What Is Swelling Called Quizlet? The Medical Term for Fluid Buildup

October 1, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the American Kidney Fund, edema is swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues. If you are wondering what is swelling called Quizlet, the medical term you are looking for is edema, a common condition that can range from a temporary inconvenience to a sign of a serious underlying health problem.

Quick Summary

Edema is the medical term for swelling caused by excess fluid accumulation in body tissues, which is a common concept found in Quizlet study sets. It can affect various parts of the body and results from different health issues, injuries, medications, or lifestyle factors.

Key Points

Medical Term: The medical term for swelling, commonly seen on Quizlet, is edema, which is caused by excess fluid in the body's tissues.
Common Causes: Edema is often caused by underlying health conditions such as heart, kidney, or liver disease, venous insufficiency, pregnancy, or high salt intake.
Key Symptoms: Look for puffiness, stretched or shiny skin, a feeling of heaviness, and pitting, where an indentation is left after pressure is applied.
Pitting vs. Non-Pitting: Pitting edema leaves a visible dent, while non-pitting edema (often associated with lymphedema) is firmer and does not indent.
Home Management: Simple strategies like elevating swollen limbs, exercising, wearing compression garments, and reducing salt intake can help manage edema.
Medical Emergency: Swelling combined with shortness of breath, chest pain, or sudden onset in one limb requires immediate medical attention.

What is Edema?

Edema is the medical term for swelling and is caused by the accumulation of excess fluid within the body's tissues. This fluid, which typically leaks from tiny blood vessels called capillaries, can build up anywhere, though it most commonly affects the feet, ankles, and legs due to gravity. While mild edema can be a temporary issue caused by things like sitting for too long or eating a salty meal, persistent or severe swelling can indicate a more significant health concern. It's crucial to understand the difference and when to seek medical advice.

Causes of Edema

Edema can be caused by a wide range of factors, from simple lifestyle habits to complex medical conditions. Identifying the root cause is a key step in management and treatment.

Medical Conditions Leading to Edema

Congestive Heart Failure: When the heart's pumping ability is compromised, blood can back up in the legs, ankles, and feet, causing swelling. It can also lead to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), causing shortness of breath.
Kidney Disease: The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. When they are not working properly, excess fluid and sodium can build up in the body, leading to edema, often around the eyes and in the legs.
Liver Disease (Cirrhosis): Severe liver damage can cause fluid to accumulate in the abdominal cavity, a condition known as ascites, and in the legs.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Weakened or damaged valves in the leg veins make it difficult for blood to flow back to the heart, causing it to pool and leak fluid into the surrounding tissues.
Lymphedema: Damage or blockage in the lymphatic system prevents the proper drainage of fluid from tissues, leading to swelling, most commonly in an arm or leg.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg, can block blood flow and cause sudden, painful swelling. This is a medical emergency.

Lifestyle and Other Factors

Prolonged Standing or Sitting: Gravity can cause fluid to pool in the lower extremities if you remain in one position for too long.
High Salt Intake: Consuming too much salt causes your body to retain water, which can contribute to swelling.
Pregnancy: The growing uterus puts pressure on the vena cava, the large vein that returns blood from the legs to the heart, leading to fluid retention and swelling in the legs.
Certain Medications: Some drugs, including NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), steroids, and certain blood pressure medications, can cause edema as a side effect.
Injury or Infection: Your body sends extra blood and fluid to an injured or infected area to aid healing, causing localized swelling.
Allergic Reactions: Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) can cause rapid and life-threatening swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and throat.

Understanding Different Types of Edema

Edema can be classified in different ways depending on its location and characteristics. Some common types include:

Peripheral Edema: Swelling that affects the feet, ankles, legs, and sometimes arms.
Pulmonary Edema: Fluid accumulation in the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.
Cerebral Edema: Swelling in the brain, which is often a life-threatening emergency.
Macular Edema: Fluid buildup in the macula of the eye, which can affect central vision.
Periorbital Edema: Puffiness and inflammation around the eyes due to fluid buildup.
Pitting Edema: Characterized by a temporary indentation or 'pit' left in the skin after pressure is applied.
Non-Pitting Edema: Swelling that is firmer to the touch and does not leave an indentation when pressed.
Ascites: Fluid accumulation specifically within the abdominal cavity, commonly seen with liver disease.

