Why Do Eyes Swell After Crying? Scientific Reason Explained

Lifestyle News: Often, when we cry heavily due to intense emotions, the heart feels lighter, but the eyes turn heavy and swollen. You must have noticed how tears make eyes red and the surrounding area puff up. This isn’t merely an emotional response; it’s actually caused by a scientific process in the body. Naturally, this raises the question-why do our eyes swell like balloons after crying?

Tears Hold More Than Water

Many people believe that tears are just water, but in reality they are a complex composition that includes salt, proteins, and hormones. When we cry a lot, the glands of the eyes become more active, and its effect starts showing on the surrounding skin. This is the reason why the delicate skin of the eyes stretches and starts swelling.

Osmosis is caused by salt

The main reason for swelling of the eyes after crying is the salt present in the tears. This salt draws water from the cells present under the eyes, which increases the swelling. This process is called 'osmosis' in science. This process makes the eyes swell, and they start looking like balloons.

Increases pressure on facial muscles

There is excessive pressure on the eyes in case of continuous crying. This also affects the facial muscles, and the blood flow on the face increases. The result is that both the face and the eyes start looking red.

When we cry, tears don't just flow from the eyes but also pass through the passage connected to the nose called the 'nasolacrimal duct.' This causes a runny nose and increases pressure on the upper part of the face. This extra pressure also contributes to swelling of the eyes, especially when the person cries for a long time.

Emotional relief is obtained, but ... 

While crying can provide mental relief, it also makes the body feel heavy, especially the face and head. Crying for a long time causes heaviness and fatigue in the head as well as the eyes.

Note: This article is based on general information only. For any health-related problem, please consult a specialist or doctor.