What is Swelling?
Swelling occurs when organs, skin, or other parts of the body increase in size. It is usually due to inflammation or fluid buildup. Swelling can be internal or affect the skin and muscles.
Swelling can be caused by various medical conditions. Insect bites, illnesses, or injuries often cause external swelling. Inner swelling is often a side effect of medications or the result of a thoughtful injury.
You should seek instant medical attention if you experience rapid, unexplained swelling, especially if you also experience unexplained weight gain and pain.
Symptoms of Swelling
Sometimes, a small swelling can go unnoticed doesn’t always cause other symptoms.
External swelling usually manifests as enlargement of the skin or muscles. However, other signs of swelling include fluid accumulation in the affected area. Ultrasounds can show enlargement of an organ, muscle, or bone. Ultrasounds can help diagnose internal swelling, which is more difficult to pinpoint.
If the swelling is caused by an injury, bite, or illness, you may experience a wide range of symptoms. These include:
- Itching
- Vomiting
- Flatulence
- Pain in the affected area
If the swelling is not visible or is internal, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Flu-like symptoms
- Pain
What causes swelling?
Inflammation of bones, tissues, or muscles can cause external swelling. Cysts and tumors can also cause visible Bloating. Although fluid holding is an internal condition, it can also cause external Bloating.
The most common causes of external swelling are:
- Insect bites
- Rash
- Hives
- Injury
- Fluid retention
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
- Hormonal changes
- Infection
External swelling can be localized or generalized.
Localized swelling occurs only in a specific area. For example, a person with an eye infection may only experience swelling around the eyes. A person bitten by an insect may only experience swelling at the bite site.
Swelling that occurs over a large area of the body is generalized. It is usually a sign of a serious medical condition. It is often due to fluid retention or an allergic reaction.
Other common causes of generalized swelling include:
- Kidney failure
- Heart failure
- Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
- Poisonous insect bite
People with diabetes or some types of cancer may experience generalized swelling or swelling in extremities, such as fingers and toes.
Inside the body, swelling is often caused by organ inflammation, fluid retention, or flatulence. It can occur in people with chronic conditions such as cross bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and cancer.
How is Swelling diagnosed?
Your doctor may perform several tests to diagnose bloating and its cause. First, they will review your symptoms and perform a physical exam to detect pain in the artificial area.
An imaging test, such as an ultrasound, can provide more detailed information about the cause of the bloating. More specialized tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, can also provide information about the cause of the bloating.
Imaging tests can show:
- blockages in arteries and veins;
- muscle or tissue inflammation;
bone fractures. They can also show if you have fluid retention or damage to the colon. Blood and urine tests will also be performed to determine if a medical illness is causing the bloating.
If the bloating is due to a severe allergic reaction, you will be given an epinephrine injection before any tests are performed. This medication will prevent the reaction from worsening.
How is bloating treated?
Your treatment will depend on the cause of the bloating. If the swelling is due to a tumor or abscess, surgery may be necessary.
If the tumor cannot be removed surgically due to its size or location, your doctor may prescribe aggressive treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to shrink it.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications to reduce inflammation or swelling. Over-the-counter antihistamines can help release itching and swelling caused by rashes or hives.
Topical steroids may also be helpful in reducing skin inflammation. Consult your doctor if these medications don’t help. They may prescribe a stronger antihistamine.
How to prevent swelling?
If a chronic condition causes external or internal swelling, you can prevent further swelling by properly managing the condition or taking medication. Medications are also used for internal swelling caused by inflammation.
Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle variations to prevent internal swelling. Some home measures you can take include:
- avoiding salt;
- wearing compression stockings;
- holding your arms and legs above chest level when lying down.
What You Need to Know About Joint Swelling
Joints are structures that connect two or more bones in the body. They are found in the feet, ankles, knees, hips, hands, and many other parts of the body.
Joints are surrounded and protected by soft tissue. Inflammation occurs when fluid accumulates in these tissues. Joint inflammation may be accompanied by pain, stiffness, or both. You may also notice that the affected joint appears larger than normal or has an abnormal shape.
Joint inflammation can be a symptom of a chronic condition, such as arthritis, or an injury that needs medical attention, such as a dislocation.
What causes joint inflammation?
One of the most common causes of joint inflammation is arthritis. The most common types of arthritis include:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- gout
- psoriatic arthritis
- septic arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It results from the natural deterioration of joint cartilage over time.
When the cartilage surrounding the joint wears down, the bones rub against each other. This can lead to joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, approximately 1.5 million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This inflammatory form of arthritis is also an autoimmune disease, a condition in which the body attacks its own healthy tissue.
In RA, the immune system attacks the membranes that line the joints, causing fluid buildup and joint inflammation. This can damage cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
Gout
In gout, high stages of uric acid in the plasma can cause uric acid minerals to form in the joints, causing joint inflammation and pain. This painful condition can be acute or chronic.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, gout affects around 6 million men and 2 million women in the United States, representing approximately 4% of the adult US population.
Uric acid is a waste product the body produces when breaking down certain substances found in food. It normally dissolves in the blood and is excreted in the urine.
If its excretion is impaired, it can accumulate in the joints, forming needle-shaped crystals. This causes the symptoms of gout, including joint inflammation.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that can accompany skin psoriasis.
The Arthritis Foundation estimates that approximately 30% of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the joints and skin. This causes inflammation, resulting in joint swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Septic Arthritis
Joint swelling can also result from an infection caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This type of joint swelling is called septic arthritis. According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common cause of septic arthritis is infection with the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Septic arthritis can be chronic or acute. Chronic septic arthritis is rare.
Other Causes
Many other types of arthritis, as well as other medical conditions, can cause joint inflammation. Some examples include:
- Injuries such as fractures, dislocations, and ligament and tendon tears
- Ankylosing spondylitis: a chronic condition that causes joint inflammation
- Systemic lupus erythematosus: an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
- Sarcoidosis: a condition in which inflammatory cells build up in the body
- Rheumatism: an inflammatory condition resulting from untreated strep throat or scarlet fever
- Tendinitis: inflammation of a tendon
Takeaway
Joint inflammation is a symptom of many conditions, the most common of which is arthritis. The joint may also feel painful and stiff, and may appear larger than usual.
In some cases, the cause of the inflammation may be obvious, such as if you recently injured the joint. However, if the cause is not obvious, the inflammation is severe, or does not go away, make an appointment with your doctor.
Your doctor can provide more information about your diagnosis, treatment options, and long-term prognosis.