Adjusting Your Sleeping Habits
Sleep on your back to decrease the pressure on your face. Sleeping on your back is generally the best position if you're concerned about waking up with a puffy face or wrinkles (also called "sleep lines"). These issues can be caused by sleeping on your stomach or your side, which puts pressure on your skin. If you're young and healthy, your sleeping position isn't necessarily that big of a deal. However, as you get older, you'll tend to notice differences in your skin.
Prop up on 2 pillows to encourage fluid drainage. Even if you're not sleeping on your back, adding another pillow elevates your face so that fluid won't pool there. Provided your puffy face isn't caused by something else, you should notice improvement after a couple of nights. Be conscious of your sleeping position. If propping yourself up also puts your neck at an odd angle, you might wake up with neck or shoulder pain. Get yourself situated so your neck isn't crunched.
Drink a glass of water before you go to bed each night. Even if you drink plenty of water throughout the day, an extra glass of water before you go to sleep can help keep your skin hydrated. Better hydration results in less fluid retention, which can cause a puffy face. An extra glass of water (or two) is especially important if you had a drink or two earlier in the evening. The water can help counter the dehydrating effect of alcohol.
Try meditation to calm your mind before bed. Stress can also cause a puffy face in the morning. If you find yourself tossing and turning or have a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep, a meditation practice might help. It doesn't need to be anything formal — just turn off the lights and sit or lie down on your bed. Remain completely still and focus on your breathing. You might try one of the free smartphone apps with guided meditations to help promote calmness. Many sleep apps also have audio guided meditations that can help relax your mind and body and get you ready for sleep. The harder you try to force falling asleep, the harder it can be. If you're having trouble falling asleep, making the decision to just rest and meditate can take some of the pressure off.
Making Dietary Changes
Eat fresh fruit and low-fat dairy foods daily. Fresh fruit and low-fat dairy foods, such as yogurt and milk, contain vitamin B5, calcium, and vitamin D. These nutrients help your body naturally release excess fluids, which can decrease the puffiness in your face. Try including a serving of each with every meal. For example, you might have some yogurt with strawberries for breakfast or grapes and cheese at lunch.
Cut back on dehydrating drinks such as coffee, tea, and alcohol. While it might seem counterintuitive, your body is more likely to retain water if you're dehydrated. Reducing your consumption of drinks with caffeine and alcohol will leave you better hydrated, which can help prevent waking up with a puffy face. In particular, avoid drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages right before bed. This increases the chances that you'll be dehydrated while you sleep. If you do end up drinking late, drink twice as much water alongside the dehydrating beverage of your choice.
Drink water throughout the day to stay hydrated. While the specific amount of water you need varies depending on your body size, age, and activity level, aim for 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) a day if you're male-bodied or 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) if you're female-bodied. This amount includes water that you would get from foods and other beverages. If you exercise and sweat a lot, drink more water. The same goes if you drink something dehydrating, such as coffee or alcohol.
Avoid salty and sugary foods and beverages. Salt and sugar encourage your body to retain water, which in turn leads to puffiness — even if you're otherwise well-hydrated. Stay away from particularly salty foods like potato chips and pretzels, and avoid adding salt to other foods you eat. Processed foods, such as fast food and frozen dinners, often have a lot more salt and sugar than you think. Stick to whole foods as much as possible. It might take you a few minutes longer to prepare your meals, but your body (and face) will thank you.
Seeking Medical Attention
Try an over-the-counter antihistamine if you think you have an allergy. Facial swelling can happen overnight if you're allergic to something in your bed or bedroom. If you think you've come into contact with something you're allergic to, an over-the-counter antihistamine, available at any grocery store or pharmacy, could provide instant relief. This is more likely if you're sleeping in a different place, such as a friend's home or a hotel, but it could also happen if you've changed something recently, such as using a different laundry detergent you've never used before. If you have difficulty breathing due to an allergic reaction, seek medical attention immediately. A puffy face is one of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency treatment.
Contact your doctor immediately if the swelling is sudden or painful. Some vague puffiness in the morning when you wake up might be annoying, but it's not usually a big deal medically. However, if the swelling comes on suddenly, or if your skin is tender or burning, there might be a more severe underlying cause. In the case of an allergic reaction, you might also have difficulty breathing. On the other hand, if you have a fever, or if your skin is red and tender, that suggests that you have some sort of infection.
Find out if your puffiness is a drug reaction. If you started waking up with a puffy face around the same time you started a new medication, your puffiness might be a reaction to the drug. Check the drug information for possible side effects or call your doctor or pharmacist and ask. As far as side effects go, a little facial puffiness is relatively mild and generally no cause for concern. However, if it really bothers you, talk to your doctor about switching to a different medication.
Take blood and urine tests as recommended by your doctor. Facial edema is a symptom. Before your doctor can treat it, they need to identify the underlying cause. This might involve blood and urine tests, X-rays, or liver and kidney function tests. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and your family's medical history, as well as any other symptoms you might have, so they can determine what tests to give you. The idea that you might have problems with your liver or kidneys can be scary. However, early detection makes these issues easier to treat.
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