Edema swelling and cancer treatment. National Cancer Institute. Smith CC. Clinical manifestations and evaluation of edema in adults. Seller RH, et al. Swelling of the legs. In: Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. Elsevier; Accessed Feb. Legal Conditions and Terms Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
Advertising Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Many people have had the experience where the simple act of tripping over something causes ankle swelling. When is this just a minor irritant, and when should you worry? Here are some foot and leg swelling causes as well as how serious they are.
People who are on their feet all day may find their ankles to swell by evening. This is natural and not cause for concern.
If this happens repeatedly and is interfering with your everyday life, talk to your doctor about treatment options. Spraining or twisting an ankle often causes swelling. This can be treated at home with ice packs, compression bandages, and rest. Breaking a bone in the foot or ankle may also cause swelling, but the pain would be much more severe than a sprained ankle. Visit a doctor if you have intense pain or if the swelling does not improve with home treatment.
Many people experience swelling of the feet and legs with pregnancy. This is probably not a cause for concern. The only time it would be is if the swelling appears rapidly and is excessive.
This may be a sign of preeclampsia, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like:. Infections of the feet can cause ankle swelling. These are more common in people with diabetes. Diabetics should check their feet daily for any blisters or sores as they may not feel them due to nerve damage.
Any infections should be reported to a doctor as soon as possible so it does not spread or get worse. Blood clots may also cause swelling. Clots in the leg veins may create swelling in the ankles and feet.
Blood clots can be a problem depending on their size. A large clot could be life threatening if it travels to the heart or lungs. If you experience ankle swelling with any of the following symptoms, contact a doctor immediately:. Swelling can be caused by collection of body fluid, tissue growth, or abnormal movement or position of tissue. Most people will have swelling at some time. When it is hot and you have stood or sat in the same position for a long time, you might notice swelling in your feet and ankles.
Staying in one position for any length of time increases the risk that the lower legs, feet, or hands will swell because body fluid will normally move down a limb from the effects of gravity. Swelling can also be caused by heat-related problems, such as heat edema from working or being active in a hot environment. Body fluid can collect in different tissue spaces of the body localized or can affect the whole body generalized. Causes of localized swelling include:.
Some people may experience swelling as a reaction to a medical treatment, procedure, or surgery. Swelling from a medical treatment may be related to the procedure or to a substance, such as dye, used during the procedure. Swelling may occur at an intravenous IV site used during a procedure or at an IV site used for medicines given at home.
Some swelling at the site of surgery is normal, such as swelling of the arm after a mastectomy. Lymphedema is swelling that occurs in an area around lymph nodes that have been removed such as following surgery or injured such as following radiation treatments.
Swelling can also be caused by the fluctuation of hormone levels within the body. Some women may notice swelling from retaining fluid during their menstrual cycles. This may be called cyclical edema because it is related to the menstrual cycle.
Some women experience mild swelling in their hands or feet during pregnancy. Swelling in the feet may be more noticeable in the third trimester of the pregnancy. Generalized swelling can be a sign of a pregnancy-related problem called preeclampsia. For more information, see the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems. Swelling can occur when tissues move out of their normal position, such as hernias in the abdomen.
For more information, see the topic Inguinal Hernia. Most of the time swelling is mild and goes away on its own. You may not even know what caused the swelling. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve mild symptoms. Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:. You have answered all the questions.
Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. Swelling can be a sign that you are having an allergic reaction to a medicine. This can happen with almost any medicine. Many prescription and nonprescription medicines also may cause swelling as a side effect. A few examples are:. A severe reaction can be life-threatening. If you have had a bad allergic reaction to a substance before and are exposed to it again, treat any symptoms as an emergency.
Even if the symptoms are mild at first, they may quickly become very severe. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care right away.
The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital. Swelling and pain are very common with injuries. When you have swelling, you should look for other symptoms of injury that may need to be evaluated by your doctor.
If you have a medical condition that may cause swelling, follow your doctor's instructions on how to treat your swelling. Talk to your child's doctor before switching back and forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen.
When you switch between two medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. If you have a chronic medical condition or are pregnant, follow your doctor's instructions on how to prevent swelling and when to call to report your symptoms.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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You are here Home » Swelling. Topic Overview Swelling is an increase in the size or a change in the shape of an area of the body. Causes of localized swelling include: Injury to a specific body area. Bruising hematoma from an injury is caused by tears in the small blood vessels under the skin.
Bleeding can also affect the joint hemarthrosis or the area that cushions and lubricates the joint traumatic bursitis. Swelling can affect just one area or may involve large sections of the body, such as swelling that occurs following a motor vehicle accident.
Infection, which can occur in a joint or under the skin. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the site of infected tissue. Cellulitis is a skin infection that can cause mild or severe swelling. Burns , which can cause swelling at the site of the burn or in a larger area around the burn.
Inflammation that occurs when tissue is irritated by overuse or repeated motion. Swelling of the tendon and swelling caused by a series of small tears around a tendon tendinosis can occur together or separately. Swelling of the sac that cushions and lubricates the joint bursitis can be caused by prolonged or repeated pressure or by activities that require repeated twisting or rapid joint movements.
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