Swelling (medical)
Left and right ring fingers of the same individual. The distal phalanx of the finger on the right exhibits swelling due to acute paronychia. | |
ICD-10 | R22. |
---|---|
ICD-9 | 782.2, 784.2, 786.6, 789.3 |
In medical parlance, swelling is the transient[1] enlargement or protuberance in the body and may include tumors. According to cause, it may be congenital, traumatic, inflammatory, neoplastic or miscellaneous.
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, and splenomegaly.
A body part may swell in response to injury, infection, or disease, as well as because of an underlying lump. Swelling — especially swelling of the ankle 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.
Contents
[hide]Causes
The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of swelling symptoms:
General possible causes of localized swelling:
Some possible causes of skin swelling include:
Causes of generalized 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.
See also
References
Cite error: Invalid <references>
tag;
parameter "group" is allowed only.
<references />
, or <references group="..." />
External links
40x40px | Look up Swelling in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
ca:Turgència es:Turgencia fa:تورژسانس fr:Turgescence id:Pembengkakan it:Gonfiore pt:Turgidez ro:Turgescenţă sv:Svullnad
yi:געשווילאכץ