Why legs and arms swell

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Swelling is a frustrating, sometimes painful, aspect of many short-term and chronic health issues. Ultimately swelling is rooted in temporary disruption or permanent damage to your lymphatic system.

Sometimes it’s a tell-tale symptom of an underlying problem. Other times swelling itself is the primary issue.

Swelling in your leg or arm -- or anywhere in the body for that matter -- is triggered in these ways:

Lymphedema is chronic, progressive swelling in your body's tissues. Most people develop lymphedema following trauma, surgery or disease; some are born with it.

Lipedema is a chronic condition of lymphatic dysfunction with abnormal accumulation of fat affecting women. It's activated with hormonal events -- puberty, pregnancy and menopause.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a common swelling condition that develops with age, weight gain, and as a result of other health issues. It's treatable and manageable at all stages.

If you've had lymph node dissection and/or removal and radiation during testing and treatments for cancer, damage to your lymphatic system with subsequent swelling or axillary web syndrome may result.

Swelling is a hitchhiker along for the ride when you have certain health conditions, especially diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, ulcers, cancers, poor leg circulation and obesity. 

Be it a broken bone or worse, acute swelling and inflammation is present and holding back your recovery.  Understand this process. What's your healing plan?

Whether it's scheduled or emergent following a mishap, your body experiences trauma, inflammation and acute swelling after surgery.