What should I do for swelling?

ACS Answer

Swelling (edema) is a build-up of water in body tissue. Common causes include salt and water retention (due to medication or to heart, liver, or kidney failure), malnutrition, pelvic tumors, and obstruction in the veins or lymph system. Water can also build up in the abdomen, which would make it look swollen.

What to look for

• Feet and lower legs get larger when you sit in a chair or walk
• Rings feel too tight for fingers
• Hands feel tight when making a fist
• Abdomen looks distended or blown up
• Trouble breathing, especially when lying down (see section on shortness of breath)

What to do

• Avoid table salt and salt in cooking, and avoid foods that are very high in salt.
• Eat as well as you can. (See section on poor appetite.)
• Take medication as prescribed by the doctor.
• Rest in bed with feet up on two pillows.
• When sitting in chair, keep feet elevated on a stool with a pillow.

Do not

• Use table salt on food or in cooking
• Use salt and monosodium glutamate; remember to check food labels for these products
• Forget to take medications
• Rest feet on the floor

Call the doctor about any of the following symptoms

• If you can't eat for a day or more
• If you haven't gone to the bathroom or have urinated very little for a day or more
• If you press your finger into a swollen area and the fingertip mark remains
• If swelling spreads up legs or arms
• If belly appears puffy or blown up
• If you have shortness of breath

Related Resources

Find books that cover this and other cancer topics at the American Cancer Society bookstore.

Recommended Consultation

You should consider discussing this question with your doctor or health care team.

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