…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
Claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s face has become more “puffy” in recent years have been circulating for some time, with a top political cartoonist suggesting that plastic surgery might be the cause.
However, a doctor has weighed in on the issue, explaining that a puffy face can be a sign of a serious underlying condition in some cases.
The Doctor’s Analysis
Dr. Gareth Nye, a program lead for Medical Science at Chester Medical School, explained that a puffy face can be caused by several factors, ranging from the acute to the chronic.
He added that age can play a significant role, as the skin tends to sag and get loose, allowing fat deposits to move lower than before.
This can give the appearance of a puffy face in the lower half around the chin and neck.
Other Possible Causes
Dr. Nye also mentioned that allergies or infections, particularly in the sinus or tooth areas, are the most common causes of facial swelling.
However, he clarified that continued puffiness is unlikely to be due to these causes.
He then went on to describe some specific medical situations that can lead to a puffy face, including Rosacea, Cushing’s syndrome, and an underactive thyroid.
Rosacea, a condition characterized by redness to the face in symmetrical patterns, can cause swelling of the face, which can be made worse by external temperatures, emotional factors, or certain dietary factors.
Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by a round, moon-shaped face with skin that bruises easily and relates to cortisol in the body.
It is normally treated by a slow decrease in medications or by locating and correcting adrenal gland issues.
Lastly, an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, which relates to the thyroid gland in the neck that helps control metabolism, can also cause a puffy face in some late-stage cases.
Facial Changes Are Often Linked to Age
Dr. Nye concluded that facial changes are more often linked to the changing skin properties with age.
In rare cases, a puffy face can be a sign of a serious underlying endocrine issue, but these are usually straightforward to treat in most patients.
Putin’s Health Remains a Mystery
While Dr. Nye’s analysis sheds some light on the possible causes of Putin’s “puffy” face, the Russian President’s health remains a mystery.
However, given Putin’s famously secretive nature, it is unlikely that we will ever receive an official statement about his health or any medical treatment he may have received.