When a noticeable amount of blood is gathered in any part of the body and redness with swelling develops, it is called hyperemia. Often, a blood vessel has dilated due to irritation, an insect bite, or inflammation. Hyperemia can also be produced artificially.
What is hyperemia?
The definition of hyperemia is consequently:
As opposed to ischemia, which results from an undersupply of blood as in Raynaud’s disease, hyperemia is characterized by an oversupply of blood. Affected by the increased blood flow are specific organs or a tissue area. This increased blood flow is visible through bluish or reddish discoloration of the skin. In addition, the affected area of skin is particularly warm.
Causes
The causes of hyperemia often lie in inflammation or irritation. In the case of an infection, a rush of blood occurs at the corresponding site. This is called endogenous hyperemia because the cause is within the body. In addition, anomalies or problems in the blood circulation are possible causes of hyperemia. However, exogenous or external causes can also trigger hyperemia. For example, one can produce hyperemia by applying a vasodilator or circulation-enhancing ointment or by taking a PDE-5 inhibitor such as Viagra. A similar effect can be achieved by applying ointments containing insect venom or chili peppers to treat lumbago. Exogenous hyperemia is used, for example, in capillary blood gas analysis, but also when more blood flow to a part of the body is desired. We speak of reactive hyperemia when the blood flow in the arm is constricted with a cuff to measure blood pressure. Reactive hyperemia can also occur after exposure to cold. In the vascular disease Raynaud’s disease, the fingers and toes are emptied of blood in fits and starts. This phenomenon is noticeable by white, bloodless fingers and toes. Then, sudden painful spurts of blood or hyperemia may occur in the limbs.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Hyperemia results in increased blood flow to certain organs and regions in the body, so affected areas can often turn reddish to bluish. Affected individuals also complain of an unpleasant feeling of warmth, which occurs when hyperemia persists. If such hyperemia remains without any treatment, permanent damage to the skin tissue may result. The aforementioned feeling of warmth lasts as long as the hyperemia persists. Under certain circumstances, individual blood vessels may even burst if the pressure becomes too great as a result of such hyperemia. In extreme cases, the bleeding may even leak outward, making medical attention essential. Another symptom of hyperemia is a constantly persistent feeling of pressure that occurs immediately in the affected region. The large flow of blood usually also causes a general feeling of indisposition, so that affected persons often appear very weakened and ill. Smaller or even larger swellings are another symptom of hyperemia. The congestion of blood causes swelling because the blood cannot circulate properly in the body. Medication and medical treatment is often necessary to eliminate these symptoms. Otherwise, a significant increase and amplification of the individual symptoms can be expected.
Diagnosis and course
The diagnosis and course of hyperemia must be evaluated differently. Artificially induced hyperemia may have therapeutic benefits and is used, for example, in hydrotherapy, stimulation current therapy, or electrotherapy, as well as in orthopedics for the treatment of muscle strains. Here, no diagnosis related to hyperemia is required. Hyperemia can also occur after physical stress or as a result of insect bites. However, it has no pathological value. The redness disappears as spontaneously as it appeared. Hyperemia is also the reaction of the male body to the use of Viagra and similar sexual enhancers, which increase the blood flow in the penis. However, if a rush of blood or hyperemia appears without any visible reason and without being triggered by a therapist, an insect or a blood flow-increasing drug, one should think of an inflammation. In this case, medical diagnostics are useful. The course of hyperemia depends on the diagnosis and treatment.
Complications
Hyperemia causes an excessive accumulation of blood in a specific area of the body. This accumulation does not necessarily have to be associated with particular symptoms or complications, but in some cases it can become life-threatening. This is the case, for example, when hyperemia occurs due to high blood pressure and is not treated. In the worst case, this can lead to a heart attack and thus to the death of the patient. Furthermore, insect bites can also be responsible for hyperemia, although the symptoms usually disappear on their own without complications. If the blood accumulates, serious diseases of the heart or liver can occur, which can be life-threatening for the patient. Symptoms often do not appear immediately, making early treatment difficult. Treatment of hyperemia does not have to occur in every case. Often, the symptom occurs after endurance sports activity with no complications. If hyperemia does occur, appropriate medications must be taken to relieve it. As a rule, life expectancy is not limited by the disease.