Pitting vs. Non-Pitting Edema: A Comparison


Feature	Pitting Edema	Non-Pitting Edema
Physical Indentation	Leaves a visible indentation or 'pit' when pressed.	Does not leave a persistent indentation when pressed.
Tissue Consistency	Softer and more fluid-filled to the touch.	Firmer and more solid.
Cause	Can be caused by many issues, including heart failure, venous insufficiency, and high salt intake.	More commonly associated with lymphatic system problems (lymphedema), hypothyroidism, or lipedema.
Appearance	Skin may look shiny or stretched.	Skin may look thickened or have a leathery texture over time.

Managing and Treating Swelling

Treatment for edema depends on the underlying cause, but many self-care strategies can help reduce swelling.

At-Home Management

Elevate Swollen Limbs: Resting with the affected area elevated above heart level, especially while lying down, can help drain excess fluid.
Exercise and Movement: Regular physical activity, even gentle walking or simple leg and ankle movements, can improve circulation and reduce fluid buildup.
Reduce Salt Intake: Limiting sodium in your diet is one of the most effective ways to minimize fluid retention.
Wear Compression Garments: Support socks, stockings, or sleeves can apply pressure to the limbs, helping to move fluid back toward the heart.
Massage: Stroking the affected area toward the heart with firm, gentle pressure may help move fluid out of the area.

Medical Treatment

Diuretics: For more severe cases, a doctor may prescribe diuretics (commonly called 'water pills') to help the body excrete excess fluid through urine.
Treating the Underlying Condition: Ultimately, the most effective treatment is to address the medical condition causing the edema, whether it's heart, kidney, or liver disease.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage: A specialized massage technique performed by a therapist to help reduce lymphedema swelling.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While mild, temporary swelling is usually not a cause for alarm, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical care:

Sudden Swelling in Only One Limb: This could be a sign of a blood clot (DVT).
Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing: This may indicate fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
Chest Pain, Pressure, or Tightness: These are potential signs of heart-related issues.
Swelling with Fever, Redness, or Warmth: Could point to an infection like cellulitis.
Rapid or Severe Swelling During Pregnancy: This can be a sign of a serious condition like preeclampsia.
Persistent or Worsening Swelling: If swelling doesn't improve with home care, a doctor's evaluation is necessary to rule out underlying issues.

Conclusion

For anyone studying medical terminology on Quizlet, the term for swelling is edema. This condition, caused by excess fluid trapped in bodily tissues, has numerous potential causes, from simple lifestyle factors to serious medical conditions. While minor, temporary swelling can often be managed with self-care, persistent, unexplained, or severe edema—especially when accompanied by other concerning symptoms—should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Understanding the signs and knowing when to seek help is a critical component of maintaining good general health.

To learn more about healthy lifestyle choices for managing swelling, you can visit the Harvard Health blog at health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/easing-summer-swelling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Inflammation is the body's immune response to injury or irritation, while swelling is the physical accumulation of fluid in tissues, which can be one of the results of inflammation. However, swelling can also occur without inflammation, as is the case with fluid retention from conditions like heart failure.

Yes, eating too much salt is a common cause of fluid retention, which can lead to swelling. Sodium makes your body hold onto more fluid, so reducing salt intake is often recommended for managing edema.

Prolonged inactivity can cause fluid to pool in the lower legs and feet due to gravity. The weakened valves in your leg veins, known as venous insufficiency, can also make it harder for blood to pump back to the heart, contributing to this type of swelling.

Yes, it is very common for pregnant women to experience mild swelling in their legs and feet as the enlarging uterus puts pressure on the veins that return blood from the lower body to the heart. However, sudden or severe swelling can also be a sign of a more serious condition, like preeclampsia, and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Pitting edema is a type of swelling where pressing a finger against the swollen area leaves a temporary dimple or pit in the skin. It is a common symptom of various conditions that cause fluid retention, including heart or kidney disease.

For mild swelling, you can elevate the affected limb above your heart, exercise gently to improve circulation, and reduce your salt intake. Wearing compression socks or sleeves can also be beneficial.

You should seek immediate medical attention if swelling is sudden, unexplained, affects only one limb, or is accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, or fever. Persistent or worsening swelling also warrants a doctor's visit.