Have you ever had a ring dig into your finger or your feet wouldn’t fit into your favorite shoes because they’re swollen? This is swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid in the body.
We have learned the most common reasons for swelling and how to get rid of it.
Swelling occurs whenever the organs, skin, or other parts of your body enlarge. It is typically the result of inflammation or a buildup of fluid. Swelling can occur internally, or it can affect your outer skin and muscles.
A range of conditions can cause swelling. Insect bites, illnesses, or injuries often result in external swelling. Internal swelling is often a side effect of 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.
Sometimes, instances of slight swelling may go unnoticed. This condition does not always cause other symptoms.
For external swelling, the enlargement of skin or muscles is usually visible. However, other signs of swelling include the buildup of fluid in the affected area. An imaging scan can show an enlarged organ, muscle, or bone. A scan can help diagnose internal swelling, which is harder to identify.
If your swelling was caused by an injury, sting, or disease, you might experience a wide range of symptoms. These may include:
itching
vomiting
flatulence
pain in the affected area
If the swelling is not visible or if it is internal, you may experience the following symptoms:
nausea
vomiting
dizziness
fever
fatigue
insomnia
flu-like symptoms
pain
When the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm of the hand is pinched or squeezed at the wrist, that's when carpal tunnel develops, Utset explains. The resulting swelling is usually accompanied by pain, burning, tingling, or numbness in the hands and fingers—symptoms that often develop slowly over time. Research suggests carpal tunnel affects three times as many women as men. (Get relief with these 13 highly effective treatments for carpal tunnel.)
If you the lining of your sinuses—the air-filled spaces between the eyes and behind your forehead, nose, and cheekbones—becomes inflamed or infected, they can get clogged with mucus. The pressure causes a dull ache around your eyes, greenish-yellow discharge from your nose, pounding headaches—and sometimes, a swollen face. Most of the time, the infection is caused by a virus (translation: you don’t need antibiotics). Instead, rest, drink lots of fluids, and try an over-the-counter antihistamine, says Stewart.
Having a cracked or chipped tooth or an untreated cavity can allow bacteria to sneak into the pulp—the soft innards—of your tooth, where they can multiply, says Stewart. The infection results in a collection of pus (ew) and swelling around the tooth or gums. You’ll have a wicked toothache and jawline swelling. Your dentist can prescribe antibiotics and will likely have to perform a root canal to remove the infected nerve; in the meantime, saltwater rinses and OTC painkillers can make you more comfortable.
Beyond red eyes and a rapidly emptying tissue box, an allergic reaction to food, pollen, a medication, or any other substance can cause facial inflammation, especially around your eyes and nose, says Stewart. OTC meds can dial down inflammation but try meditation, too—research shows that frequently frazzled people are more likely to have allergy symptoms.
This limb-swelling disease results when lymph fluid (which carries waste, bacteria, and viruses out of the body) doesn't adequately drain. Your fingers and toes may swell, and usually your arms and legs will swell, too. Your skin may also feel tight or thicker than usual, according to a report from the National Cancer Institute. Lymphedema has been linked with surgery or radiation treatments for breast cancer. In rare cases, lymphedema can also be caused by the abnormal growth of your lymph system.
If it's the bony finger joints themselves that are enlarged (i.e., you can't get your rings over your knuckles), osteoarthritis may be to blame. This age-related form of arthritis is caused by the wearing down of the cushioning tissues at the end of your joints. Osteoarthritis is often, but not always, accompanied by pain and stiffness, Utset says. Many other forms of arthritis can also result in fat, achy fingers. (This 12-day liver detox can help relieve your joint pain—and get you started on the road to lasting weight loss.
Swelling that appears on the face mainly in the morning can signify problems with the kidneys. In addition to this, you may notice lower back pain and a change in urine color.
What you can do: Follow a diet. Sleep on your back (sleeping on your stomach can lead to swelling of your face). Visit a nephrologist.
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Swelling can occur as a result of taking certain types of medications — for example, antipyretic, analgesic, or birth control pills.
What you can do: If the medicine causes swelling, consult a doctor. Perhaps it can be replaced with an analog that doesn’t give such side effects.
At the initial stage of dehydration, your body starts to accumulate liquid for later. As a result, your ankles, wrists, and the bottom part of your belly may become swollen.
What you can do: Drink at least 1.2 liters of water a day, and avoid coffee, alcohol, and carbonated drinks.
Most insect bites or stings cause a small amount of redness or swelling. Some people have an allergic reaction to a bite or sting and develop a lot of swelling, redness, and itching.
General Tso's chicken, lots of chips and guac, or anything fried could be the cause of your frankfurter fingers. Your body likes to keep a consistent salt-to-water balance. Taking more salt in means your body compensates by retaining more water, which explains the swelling, Utset says.
Typically, mild swelling brought on by salty foods goes away on its own within a day, though it can last longer depending on how much extra salt is in your system. If you cut back on salt and the swelling persists, see your doctor, Utset advises.
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