Swollen Tounge

My right foot swells off an on, seems like when I am eating badly, high sodium foods but it doesn't happen to the right foot.  Also, my main concern is that I have had swollen tounge in the past but I was eating better and it had not happened for awhile and this time it swelled in an odd way that really scared me, I thought I would choke on my tounge, but it's day 2 now and the swelling is still here and it kind of hurts like when you eat too many sun flower seeds and my mouth keep sgetting really dry.  I have lost my appetite and am trying to avoid salty foods in case that is it but the swelling is really irritating me.

Does anyone have any idea what it might be?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Unexplained swelling of the lip without any predisposing disease is frequently caused by allergies. An allergic reaction can occur suddenly, even in a person with no previous history of allergy.This swelling of the lip is called angioedema.It is the rapid swelling (edema) of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, mucosa and submucosal tissues.Symptoms include swelling of any body part which appears suddenly and comes and goes.

Diagnosis is by clinical examination and complete blood tests,electrolytes and renal function tests.Traetment is by antihistaminics and steroids.

Other possibilities of swelling of lips may be acromegaly,Crohn’s disease,cardiac or renal disorders,herpes and myxedema.It is very difficult to make a diagnosis without examination.So pls get yourself examined by a physician and the diagnosis confirmed.Also sometimes angioedema can be life threatening when it involves the larynx and airways.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.