Swelling is an increase and change in the configuration of a body part due to infiltration, swelling of tissues, subcutaneous accumulation of air, blood, pus, and other causes. Swelling can be caused by inflammatory and allergic processes, injuries, enlargement of superficially located organs (lymph nodes, thyroid gland), and the development of neoplasia. Diagnosis requires anamnesis, instrumental and laboratory examinations (ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, blood biomarkers). Treatment requires elimination of the etiofactor, carried out in accordance with clinical protocols.
Swelling in a particular area can be caused by many reasons. Typically, such changes are visually noticeable, cause deformation and asymmetry of the limbs or torso, and are often accompanied by painful sensations. Swollen areas can also itch, "burn", the skin over them often changes color and pattern. Swelling of body parts is a fairly common symptom in the clinic of dental, allergic, infectious, endocrine, dermatological and other diseases.
Swelling can be local (cheek swelling with flux, neck swelling with mumps and goiter, joints with arthritis, labia with bartholinitis) and diffuse (diffuse swelling, subcutaneous emphysema). The most common causes of swelling of body parts are:
Swelling of any part of the body cannot be ignored due to the possibility of developing fulminant fatal complications. So, angioedema of the larynx can lead to asphyxia, and a suppurative process can cause sepsis. Don't delay contacting a specialist!