Swelling

Alternative names

Edema; Anasarca

Definition

Swelling involves the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body structures. It is caused by excessive buildup of fluid in the tissues. This buildup can lead to a rapid increase in weight over a short period of time (days to weeks).

Swelling can occur throughout the body (generalized) or it may be limited to a specific part of the body (localized).

Considerations

Slight edema of the lower legs commonly occurs in warm summer months, especially if a person has been standing or walking a lot.

Generalized swelling, or massive edema (also called anasarca), is a common sign in severely ill people. Although slight edema may be difficult to detect, especially in an overweight person, massive edema is very obvious. Edema can indicate a chronic and progressive medical illness.

Edema may be generally described in one of two ways:

• Pitting edema - When you press a finger against a swollen area for 5 seconds and then quickly remove it, an indentation is left that fills slowly.
  
• Nonpitting edema - When you press a finger against a swollen area for 5 seconds and then quickly remove it, no indentation is left in the skin.
  

Common Causes

• Too much salt or sodium intake
  
• Burns
  
• Sunburn
  
• Too little albumin in the blood (hypoalbuminemia)
  
• Malnutrition
  
• Pregnancy
  
• Drugs
  o Androgenic and anabolic steroids
  o Antihypertensives
  o Corticosteroids such as prednisone (causes sodium retention)
  o Estrogens
  o Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (see NSAIDs)
  o Calcium channel blockers
  
• Nephrotic syndrome
  
• Acute glomerulonephritis
  
• Chronic kidney disease
  
• Heart failure
  
• Liver failure from cirrhosis
  
• Thyroid disease
  

Home Care

Follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause of the swelling. Discuss with your health care provider the options to prevent skin breakdown (for chronic edema) such as a pressure-reducing mattress, a lamb's wool pad, or a flotation ring.