When should you go to the doctor?
The affected person should consult a doctor as soon as he notices congestion of blood in the organism. If the congestion increases or spreads further, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. If, in the absence of a fall or bruise, severe discoloration of the skin occurs repeatedly, 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 without medical care the patient may die prematurely, a doctor should be consulted in case of a feeling of illness, disturbances of the heart rhythm, sleep interruptions or a general feeling of malaise. If dysfunctions occur, there are problems with digestion or irregularities in breathing, a visit to the doctor is advisable. In the case of cold feet or cold fingers, circulatory problems are often the cause, making an examination necessary. A drop in the usual level of performance, a feeling of fullness or heaviness, should be examined by a doctor. If headaches, internal heat or sweating occur, a visit to the doctor is recommended. If there are emotional difficulties, mood swings or increased irritability, a doctor is needed. If there are disturbances of consciousness or a sudden collapse, emergency medical services must be alerted. An emergency exists that requires life-saving measures.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment is not necessary for some forms of hyperemia. For example, if one has a noticeable rush of blood after weight training, internal excitation, or a sauna session, it usually has no clinical value. An insect bite is cooled. If it becomes inflamed, ointments must be applied. In case of allergic tendency, desensitization therapy can be considered. Viagra-induced blood rush is contraindicated in hypertensive diseases. It can last for varying periods of time and, if the sexual enhancer is used appropriately, does not in itself require therapy. Hyperemia due to inflammation must be treated. Depending on whether the inflammation is superficial or deep in the body, the therapy will differ. If the inflammation is on the surface, decongestant, cooling or anti-inflammatory ointments can be applied. But if the cause is deeper, the therapy must be different. In the case of passive hyperemia – for example, venous blood stasis or thrombosis, heart failure or liver cirrhosis – the cause must be determined and treated accordingly. In such cases, hyperemia is a concomitant symptom that should be considered indicative of a deeper disease.
Prevention
As such, there is no prevention against the occurrence of hyperemia. However, a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and a good diet, helps to prevent almost all diseases.
Aftercare
Like treatment, aftercare for hyperemia depends on where the inflammation is located. For therapy and aftercare of superficial inflammation, cooling and decongestant ointments that inhibit infection are usually sufficient. In the case of deeper causes, on the other hand, aftercare is different and is 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 to relieve the skin irritation and pain. Furthermore, homeopathic remedies are available, for example products based on arnica or fence beet. If the typical rush of blood has arisen due to a Viaga overdose, it will disappear after a while even without treatment. Nevertheless, sufferers should consider whether another remedy is better for them. If complaints occur more frequently, an appointment at the doctor’s office is advisable. Here the physician clarifies the patient’s health circumstances and makes appropriate recommendations. Particularly in connection with heart failure, thrombosis or cirrhosis of the liver, the risk for those affected may otherwise increase. A health-conscious lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a nutrient-rich diet is beneficial in any case.
What you can do 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 inflamed, an ointment can be applied. The same applies to hyperemia caused by inflammation. In addition to the application of cold packs, various home remedies are also available. For example, the affected skin area can be treated with tea tree oil or fresh basil. Proven alternatives from homeopathy are globules with arnica, fence beet or poison ivy. Blood swelling as a result of a Viagra overdose disappears by itself after a few minutes to hours. Nevertheless, a change to another medication should be considered. In case of regular complaints, a visit to the doctor is indicated. If passive hyperemia is present – for example, due to heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver or thrombosis – a physician should be consulted. Affected persons should determine possible causes themselves and inform the physician. If the underlying disease is already known, treatment may need to be adjusted. If hyperemia occurs without an identifiable cause, the affected person should see a physician promptly and have the accumulation of blood examined.
