Swelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by build up of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a rapid increase in weight over a short period of time (days to weeks).

Swelling can occur throughout the body (generalized) or only in a specific part of the body (localized).

See also:

• Angioedema
• Ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• Breast enlargement
• Facial swelling
• Joint swelling
• Scrotal swelling
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Swollen glands
• Swollen gums

Slight swelling (edema) of the lower legs commonly occurs in warm summer months, especially if a person has been standing or walking a lot.

Generalized swelling, or massive edema (also called anasarca), is a common sign in severely ill people. Although slight edema may be difficult to detect, a large amount of swelling is very obvious.

Edema is described as pitting or non-pitting.

• Pitting edema leaves a dent in the skin after you press the area with a finger for about 5 seconds. The dent will slowly fill back in.
• Non-pitting edema does not leave this type of dent when pressing on the swollen area.

• Acute glomerulonephritis
• Burns, including sunburn
• Chronic kidney disease
• Heart failure
• Liver failure from cirrhosis
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Poor nutrition
• Pregnancy
• Thyroid disease
• Too little albumin in the blood (hypoalbuminemia)
• Too much salt or sodium
• Use of certain drugs, including
  • Androgenic and anabolic steroids
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Certain blood pressure medicines
  • Corticosteroids such as prednisone
  • Diabetes medicines called thiazolidinediones
  • Estrogen
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)