Swelling

What is swelling?
Swelling, otherwise known as edema, is a build up of fluid in the body. Swelling most often
affects the dependent extremities (like the feet, ankles and hands) but swelling can also affect
other parts of the body, such as the abdomen. Causes of swelling include:

Fluid retention, including salt and water related to medication, heart disease, liver
disease, or kidney failure.

Blockage of veins or lymph system.

Malnutrition.

Chemotherapy-related, or cancer swelling:

Some chemotherapy drugs can cause fluid retention in the body. This form of cancer
swelling is most noticable in the feet, ankles, hands, and face.

Swelling or angioedema may also occur with hives as part of an allergic reaction. It is a
vascular reaction that causes an increased ability for fluid in the cells to "leak" into the
layers of the skin, resulting in swelling. This happens much less often than hives alone.
The fluid retention causes swelling generally in the tongue, lips, or eyelids. Swelling of the
airways can result in difficulty breathing, closing off of the airway and death. If swelling is
happening along with signs of breathing difficulty seek help immediately.

What are some symptoms of swelling to look for?

Feet and lower legs get larger when you sit or walk.

Take a look at your feet, ankles and hands. Are they swollen? When you press on the
skin with your finger, is there an indentation that stays for a few seconds? If so, you may
have "pitting edema."

Hands feel tight when you make a fist

Rings are too tight

Abdomen appears to be swelling or distended

Shortness of breath (especially when lying down)

Things you can do to manage swelling:

Elevate your feet as often as possible. (Either sitting in a chair with your feet on a stool
with a pillow or in the bed or couch with feet up on two pillows)

Do not stand for long periods of time.

Avoid tight clothing (shoes, girdles, etc).

Do not cross your legs.

Reduce your salt intake if swelling is present. Avoid foods such as bouillon, potato chips,
tomato juice, bacon, ham, canned soups, soy sauce, and table salt, for example.

Try to eat a balanced diet (see eating well section).

If your swelling is severe, consider wearing Jobst stockings or TED hose.

Weigh yourself daily. Notify your doctor or health care provider if you have gained 5
pounds or more in a week.

Take your medications exactly as prescribed.

Drugs or recommendations that may be prescribed by your doctor or health care provider
for symptoms of swelling:

Depending upon the causes of your swelling, your doctor or health care provider may
prescribe a diuretic. Diuretics - may be known as "water pills" as they work by making
you urinate out extra fluid. Some examples of this medication may include furosemide
(Lasix(), and Hydrochlorthiazide. You may receive this medication alone or in
combination with other medications.

Your doctor or health care provider may recommend that you see a registered dietician to
help plan a diet tailored to your condition.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about swelling:

Call your doctor or health care provider immediately:

If you are short of breath.

Call your doctor or health care provider within 24 hours:

If you have gained 5 pounds or more in one week.

If you develop sudden and severe fluid retention.

Your feet or hands feel cold to the touch.

If you are unable to eat for more than a day.

If you have urinated only a little bit or not at all.

If the swelling appears to move up your arms or legs.

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific
medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website about swelling and
other medical conditions is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for
medical advice.

Hyponatremia (Low Sodium)

What Is Hyponatremia?
Hyponatremia is an electrolyte imbalance and is indicated by a low level of sodium in the blood.
The normal adult value for sodium is 136-145 mEq/L. Sodium is an element, or an electrolyte,
that is found in the blood. Sodium chloride is known commonly as table salt.
What Causes Hyponatremia?
Certain conditions may cause a lack of sodium in the blood. Specific causes of hyponatremia
include:

Water intoxication (water replacement without replacement of blood electrolytes).

Kidney, heart or liver problems.

Drugs - such as diuretics, Heparin, certain chemotherapy drugs

(Aminoglutethimide, Cyclophosphamide and Vincristine).

Conditions related to steroid, hormone or defects in your metabolism such as: Syndrome
of Inappropriate Anti-Diuretic Hormone (SIADH) - This occurs when a hormone, ADH, is
not being properly regulated. You may be urinating frequently, and your kidneys are
excreting too much sodium. This may occur as a result of many conditions, including
certain types of lung cancer.

What Are Some Symptoms of Hyponatremia To Look For?

You may not have any symptoms, unless your blood sodium levels are significantly
decreased.

The presence of symptoms is noticed with abrupt changes in your sodium level. If your
sodium levels have declined gradually, you may not notice any symptoms of
hyponatremia.

Slightly disoriented.

