Swelling is usually referred to as edema, in which there is an accumulation of water in the tissues. Most often, swelling or edema is caused by disease and should therefore be quickly examined by a doctor.
What is edema?
The development of swelling or edema occurs when water or fluid is formed and stored outside the cells. The development of swelling or edema occurs when water or fluid is formed and stored outside the cells. In this case, the water mostly accumulates in body interiors and in tissues that have leaked from body vessels. Swelling can occur virtually anywhere on the body. Typical edema or swelling is water retention in the legs, which then feel thick and heavy. Furthermore, a swelling can be recognized by the fact that it leaves a clearly visible dent when pressure is applied. Edema or swelling can occur as a result of accidents, where the affected person may have bumped into something, for example. Metabolic disorders and numerous diseases and hormonal changes can also be the cause of swelling. Not infrequently, however, there is also a serious disease, such as cirrhosis of the liver or heart failure.
Causes
As noted, the causes of swelling or edema can be varied. The most common causes are mostly caused by minor and major accidents. For example, a head bump results in the well-known bump on the head, where water or fluid is deposited in the surrounding skin by injured tissue, and a swelling then becomes clearly visible. Other causes can be: liver diseases such as cirrhosis, hormonal changes such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy and menopause, and heart diseases such as heart failure. In addition, circulatory disorders and medications are also considered possible causes of swelling and edema. In rare cases, swelling also occurs with inflammation and infection, as well as with protein deficiency. Other diseases that may appear as a cause can be found below.
Diseases with this symptom
- Heart failure
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Gout
- Quincke’s edema
- Renal failure
- Sports injuries
- Thrombosis
- Menopause
- Bartholinitis
- Insect venom allergy
- Lymphedema
- Sprain
- Hypothyroidism
- Mumps
- Hyperthyroidism
- Erysipelas
- Circulatory disorders
- Chronic venous insufficiency
Diagnosis and course
If the presence of edema is suspected, the doctor will first ask questions about pre-existing conditions. Of interest is whether the swellings occur more in the evening, for example, or medications are taken that could contribute to cirrhosis of the liver or heart failure. As part of a physical examination, the doctor checks whether there are any causative varicose veins for the swellings. Blood and urine are examined for abnormal protein and electrolyte levels. Furthermore, ultrasound and X-ray examinations (also with contrast media for vein examination) as well as computer tomographies, magnetic resonance tomographies and other blood as well as heart examinations can provide information about edema diseases. When the cause is removed, acute edema completely resolves, whereas chronic edema is associated with permanent tissue changes.
Complications
Swelling is mostly harmless and usually resolves on its own. Complications can occur if parts of the airways swell as a result of a food allergy or infection. An allergy-related swelling after an insect bite can also be a medical emergency. Water retention in the abdomen and circulatory problems as a result of swelling in the limbs can also lead to complications. Swelling that occurs as a result of wisdom teeth surgery makes it difficult to eat in the meantime and often causes pain. In the case of hives, the swollen parts of the face can become severely deformed and cause life-threatening respiratory distress in the area of the mouth and throat. Swelling after thrombosis surgery can cause permanent damage to the skin and leg veins and, in rare cases, embolism.Severe complications may also occur if the swelling persists longer than usual, is associated with accompanying symptoms such as fever or difficulty breathing, or is the result of a medical emergency. The possible complications depend largely on the underlying cause and the timing of treatment. A final overview of the possible complications of swelling can be provided by the primary care physician.
When should you see a doctor?
Swelling can have many causes, manifestations, and degrees of severity. It is generally a good idea to have a swelling examined by a doctor, because it is usually an immune reaction of the body and it should be clarified to what extent this is problematic. Whether a doctor is actually consulted, however, ultimately depends on whether the person affected can recognize the swelling itself as harmless or is unsure whether it will heal healthily. For example, if a small swelling occurs after an insect bite or if the skin swells around a cut, this reaction is as expected and the swelling will go away on its own without complications. In contrast, swellings with an unclear cause must be examined by a physician. This applies, for example, to swellings of joints that readily occur during sports, but also to unusual manifestations such as a sudden severe swelling after a stitch. An urgent case for a doctor are throbbing, increasing, reddened or very painful swellings as well as cases that have not subsided within a few days. A swelling must not be strained on the way to the doctor; for example, if a swelling on the leg prevents the patient from walking without pain, he or she must be driven to the doctor. Strains could otherwise cause worse damage.
