Anyone experience unexplained swelling?

Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki

<font color=peach>I took matters into my own hands
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Mar 9, 2000
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It has lasted about 24 hours. Ankles, feet, hands, fingers, arms, neck.

My first thought would be too much salt intake, but diet included no more salt than usual.

Second thought--msg or some combination of spices from eating at Fudruckers yesterday.

Third thought--something more serious, but no real reasons.

What could cause unexplained swelling besides those things?
 
My neighbor (34 yr old female) had unexplained swelling in her arm...it ended up being a blood clot. She was having some minor pain too.
 
I don't think it's a blood clot if there is swelling everywhere like that. If it was a blood clot it would be confined to one arm or leg. Wow that's really scary. How swollen? Just a little or bad? I think I would go to the E.R. That just isn't normal. Sometimes if I've been on my feet all day or if it's that time of the month my ankles will swell a little but I've never had my arms swell.
 
Other than the overall edema, how do you feel?
 

I know it's Sunday and it's late, but I would go to the doctor......Swelling, just like fever, is an indication that your body is trying to fight something.
Inflammation is one of the causes of disease. Your body should NEVER be inflamed like that for no reason.....

From WebMD:
Swelling - Topic Overview
Swelling is an increase in the size or a change in the shape of an area of the body. Swelling can be caused by collection of body fluid, tissue growth, or abnormal movement or position of tissue.

Most people will have swelling at some time. When it is hot and you have stood or sat in the same position for a long time, you might notice swelling in your feet and ankles. Staying in one position for any length of time increases the risk that the lower legs, feet, or hands will swell because body fluid will normally move down a limb from the effects of gravity. Swelling can also be caused by heat-related problems, such as heat edema from working or being active in a hot environment.

Body fluid can collect in different tissue spaces of the body (localized) or can affect the whole body (generalized). Causes of localized swelling include:

Injury to a specific body area. Bruising (contusion) from an injury is caused by tears in the small blood vessels under the skin. Bleeding can also affect the joint (hemarthrosis) or the area that cushions and lubricates the joint (traumatic bursitis). Swelling can affect just one area or may involve large sections of the body, such as swelling that occurs following a motor vehicle accident.
Infection, which can occur in a joint or under the skin. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the site of infected tissue. Cellulitis is a skin infection that can cause mild or severe swelling.
Burns, which can cause swelling at the site of the burn or in a larger area around the burn.
Inflammation that occurs when tissue is irritated by overuse or repeated motion.
Swelling of the tendon and swelling caused by a series of small tears around a tendon (tendinosis) can occur together or separately.
Swelling of the sac that cushions and lubricates the joint (bursitis) can be caused by prolonged or repeated pressure or by activities that require repeated twisting or rapid joint movements.
Insect bites or stings. Most insect bites or stings cause a small amount of redness or swelling. Some people have an allergic reaction to a bite or sting and develop a lot of swelling, redness, and itching.
Other causes, such as swelling related to a saclike structure with clear fluid, blood, or pus (cyst) or a swollen organ, such as a salivary gland. For more information, see the topic Swollen Glands.
Causes of generalized swelling include:

Allergic reaction. Sudden swelling of the hands and face may be a severe allergic reaction and needs immediate medical evaluation.
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. These diseases can cause swelling when the body produces antibodies and other cells that attack and destroy tissues in the body.
Medications. Some medications change how body fluids circulate, causing swelling. Swelling may also occur as an allergic reaction to a medication.
Circulation problems related to certain medical conditions, such as peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, diabetes, or kidney disease. Thrombophlebitis causes swelling of an extremity when a blood clot interrupts blood flow in a vein in the arm or leg.
Fluid that accumulates in the abdomen (ascites) because of other problems, such as malnutrition, obesity, cirrhosis, or liver disease.

Swelling - Topic Overview
(continued)
Some people may experience swelling as a reaction to a medical treatment, procedure, or surgery. Swelling from a medical treatment may be related to the procedure or to a substance, such as dye, used during the procedure. Swelling may occur at an intravenous (IV) site used during a procedure or at an IV site used for medications given at home. Some swelling at the site of surgery is normal, such as swelling of the arm after a mastectomy. Lymphedema is swelling that occurs in an area around lymph nodes that have been removed (such as following surgery) or injured (such as following radiation treatments).

Swelling can also be caused by the fluctuation of hormone levels within the body. Some women may notice swelling from retaining fluid during their menstrual cycles. Some women experience mild swelling in their hands or feet during pregnancy. Swelling in the feet may be more noticeable in the third trimester of the pregnancy. Generalized swelling can be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia). For more information, see the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Swelling can occur when tissues move out of their normal position, such as hernias in the abdomen. For more information, see the topic Inguinal Hernia.

Most of the time swelling is mild and goes away on its own. You may not even know what caused the swelling. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve mild symptoms.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.
 
I read the WebMD article and didn't find anything that seemed to apply to this situation. It's like the swelling that occurs during pregnancy, but it's all over.

The odd thing is that my blood pressure and pulse are not high...they're within normal range. There is discomfort from overall swelling, but otherwise, everything else is okay.
 
It could be an allergic reaction to something.

RRR, as smart as I know you are, I know you're going to seek medical attention. My once long list of 'favorite Dis'ers' has grown much shorter recently. You have always been on it and I am very glad you're still around.

I know better than to challenge you (learned that one the hard way!), so I'm just going to ask you to call your doctor tomorrow or seek medical attention tonight if the swelling worsens or you develop any additional symptoms.
 
Are you overweight and is it hot?

I am overweight and when it gets hot I tend to swell all over more. I actually have a different wedding band set to wear in the summer than in the winter.
 
Let us know how you're doing tomorrow. I'm also guessing like the other posters that it's an allergic reaction. The bad thing about becoming allergic to something later on in life instead of during childhood is that you can show mild symptoms the first or second time, and then when you're confronted with that specific allergan again, it can mean big trouble.
I've developed several allergies as an adult, had localized swelling and itching, and I won't go near those triggers again.

Good Luck:cutie:
 
I hope you called your doctor. If you were someone who had respiratory or heart problems or liver/kidney disease this would be a very serious symptom.

Call your doctor. If you start having any pain or any difficulty breathing, call 911.

Keep us updated, ok?
 
I second the possiblity of a reaction...could you take some benedryl and see if it helps if you think it might be that?

Don't mean to freak you out about the clot, my neighbor (I took her to the ER) had swelling in one limb only and some pain.
 
I've been wondering all day how you are. Is it better today and did you call your doctor?
 












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