Confusion, or coma, with a significant drop in blood sodium levels.

Things You Can Do If Your Blood Test Results Indicate Hyponatremia:

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding increasing your blood sodium
level. If your blood test results show sodium levels are severely decreased, he or she may
suggest that you restrict your water intake

Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these can cause you to have electrolyte disturbances.

Follow all of your healthcare provider's recommendations for follow up blood work and
laboratory tests.

Drugs That May Be Prescribed By Your Doctor for Hyponatremia:

Sodium levels must be corrected carefully. If your blood test results indicate you have a
very low sodium level, your healthcare provider will cautiously correct the levels, to a
"safe level."

Intravenous (IV) fluids with a high-concentration of sodium, and/or diuretics to raise your
blood sodium levels.

Loop Diuretics - also known as "water pills" as they work to raise blood sodium levels, by
making you urinate out extra fluid. The fluid that is lost (called "free water") is usually
replaced with an IV solution that contains a high level of sodium. A common example of
this type of medication is Furosemide (e.g Lasix). You may receive this medication alone
or in combination with other medications.

When To Call Your Doctor or Health Care Provider About Hyponatremia:

A sudden episode of confusion, or disorientation.

Muscle weakness.

Poor appetite that does not improve.

Shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort; should be evaluated immediately.

Return to list of Blood Test Abnormalities

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific
medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be
helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice.

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Part

What is swelling?
Swelling, otherwise known as edema, is a build up of fluid in the body. Swelling most often
affects the dependent extremities (like the feet, ankles and hands) but swelling can also affect
other parts of the body, such as the abdomen. Causes of swelling include:

Fluid retention, including salt and water related to medication, heart disease, liver
disease, or kidney failure.

Blockage of veins or lymph system.

Malnutrition.

Chemotherapy-related, or cancer swelling:

Some chemotherapy drugs can cause fluid retention in the body. This form of cancer
swelling is most noticable in the feet, ankles, hands, and face.

Swelling or angioedema may also occur with hives as part of an allergic reaction. It is a
vascular reaction that causes an increased ability for fluid in the cells to "leak" into the
layers of the skin, resulting in swelling. This happens much less often than hives alone.
The fluid retention causes swelling generally in the tongue, lips, or eyelids. Swelling of the
airways can result in difficulty breathing, closing off of the airway and death. If swelling is
happening along with signs of breathing difficulty seek help immediately.

What are some symptoms of swelling to look for?

Feet and lower legs get larger when you sit or walk.

Take a look at your feet, ankles and hands. Are they swollen? When you press on the
skin with your finger, is there an indentation that stays for a few seconds? If so, you may
have "pitting edema."

Hands feel tight when you make a fist

Rings are too tight

Abdomen appears to be swelling or distended

Shortness of breath (especially when lying down)

Things you can do to manage swelling:

Elevate your feet as often as possible. (Either sitting in a chair with your feet on a stool
with a pillow or in the bed or couch with feet up on two pillows)

Do not stand for long periods of time.

Avoid tight clothing (shoes, girdles, etc).

Do not cross your legs.

Reduce your salt intake if swelling is present. Avoid foods such as bouillon, potato chips,
tomato juice, bacon, ham, canned soups, soy sauce, and table salt, for example.

Try to eat a balanced diet (see eating well section).

If your swelling is severe, consider wearing Jobst stockings or TED hose.

Weigh yourself daily. Notify your doctor or health care provider if you have gained 5
pounds or more in a week.

Take your medications exactly as prescribed.

Drugs or recommendations that may be prescribed by your doctor or health care provider
for symptoms of swelling:

Depending upon the causes of your swelling, your doctor or health care provider may
prescribe a diuretic. Diuretics - may be known as "water pills" as they work by making
you urinate out extra fluid. Some examples of this medication may include furosemide
(Lasix(), and Hydrochlorthiazide. You may receive this medication alone or in
combination with other medications.

Your doctor or health care provider may recommend that you see a registered dietician to
help plan a diet tailored to your condition.

When to call your doctor or health care provider about swelling:

Call your doctor or health care provider immediately:

If you are short of breath.

Call your doctor or health care provider within 24 hours:

If you have gained 5 pounds or more in one week.

If you develop sudden and severe fluid retention.

Your feet or hands feel cold to the touch.

If you are unable to eat for more than a day.

If you have urinated only a little bit or not at all.

If the swelling appears to move up your arms or legs.

Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific
medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website about swelling and
other medical conditions is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for
medical advice.