Treatment and therapy
If a swelling occurs, a doctor should be consulted, since in most cases a disease can be behind it. If the swelling or edema is rather harmless, for example, a bump on the head due to bumping, a visit to the doctor will not be harmful in this case either. As with any medical examination, the first step in diagnosis is a personal discussion between the doctor and the patient. The physician wants to find out under which conditions and in which intensity the swelling occurs and since when the complaints are present. Furthermore, the physician will want to determine whether there are any pre-existing conditions and what medications are already being taken. The truthful answers to these questions can often already provide the correct cause for the swellings. Following the interview, an examination of the patient’s body is performed. The doctor looks in particular at the legs, veins and varicose veins to see if there are any abnormalities. Likewise, urine and blood values are usually measured, with electrolytes and protein values being of particular importance. If there is then suspicion of a disease, further examination with the help of computer tomography (CT), ultrasound examinations, X-rays, phlebography (examination of the veins with contrast medium), lymphography (X-ray diagnosis of the lymphatic ducts) may be necessary. Depending on the final cause, the individual treatment is then to be initiated by the physician. Since underlying diseases are usually the cause of swelling, these should be treated first. In case of cardiac insufficiency by appropriate medication. Furthermore, a health-oriented exercise therapy should always accompany the treatment. This includes above all sport and exercise, which stimulates blood circulation in the veins and legs and pumps the water retention out of the tissue. In addition, compresses (e.g. compression stockings or compression bandages) help to reduce the swelling by exerting pressure. Elevating the swollen legs also helps to reduce the swelling. Furthermore, depending on the cause, pneumatic compression, lymphatic drainage or stroking massage can also be used. Medication can also be useful. All these measures serve the purpose of quickly flushing water out of the body or tissue and reducing or dissolving the swelling.
Outlook and prognosis
Outlook and prognosis always depend on the cause of swelling. Acute swelling resulting from an injury or inflammation usually resolves within a few days, whereas recovery from joint or bone swelling may take several weeks or longer.In rheumatic diseases, swelling can also develop into chronic complaints. The prospect of a rapid reduction in swelling is given if the underlying disease is recognized and treated comprehensively at an early stage and there are no unforeseen complications in the course of recovery. If the cause is quickly eliminated, acute edema usually resolves completely, whereas chronic swelling may be associated with permanent tissue changes. In children, the elderly, and patients with immunodeficiency, swelling may also cause mild febrile symptoms, depending on the size and location of the edema. A more severe course can be expected with swelling of the organs. For example, kidney or liver swelling can lead to organ failure and death, while permanent damage can also occur as a result of brain swelling. Because of the diversity and severity of possible swellings, a final prognosis can only be made by a physician.
Home remedies and herbs for swelling and edema.
- For swelling caused by weak veins, herbal remedies containing red vine leaves are helpful. Red vine leaves stabilize the vessels and stimulate blood circulation.
What you can do yourself
In most cases, swelling can be relatively well fought with cold. Here, a cold bath, a pack of ice cubes or a cooling pad helps. To avoid burning the skin, very cold things should always be wrapped in a cloth first and then placed on the skin. The affected area on the skin should not be strained or touched excessively. If the swelling is associated with pain, painkillers can also be used for a short period of time. However, these should not be used for a long period of time, otherwise they can cause damage to the stomach. Herbal teas also help with swellings. Here, the patient can usually choose a tea of his or her choice. Creams and gels that cool and soothe the skin can also be used. These should be used especially before going to bed, when using other cooling is not possible. A compress with curd is also suitable. To prevent swelling from occurring in the first place, the skin should be cooled immediately after an accident or surgery. This is especially true for swellings on the face that occur after operations on the jaw or in the mouth.
