swelling Archives - Healthhype

Diseases That Cause Edema (Localized or Generalized Swelling)

Dr. Chris — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:07:37 +0000

Edema is caused by four possible mechanisms. As mentioned in the pathophysiology of edema, the cause of edema may be due to fluid accumulation within the tissue space because : High pressure within the blood vessels pushes out fluid into tissue spaces (increased hydrostatic pressure). The blood vessel walls are too permeable allowing fluid to easily drain out into the tissue spaces (increased vascular permeability). The osmotic pressure within the blood vessels is not high enough to draw out fluid from the tissue spaces (reduced osmotic pressure). Excess fluid in the body congests the vessels and tissue spaces (fluid retention). The lymphatic vessels cannot drain out interstitial fluid from the tissue spaces (lymphatic obstruction). Certain diseases may affect the body in a number of ways that can trigger one or more of these mechanisms. Causes of Edema, Swelling Cardiovascular Cardiovascular diseases or impairment may increase hydrostatic pressure or vascular permeability thereby resulting in edema. The possible causes include : Heart failure. Some symptoms include swelling of the legs or parts of the body on both sides, pitting edema, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing especially when lying down and bubbling breathing sounds due to fluid in lungs. Deep venous thrombosis [...]

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Edema (Swelling) and Anasarca (Generalized Body Swelling)

Dr. Chris — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:30:57 +0000

Edema Definition Edema is the medical term for excessive fluid accumulation within the interstitial space (between cells) or within the cavities of the body. This does not include fluid within the bladder or in the gastrointestinal tract (gut). Edema may be localized, affecting only one organ or area of the body or it can be generalized where it affects many areas or the whole body simultaneously. Edema Pathophysiology Fluid in the body exists within cells (intracellular fluid), within the tissue space between cells (interstitial fluid), within the blood vessels (blood) or lymphatic vessels (lymph or lymphatic fluid). This fluid is not just water but there are also cells, nutrients, electrolytes and waste products existing with water in these areas. Two forces are responsible for maintaining the fluid in specific areas or ‘pulling’ and ‘pushing’ fluid into other areas. These forces are known as hydrostatic pressure and osmotic pressure. Hydrostatic pressure is the force that pushes fluid from an area of high pressure to low pressure. Osmotic pressure is the force that draws fluid from an area of low electrolyte concentration to one of a higher electrolyte concentration. Fluid within our blood vessels are at a higher pressure than the fluid [...]

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Diabetes, Leg and Feet Swelling on Both Sides With Numbness

Dr. Chris — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:56:28 +0000

Cathy Asked : I am a 52 year old female and recently I have been experiencing persistent swelling of both legs which were paining at first but now there is some numbness. I was diagnosed with diabetes around the age of 45 and over the past 3 years I have been on metformin. I do not have any leg sores or anything of the sort but I noticed that the skin on my legs feel thick and smooth. My right leg does seem to be more affected but I assume that is because it is my dominant leg and I put more weight on it. My feet are a big problem as well because I sometimes have difficulty putting on my shoes if it is very swollen. I am a bit worried if this is related to the diabetes because initially it would just get swollen for a day or so and then settle down. Now the swelling is staying. The last time I experienced swelling like this was when I was pregnant at the age of 38. By the way, at that time I was diagnosed with pregnancy diabetes and was supposed to go for follow up diabetes tests [...]

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Angioedema Causes and Types

Dr. Chris — Thu, 13 May 2010 00:01:39 +0000

Types of Angioedema Angioedema can be characterized as : This is an immune reaction to an allergen. Symptoms may appear within the first 2 hours after exposure to the allergen and usually settle within 3 days. Urticaria is usually present but not always. Acquired Angioedema This type of angioedema is associated with certain types of autoimmune diseases, infections, malignant tumors and diseases causing increased lymphocyte populations. It tends to occur later in life, usually after the fourth decade, and may persist as long as the underlying disease is present (chronic in nature). Urticaria may be present. Hereditary Angioedema This is inherited type of angioedema and the symptoms usually present before the age of 20 years. It typically occurs in episodes, which can be quite severe and affect multiple systems simultaneously. Drug Induced Angioedema This is a non-allergenic type of angioedema and occurs within days or weeks (sometimes longer) after starting a certain type of medication. Urticaria is not present. Idiopathic Angioedema Symptoms are similar to acute allergic angioedema. Causes of Angioedema Each type of angioedema has key features and causes which differentiates it from other types. Acute Allergic Angioedema In this type of angioedema, the presence of an allergen (list [...]

