- Swelling (medical)
SignSymptom infobox
Name = Swelling
ICD10 = R22
ICD9 = ICD9|782.2, ICD9|784.2, ICD9|786.6, ICD9|789.3
In medical parlance, swelling is the enlargement of organs caused by accumulation of excess fluid in tissues, callededema .It can occur throughout the body (generalized), or a specific part or organ can be affected (localized). 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 , andsplenomegaly .A body part may swell in response to
injury ,infection , ordisease , as well as because of an underlying lump. Swelling — especially swelling of theankle can also occur if the body is not circulating fluid well.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.Causes
The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of swelling symptoms:
General possible causes of localized swelling:
Some possible causes of a swollen limb include:
Treatment
While it's possible for mild swelling to go away on its own, several things can be done to relieve the symptoms or hasten the process. The "HI-RICE" first aid method of rest and 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.
ee also
*
Edema
**Causes of edema
*Carpometacarpal bossing External links
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003103.htm NIH/Medline]
* [http://www.umm.edu/ency/article/003103.htm University of Maryland]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
