Edema: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if swelling occurs with:

   • Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, faintness, or coughing blood
   • Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat with trouble breathing
   • Severe breathing difficulty or confusion

   These symptoms can indicate a serious breathing or circulation problem.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek same-day care if one leg suddenly becomes swollen, painful, red, or warm.

   Also get prompt help for swelling with fever, rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, or much less urine than usual.

   During pregnancy or shortly after delivery, seek urgent advice for sudden swelling of the face or hands, especially with severe headache, vision changes, shortness of breath, or pain below the ribs.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is getting rapidly more short of breath, or has gained several pounds in a few days with swelling
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if edema is unexplained, recurring, worsening, or does not settle.

   Also seek advice for persistent swelling in one limb, skin sores or colour changes, or swelling that affects daily activities.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Edema. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.