Do you sometimes look in the mirror and think, "Oh, my face has gotten bigger and rounder?" Do you feel like your cheeks have become fuller and your face has changed shape, like a full moon? This is what we medically call 'Moon Face' or 'Moon Facies'. This is usually not dangerous, but it is very important for you to know what causes it and what you can do about it.
Simply put, what is this 'Moon Face'?
'Moon Face' is a condition where fat deposits accumulate on the sides of your face, causing your face to become puffy and round. This can sometimes be so severe that your ears can be barely visible when you look straight ahead. Some people also call it 'Cortisol Face', as it is mainly caused by a hormone called cortisol . Although this condition is not painful, it can affect your self-confidence slightly because of the change in appearance.
What are the main reasons for the emergence of 'Moon Face'?
There are several main reasons that contribute to the appearance of 'Moon Face'. Let's look at them one by one.
1. Long-term use of steroid drugs
This is the most common and main cause of 'Moon Face'. This condition can occur especially if you use steroid medications like `(Prednisone)` for a long time. Doctors prescribe these steroid medications for various medical conditions. For example:
- Some cancers (such as blood cancers, lymph node cancers)
- For inflammatory conditions like arthritis and asthma
- For autoimmune diseases like lupus
- For skin diseases
When you take steroids like this for a long time, it affects your adrenal glands, causing them to produce more of a hormone called cortisol . Over time, this hormonal imbalance can lead to weight gain, water retention, and fat deposits around the face. The result is the 'Moon Face' condition.
2. Cushing's Syndrome
This is also a hormone-related condition. It occurs when your body naturally produces too much of the hormone cortisol . It can also be caused by taking steroid medications. It can also be caused by stress, tumors in the pituitary gland or adrenal gland.
3. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This hormone helps our body break down sugar molecules. So, when there is not enough of the hormone, these sugar molecules can be deposited under the skin. Since these sugar molecules attract water, the water in the body is retained and the face swells.
How is this condition diagnosed and treated?
If you are taking a steroid medication like `(Prednisone)`, your doctor can easily tell that this is the cause of your `Moon Face`. However, if you are not taking such medication, you will need to do some tests to find the cause.
| Test type | Description |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Blood tests, urine tests, and cortisol levels. You may also have a CT scan or MRI scan . |
| Treatment | Treatment depends entirely on the cause.
|
Very important thing!
If you are taking steroids, never stop taking them suddenly or change the dosage without first consulting your doctor. Doing so can cause your body's cortisol levels to drop suddenly, causing serious side effects such as extreme fatigue, mouth sores, and weakness.
What can I do to control 'Moon Face'?
While it's difficult to completely prevent 'moon face', there are some simple things you can do to reduce the appearance of puffiness.
- Reduce salt intake: Reduce the amount of salt you add to your food. Canned and packaged foods (processed foods) are high in salt, so reduce them as much as possible. Salt causes water retention in the body, which increases swelling.
- Drink plenty of water: You might think that drinking water when you're already bloated will make you bloated even more. But the opposite is actually true. When you're dehydrated, your body tries to hold onto whatever water it has. So drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Talk to your doctor and develop a meal and exercise plan that works for you. When you lose weight throughout your body, you will also lose fat from your face.
- Get enough sleep: Even a lack of sleep can increase facial swelling. Therefore, it is important to get a good night's sleep.
Should I talk to the doctor about this?
Yes, absolutely. If you feel embarrassed, embarrassed, or sad about your 'Moon Face', don't keep it to yourself. Our appearance, especially our face, has a huge impact on our self-confidence. So talk to your doctor about it openly. Then he or she can:
- See if you can find an alternative to the steroid medication you are taking.
- Let me tell you about other ways to reduce swelling.
- Please give me the advice I need to put your mind at ease.
Take-Home Message
- 'Moon Face' is usually a side effect of medications such as steroids or a symptom of a medical condition such as 'Cushing's Syndrome' or 'Hypothyroidism'.
- Although this is not dangerous, it can have psychological effects because it changes your appearance.
- Treatment depends on the cause, so it's essential to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
- Most importantly: Never stop taking steroid medication or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- Simple lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake and drinking plenty of water, can help control facial swelling.
- If you feel uncomfortable about your appearance, never hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What is Heart Palpitations? Is this dangerous?
It's normal to feel scared when a dog jumps/when you're going to take an exam! But 'Heart Palpitations' is a very disturbing condition where your heart suddenly starts beating at a crazy speed (more than 100 beats per minute) for no reason/while you're sleeping in bed, and you hear the sound of your heart going 'dug dug dug' (Racing/pounding heart). This is the biggest warning sign of an electrical problem in the heart (Arrhythmia)!
💬 What are the main causes of sudden heart palpitations for no reason?
The main reasons for this are: 1) 'Anxiety / Panic Attacks' - the mental fear of dying. 2) 'Coffee and drugs (Caffeine/Nicotine/Cocaine)' drinking too much. 3) The thyroid gland working abnormally fast (Hyperthyroidism). 4) The most dangerous reason: 'Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)', a serious disease of the heart's electrical system (this can cause blood clots and stroke!).
💬 When you have chest pain, you should call an ambulance immediately, without panicking and getting drenched in water. What are the 'fatal/emergencies'?
It's okay if a normal heart attack goes away on its own in a few minutes. But the biggest danger! If the heart attack is accompanied by 1) unbearable pain in the middle of the chest (Chest pain / Heart Attack), 2) difficulty breathing (Shortness of breath), 3) dizziness, blue eyes, loss of consciousness (Fainting / Syncope), and sweating and feeling cold, you should immediately go to the emergency department of the hospital (to get an ECG)!
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