Swelling (medical): Difference between revisions

{{Jargon|date=June 2017}}

{{Infobox symptom |

Name = Swelling |

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]]. |

ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|22||r|20}} |

ICD9 = {{ICD9|782.2}}, {{ICD9|784.2}}, {{ICD9|786.6}}, {{ICD9|789.3}} |

MedlinePlus = 003103 |

}}

In [[medicine|medical parlance]], '''swelling''', '''turgescence''' or '''tumefaction''' is a transient abnormal enlargement of a body part or area not caused 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> It is caused by accumulation of [[Interstitial fluid|fluid in tissues]].<ref name=MedlinePlus/> It can occur throughout the body (generalized), or a specific part or organ can be affected (localized).<ref name=MedlinePlus>{{cite web |url= https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003103.htm |title=Swelling |date=28 October 2010 |work=[[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.

In a general sense, the suffix "-megaly" is used to indicate a growth, as in [[hepatomegaly]], [[acromegaly]], and [[splenomegaly]].

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 of swelling==

[[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]].

[[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==

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* [[Allergic reaction]]

* [[Cellulitis]]

* [[Contact dermatitis]]

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* [[Eczema]]

* [[Hives]]

* [[Insect bite]]

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* [[Insect sting]]

* [[Parasitic infection]]

* [[Skin infection]]

|}

Causes of generalized swelling:

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* [[Beri-beri]]

* [[Celiac disease]]

* [[Certain medications]]

* [[Cirrhosis of the liver]]

* [[Chronic hepatitis]]

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* [[Congestive heart failure]]

* [[Edema]]

* Excessive [[IV therapy]]

* [[Filariasis]]

* [[Glomerulonephritis]]

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* [[Heart failure]]

* [[Kidney conditions]]

* [[Kidney failure]]

* [[Liver condition]]

* [[Lymphedema]]

| valign="top" |

* [[Lymphatic obstruction]]

* [[Malabsorption]]

* [[Malnutrition]]

* [[Nephritis]]

* [[Nephrotic syndrome]]

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* [[Preeclampsia]]

* [[Pregnancy]]

* [[Premenstrual syndrome]]

* [[Protein deficiency]]

* [[Thyroid condition]]

* [[Ulcerative colitis]]

* [[Varicose veins]]

|}

Some possible causes of a swollen limb include:

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* [[Allergic]] reaction

* [[Cancer]]

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* [[Lymphatic]] obstruction

* [[Sunburn]]

* Venous [[thrombosis]]

|}

== Treatment ==

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 once immediately after the incident. The [[RICE (medicine)|RICE]] first aid method of rest, ice, compression, and elevation 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.

==See also==

* [[Edema]]

* [[Carpometacarpal bossing]]

* [[Tumescence]]

==References==

{{wiktionary|Swelling}}

{{reflist}}

{{Skin and subcutaneous tissue symptoms and signs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Swelling (Medical)}}

[[Category:Medical signs]]