What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
edema
Example
The patient's edema was caused by their heart condition. [edema: noun]
Example
The doctor prescribed medication to reduce the edema in the patient's legs. [edema: noun]
swelling
Example
The athlete's ankle had significant swelling after the game. [swelling: noun]
Example
The patient's medication caused swelling in their hands and feet. [swelling: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Swelling is more commonly used than edema in everyday language. Swelling is a general term that covers a wide range of contexts, while edema is a more technical term used primarily in medical settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between edema and swelling?
Edema is a more formal term used primarily in medical settings, while swelling is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.