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Fluid Retention in the Body – Meaning and Causes

Dr. Chris — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 23:00:33 +0000

It is well known that around 60% of human body is composed of water. The balance of water entering the body and being lost has to be carefully maintained as either extreme, both too much and too little water, can be dangerous. Excess water within the body is expelled mainly through the urine but also through the stool, breath as water vapor and via the skin as sweat (perspiration). Sometimes the body retains fluid and this can cause a host of problems. What is fluid retention? Fluid retention simply means that the body is retaining more water than it should. As a result the excess fluid may accumulate in the tissue spaces and body cavities resulting in various symptoms. It can also be retained within cells which may cause these cells to swell and even burst, or within the circulatory system thereby increasing total blood volume leading to disturbances like high blood pressure. The medical term for fluid retention is edema. Sometimes the accumulation of fluid is restricted or more pronounced in one area and then referred to by various other terms. For example, fluid accumulation in the abdomen is known as ascites while fluid in the lungs is referred [...]

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Swollen Arm – Causes of Swelling of Hand, Forearm, Fingers

Dr. Chris — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:17:30 +0000

Swelling of the arm is an indication of inflammation or disturbances of blood or lymph flow causing a swollen appearance of the upper arm, forearm, hand or fingers. It rarely occurs on both sides at the same time. A sweollen arm is not always a cause for concern. Most cases are acute and quickly resolve on its own with no further problems. However, at other times the arm swelling can be a sign of serious conditions which needs prompt medical attention. Why does the arm swell? Swelling anywhere in the body is due to fluid accumulation. This fluid may be tissue fluid or blood. Normally there is a constant inflow and outflow of these fluids. However, when there is inflammation then more fluid flows in to the arm and this fluid accumulates in the tissue spaces. This causes swelling of the arm. Inflammation is the mechanism by which the body protects against tissue damage. It does not only occur in the arm. Another reason for swelling is where blood accumulates in the tissue spaces. This may be seen as a red to purple bruising if it occurs under the skin. It signals a break in a blood vessel that allows [...]

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Diarrhea With Skin Rash, Itch, Tingling, Jaundice or Swelling

Jan Modric — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:25:44 +0000

ACUTE Diarrhea and Skin Symptoms Acute, sudden onset diarrhea occurring together with skin symptoms, like itch, tingling, swelling or rash may be caused by: Childhood viral infections, like measles, scarlatina, rubella, chicken pox, infectious mononucleosis Food allergies may cause itchy skin and urticaria (a patchy, pinkish, slightly raised bumpy or patchy rash, known as hives) – due to histamine released in the skin. Ciguatera fish poisoning after eating big tropical fish, like barracuda (Picture 1), amberjack, grouper, snapper, sturgeon, king mackerel or moray eel that have accumulated ciguatoxin from reef algae, mainly present in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, Hawaii, Indonesia, Micronesia or Australia (1). Symptoms – diarrhea, dizziness, lips or skin tingling and reversal of hot and cold sensation – may start from few minutes to 30 hours after fish intake, may last from several days to years (ciguatoxin is dissolved in body fats and then slowly released) and cease on their own through the time. There is no known diagnostic test and treatment for ciguatera poisoning; prevention is by avoiding eating big tropical fish. Scombroid fish poisoning is due to histamine build-up in big fish like tuna, mackerel, albacore, bonito, skip jack, mahi-mahi that were not properly preserved after being caught. Histamine may cause flushing, difficult breathing, [...]

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