Swelling of the arm

Arms | General Practice | Swelling of the arm (Disease)


Description

Result of excess interstitial fluid in the arms, this type of edema may be unilateral or bilateral and may develop gradually or spontaneously. Arm edema may be aggravated by limb immobilization and decreased by raising arms and exercise. Arm edema fluid imbalance signal, located between the vascular and interstitial space.

Although the swelling usually does not cause itching, they can cause a burning or tingling. If edema spreads to the larynx, signs of respiratory distress may occur.

Later, the patient may develop signs and general symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, cramps, fever, chills, hypotension, headache and, in severe cases, dyspnea, convulsions and paralysis. Bilateral arm edema usually progresses slowly in this disorder and is accompanied by facial and neck edema. Dilated veins marks the edematous areas. The patient also complains of headaches, dizziness and blurred vision.

Causes and Risk factors

It usually occurs after trauma, venous diseases, toxins or certain drugs. Within two days of burning arm edema may occur, pain and tissue damage. Angioedema is a reaction characterized by frequent spontaneous appearance of a painless swelling of the hands, feet, eyelids, lips, face, neck, genitals or viscera.

Venomous snake bites, aquatic animals or insects initially may cause edema around the bite or sting that quickly spreads to the whole arm. Pain, redness and itching are common at this level. Paresthesia occurs occasionally.

Located in the arm edema may result from infiltration of intravenous fluids in the interstitial tissue. A radical mastectomy that disrupts lymphatic drainage may cause edema of the entire arm, and can and auxiliary lymph nodes dissection.

Also, radiation therapy for breast cancer may produce arm edema immediately after treatment or months later. Shortly after injury, severe edema may affect the entire arm. This may be accompanied by superficial bruising or bleeding, pain or numbness and paralysis. Thrombophlebitis can cause swelling, pain and warmth in the arm. Deep vein thrombophlebitis can also produce cyanosis, fever, chills and malaise. Superficial thrombophlebitis can cause tenderness, redness and induration along the vein.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diuretic medications are the most common drugs used to treat swelling. Diuretic medications cause the kidney to release more sodium and water into the urine. Diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease and congestive heart failure. ...