How do you know if swelling is serious?

Internal swelling is often a side effect of a medication or the result of a serious injury. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience rapid, unexplainable swelling, especially if you also experience unexplained weight gain and pain.
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These include:
  1. itching.
  2. vomiting.
  3. flatulence.
  4. pain in the affected area.
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When should you worry about swelling?

When to Seek Care for Swelling. You should seek emergency care if you have sudden, unexplained swelling in just one limb or if it occurs along with chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, fever, or skin that is red and warm to the touch.
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How long is too long for swelling?

If your swelling is chronic, or lasts longer than 2-3 weeks, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will be able to recommend medication, exercise or therapy to resolve the swelling. Remember, swelling is the body's reaction to an injury; if the swelling is still present, so is the injury.
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What happens if swelling goes untreated?

If left untreated, edema can lead to increasingly painful swelling, stiffness, difficulty walking, stretched or itchy skin, skin ulcers, scarring, and decreased blood circulation. What complications can edema lead to?
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Can swelling be life threatening?

Ascites and peripheral edema can be uncomfortable and can be a sign of a more serious condition. Pulmonary edema, which makes it difficult to breathe and can be life threatening, is a symptom of heart failure and is discussed in more detail separately.
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Pitting Edema - Example



When should you go to the hospital for swollen feet and legs?

Seek medical care right away if your legs swell for no apparent reason, especially if you have unexplained leg pain, difficulty breathing, chest pain or other warning signs of a blood clot in your lungs or a heart condition.
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What makes swelling go down?

Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling. It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.
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What does edema look like?

Signs of edema include: Swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin, especially in your legs or arms. Stretched or shiny skin. Skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds.
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How serious is swelling of feet and legs?

While swelling in the foot, leg, and ankle usually doesn't pose a significant health risk, it's important to know when to see a doctor. Swelling may sometimes indicate a more serious underlying health issue that needs to be treated right away.
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How do you get rid of swelling fast?

Any form of cold therapy can be beneficial, such as: ice packs, ice baths, and ice machines that deliver cold water to wraps. Ice should be used a few times a day for about 20-30 minutes at a time to reduce swelling effectively. Pressure on an injury helps constrict blood flow and excess fluid from reaching the injury.
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Does swelling mean healing?

While most people become alarmed when the body shows signs of swelling, it's important to remember that this is a natural part of the healing process. When swelling occurs, it's just the body requesting reinforcements to speed up the healing process.
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How long does it take for inflammation to go away?

Acute inflammation usually occurs for a short (yet often severe) duration. It often resolves in two weeks or less.
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Does heat help swelling?

Never use heat where swelling is involved because swelling is caused by bleeding in the tissue, and heat just draws more blood to the area. Heating tissues can be accomplished using a heating pad, or even a hot, wet towel.
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What is the difference between swelling and inflammation?

Swelling can occur when a part of the body becomes inflamed. However, it is caused by the accumulation of fluid in tissues throughout the body, or in a specific region of the body. As a result, swelling can actually occur within the body without inflammation occurring.
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How do you describe swelling?

Comment about the location, dimensions (exact size), color and consistency (e.g. soft/spongy/rubbery/bony hard etc.). Describe the edges – comment on the movement of the swelling over other structures (e.g. muscle and bone) as well as the movement of the overlying skin over the swelling.
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Does left leg swelling indicate heart problems?

Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet

Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn't work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues.
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How do I get rid of fluid in my legs and feet?

Support stockings
  1. Movement. Moving and using the muscles in the part of your body affected by edema, especially your legs, may help pump the excess fluid back toward your heart. ...
  2. Elevation. ...
  3. Massage. ...
  4. Compression. ...
  5. Protection. ...
  6. Reduce salt intake.
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What kind of doctor should I see for swollen feet and legs?

If your swelling persists even after getting off your feet, you should make an appointment with your podiatrist to diagnose any underlying conditions that could be causing the symptoms. In addition to pregnancy and prolonged periods of standing and walking, the cause of your swollen extremities may be vascular.
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How can you test for edema at home?

Observe for edema of the foot, ankles and legs. Gently compress the patient's soft tissue with your thumb over both shins for a few minutes. Observe for indentation.
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What doctor treats edema?

If you're experiencing any type of edema, you should contact MD Vein & Skin Specialists right away for an evaluation and determination of the cause of your edema, especially if you're also experiencing pain or discomfort.
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Will drinking more water help with edema?

1. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. Though it might seem counterintuitive, getting enough fluids actually helps reduce swelling. When your body isn't hydrated enough, it holds onto the fluid it does have.
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What are symptoms of inflammation?

There are five symptoms that may be signs of an acute inflammation:
  • Redness.
  • Heat.
  • Swelling.
  • Pain.
  • Loss of function.
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Does ibuprofen reduce swelling?

Unlike acetaminophen, ibuprofen acts as an anti-inflammatory drug, which means it reduces inflammation and swelling.
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Should I go to urgent care for swollen ankles?

Go to urgent care if your pain level and swelling is significant and you have difficulty walking, to the point that you need assistance, due to the pain. Go to the emergency room if your foot is bruised, deformed, or you are unable to walk at all. You may have a fracture, broken bone or serious ligament damage.
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Is edema an emergency?

Seek medical care immediately if your edema is suddenly worse, painful, new, or if it's associated with chest pain or trouble breathing. The latter may be a sign of pulmonary edema, a serious medical condition in which the lung cavities fill with fluid.
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