Swelling Related to Health Problems
It is normal to have some swelling after an injury. But if a
large area of swelling occurs within 30 minutes of an injury, the swelling may
be a sign of:
- A more serious injury.
- Serious
bleeding.
- Tissue damage.
Swelling (edema) in the feet and ankles is common after you have been
sitting or standing for a length of time. It is also common during hot or humid
weather. Sitting or lying down with your feet propped up often relieves this
type of swelling.
- Mild generalized swelling of the feet and ankles
is common in people who have
varicose veins. For more information, see the topic
Varicose Veins in Related Information.
- Joint pain, stiffness, and
swelling are common in people who have
arthritis.
- Sudden swelling of the big toe
joint may be caused by
gout.
Swelling is more serious when:
- Swollen skins turns pale or cool. This may mean
the blood supply has been decreased to the swollen area or below
it.
- Swelling develops with
signs of infection.
- Swelling does not get
better when you prop your feet up.
- Swelling develops suddenly or
gets worse in the feet or ankles of people who have
heart disease,
heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Kidney, heart, or circulatory problems may cause ongoing swelling of one or
both feet.
- Feet, hands, or face swell suddenly during pregnancy.
This can be a sign of
preeclampsia. For more information, see the topic
Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
in Related Information.
Treatment will depend on the cause of your swelling.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Last Revised | October 1, 2012 |