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#redirect[[Edema]]
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{{Infobox medical condition (new)
| name = Swelling
| synonyms = Turgescence, tumefaction
| image = MyParonychia.jpg
| caption = Left and right [[ring finger]]s of the same individual. The [[distal phalanx]] of the finger on the right exhibits swelling due to [[acute paronychia]].
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'''Swelling''' is a transient abnormal enlargement of a body part or area caused not by [[neoplasm]] (proliferation of cells)<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary |title=Swelling |edition=31st |year=2007 |publisher=[[Saunders (publisher)|Saunders]] |isbn=9781849723480 }}</ref> but by accumulation of [[interstitial fluid]] (fluid in tissues).<ref name=MedlinePlus/> It can occur throughout the body (generalized), or it can affect a specific part or organ (localized).<ref name=MedlinePlus>{{cite web |url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003103.htm |title=Swelling |date=28 October 2010 |website=[[MedlinePlus]] |accessdate=12 August 2012}}</ref> Swelling is usually not dangerous and is a common reaction to an inflammation or a bruise.

Swelling is considered one of the five characteristics of [[inflammation]]; along with pain, heat, redness, and loss of function.

A body part may swell in response to injury, [[infection]], or disease. Swelling, especially of the [[ankle]], can occur if the body is not circulating fluid well. If [[water retention (medicine)|water retention]] progresses to a [[symptom]]atic extent, swelling results.

Generalized swelling, or massive [[edema]] (also called [[anasarca]]), is a common sign in severely ill people. Although slight edema may be difficult to detect to the untrained eye, especially in an overweight person, massive edema is very obvious.

==Types==
[[injury|Traumatic]] swellings develop immediately after trauma, like a [[hematoma]] or [[joint dislocation|dislocation]].

[[Congenital]] swellings are present since birth, such as a [[hemangioma]] or [[meningocele]]. Some congenital swellings may not be discovered until later in life, such as a [[branchial cyst]], [[dermoid cyst]], or [[thyroglossal cyst]].{{cn|date=January 2019}}

[[Inflammation|Inflammatory]] swelling may be either acute or chronic. The presentations of acute swellings are redness, local fever, [[pain]] and impairment of function of the affected organ. The related [[lymph node]]s will be affected and will show signs of acute [[lymphadenitis]]. Chronic inflammatory swellings will show the signs of acute inflammatory swellings, but in subdued form. In this case, [[edema]] might not occur. Chronic swellings can be differentiated from [[neoplastic]] swellings by the fact that neoplastic swellings never recede in size, but inflammatory swellings may show occasional diminution.

==Causes==
{| border="0"
| valign="top" |
* [[Allergic reaction]]
* [[Cellulitis]]
* [[Contact dermatitis]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Eczema]]
* [[Hives]]
* [[Insect bite]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Insect sting]]
* [[Parasitic infection]]
* [[Skin infection]]
|}

Causes of generalized swelling:
{| border="0"
| valign="top" |
* [[Beri-beri]]
* [[Celiac disease]]
* [[Certain medications]]
* [[Cirrhosis of the liver]]
* [[Chronic hepatitis]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Congestive heart failure]]
* [[Edema]]
* Excessive [[IV therapy]]
* [[Filariasis]]
* [[Glomerulonephritis]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Heart failure]]
* [[Kidney conditions]]
* [[Kidney failure]]
* [[Liver condition]]
* [[Lymphedema]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Lymphatic obstruction]]
* [[Malabsorption]]
* [[Malnutrition]]
* [[Nephritis]]
* [[Nephrotic syndrome]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Preeclampsia]]
* [[Pregnancy]]
* [[Premenstrual syndrome]]
* [[Protein deficiency]]
* [[Thyroid condition]]
* [[Ulcerative colitis]]
* [[Varicose veins]]
|}

Some possible causes of a swollen limb include:
{| border="0"
| valign="top" |
* [[Allergic]] reaction
* [[Cancer]]
| valign="top" |
* [[Lymphatic]] obstruction
* [[Sunburn]]
* Venous [[thrombosis]]
|}

== Treatment ==

Swelling can be from a very serious condition or something as simple as allergies. It is important to see a doctor if you notice your body or parts of your body beginning to swell, especially for prolonged periods. If you have recently sprained or broken a bone or pulled a ligament, swelling would of course be normal in that instance and you will still want to keep an eye on it regardless.

While it is possible for mild swelling to go away on its own, several things can be done to relieve the symptoms or hasten the process. It is important that swelling is treated quickly because it occurs at the fastest rate immediately after the incident that caused it. The [[RICE (medicine)|RICE]] first aid method (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) of protecting the affected area has long been taught as a short term solution. The application of oxygen is known to assist in the reduction of swelling. Other ways to reduce swelling include diuretics, Anti Inflammatory herbs, not sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time as fluids can accumulate, herbal teas, Epsom Salt baths, exercise, magnesium supplements, massages and compression socks or sleeves. Equally important is to drink lots of water and eat healthy; limiting sodium, red meats and processed foods.

==See also==
* [[Carpometacarpal bossing]]
* [[Edema]]
* [[Tumescence]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Medical resources
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|22||r|20}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|782.2}}, {{ICD9|784.2}}, {{ICD9|786.6}}, {{ICD9|789.3}}
| MedlinePlus = 003103
| Swelling = https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/edema-overview
}}
{{wiktionary|Swelling}}
{{Skin and subcutaneous tissue symptoms and signs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swelling (Medical)}}
[[Category:Medical signs]]

Latest revision as of 12:23, 23 December 2019

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