What causes swelling? And what is it?

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Swelling to an area of the body is called edema. There are a lot (actually, just seven) different causes for swelling through out the body or to a region of the body (such as just to the legs). I am going to guess that you are talking about swelling just to one area, such as with hives, a bee sting, or a sprained ankle...so I am going to skip the rest. If you are trying to find out about swelling to the belly of a person with liver disease or to the feet of a pregnant woman or such, please be more specific and I would be glad to help.

Localized edema, or inflammation, is a natural protective response by the body. If the tissues are irritated or injuried, specialized cells (called mast cells) release histamine in the area. Histamine does many things to the body, including causing the small blood vessels in the area (the capillaries) to begin leaking fluid. The capillaries normally hold most of the blood within them, but in the presence of histamine that will act like a filter, holding the most of the blood cells in but letting some of the liquid portion of the blood (and sometimes the white blood cells) leak out. Histamine also causes vasodilation...it causes the blood vessels to become larger in diameter. This increases the blood flow to the injured area. More blood flow, more fluid leaking out, more swelling. Altogether, this increases the flow of nutrients to the site--to speed healing, the number of available white blood cells to fight off infection, and serves to cushion the site and protect it against futher injury while it is healing (a great example is a blister...which is way you should never pop a blister). Sometimes, the injury that caused the swelling will also cause some of the blood vessels in the area to break...causing a bruise (a hematoma). A hematoma can add greatly to the swelling. If this is in a joint (such as the ankle) or deep in the tissues, you may or may not be able to seen a discoloration on the skin.

Other Answers:
internal cumbustion

swelling is increased blood flow to the area in question or inflamation. Usually happens when injured to help heal the area.

Oedema, infection, inflammation..the list could probably go on as you don't say what is swollen and if there are any likely reasons such as pregnancy!

1.itching the same spot over and over

2.burning your skin

3.bruising your skin

it depends on what type of sweeling you are asking about. If it is from a injury it is when the fluid has no where to go and it just collects until you are able to get the fluid to move. the second reason could be a very dangerous condition from differant disorders like diabetes heart diasese or hornmone changes in the body.

swelling happens because there is fluid exudation from the blood vessel to the surrounding tissue. The cause of exudation are infection, inflamation, leakage of blood vessel.

Inflammation and redness and itchyness.

1. Increased water in that area (swollen ankles, fingers).
2. An infection.
3. Increased blood flow to the area.
4. An injury causing increased blood flow to the area as the body tries to repair itself.

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What causes swelling? And what is it?

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