurs after an insect bite, it is usually sufficient to cool the affected area. If the sting becomes infected, an ointment can be applied. The same applies to inflammation-related hyperemia. In addition to the use of cold packs, there are also various home remedies.

For example, the affected area of ​​skin can be treated with tea tree oil or fresh basil. Proven alternatives from homeopathy are globules with arnica, bryan beet or poison sumac. The rush of blood as a result of a Viagra overdose disappears by itself after a few minutes to hours. However, you should consider switching to another drug.

If you have regular complaints, a visit to the doctor is indicated. If there is passive hyperemia - for example due to heart failure, liver cirrhosis or thrombosis - a doctor should be consulted. Those affected should determine possible causes themselves and inform the doctor about them. If the underlying disease is already known, the treatment may have to be adjusted. If hyperemia occurs without an identifiable cause, the affected person should promptly consult a doctor and have the blood rush examined.