Swelling occurs when a part of the body increases in size, typically as a result of injury, inflammation, or fluid retention. The medical term for swelling is edema. It can occur in the skin. Moving and using the muscles in the part of the body that's swollen, especially the legs, might help move fluid back toward the heart. A healthcare professional can talk about exercises that might lessen swelling. “Edema” is the medical term for swelling from fluid trapped in your body’s tissues. It happens most often in your feet, ankles and legs. But it can affect other body parts, too, like your face, hands and belly. Edema is common because many conditions can cause or contribute to it. Sometimes swollen feet and ankles can be caused due to a serious medical problem. So, it's important to understand what's causing your edema and contact your doctor if you have trouble walking. Below, doctors explain a few common reasons why you might be feeling puffier than usual in the feet area. They also note how serious the situation could get. There are definite health effects. Find out about swelling in the ankles, feet and legs (oedema), including what it looks like, common causes and what to do about it. Edema is swelling due to increased fluid in the tissue. It can result from inflammation, injury, certain medications, and various medical conditions. Though edema can affect any part of the body, it often occurs in the feet and legs. While it is more common in older adults and pregnant people, anyone can experience edema. The meaning of SWOLLEN is past participle of swell. How to use swollen in a sentence. Edema is swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body's tissues. Edema can affect any part of the body. But it's more likely to show up in the legs and feet. Medicines and pregnancy can cause edema. It also can be the result of a disease, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease, venous insufficiency or cirrhosis of the liver. Visible signs of swelling include enlargement of the affected area and fluid retention. Doctors can identify internal swelling through imaging tests. Treatment options range from lifestyle.