Swelling (noninjury)

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Swelling (noninjury)

Swelling can develop without a known injury. This type of swelling can be caused by:

• Overuse.
• Repeated body motions.
• Certain medical conditions, such as bursitis, gout, or arthritis.

Swelling that develops slowly usually indicates a less serious problem. Swelling may limit the range of motion in a joint or the joint may feel "tight" when you try to fully bend or straighten it. If swelling improves with home treatment, a visit to a health professional is probably not needed.

Swelling is more serious when it:

• Appears to be an allergic reaction and the tongue and throat are affected. Swelling in the mouth or difficulty swallowing may mean the airway is getting smaller and breathing may become difficult.
• Appears to be an allergic reaction that swells across major joints.
• Occurs with symptoms of impaired blood flow (pale, white, blue, or cold skin).
• Occurs along with pain, increasing redness, warmth, red streaks, fever, or puslike drainage. This can mean an infection has developed.
• Develops suddenly or gets worse in people with heart disease, heart failure, or kidney disease.
• Develops suddenly in the face, hands, or feet of a pregnant woman. This can be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia).

Swelling that continues and does not improve with home treatment may mean a medical condition is causing the swelling or making the swelling worse. An evaluation by a health professional is needed to determine the seriousness of the swelling.

Credits

Last updated:	July 11, 2007
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer