Swollen hands and causes that shouldn’t be ignored

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Swollen hands are a condition in which a large amount of fluid accumulates in the tissues of the hands. Exercise, eating foods high in salt, or certain diseases can cause swollen hands. This condition causes some annoyance and discomfort to those who experience it. Although most of the time, swollen hands are nothing to worry about, สมัคร UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ sometimes they are a warning sign of an illness that needs to be treated before it has a negative effect on your health.

What causes swollen hands?

Swollen hands can be caused by many things, including illnesses, daily lifestyles, and even uncontrollable factors such as weather conditions.

Examples of causes of swollen hands are as follows:

Swollen hands due to lifestyle and weather conditions

  • Eating too much salt can make it harder for your kidneys to remove unwanted fluid from your bladder, causing fluid to build up in certain organs, including your hands.
  • Sleeping in an improper position , especially when sleeping on your hands and putting too much weight on them, can cause swelling in your hands in the morning.
  • Exercise increases blood flow to the heart, lungs and muscles, but it also decreases blood flow to the extremities and legs, leading to cold hands and feet. Sometimes, blood vessels prevent this by dilating them, causing the hands to swell after exercise.
  • Hot weather: When temperatures rise suddenly, the body may initiate a process that helps cool the body down by sweating through the skin. However, on very hot and humid days, the body may not sweat as much, causing fluid to pool under the skin instead of being expelled, which can lead to swollen hands.

Swollen hands from various diseases or illnesses

Lymphedema 

is caused by the retention of lymph fluid under the skin. It occurs in people who have had their lymph nodes removed during cancer treatment, especially breast cancer patients who have had lymph nodes removed in the armpit, who may be at higher risk of developing this condition in their hands months or years after treatment.

Arthritis 

Inflammation of the joints can cause morning swelling in the hands and fingers. Types of arthritis that cause swollen hands include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Scleroderma 

is an autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue, causing the skin to thicken and harden. The first signs of scleroderma are swelling of the hands and fingers in the morning.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

People diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome  may experience compression of the wrist while sleeping, which can result in morning swelling of the hand.

Kidney problems: 

Since the kidneys are responsible for removing waste products and excess water from the body, if the kidneys are not functioning properly, fluid retention can occur, leading to swelling in the hands. However, swelling is often seen in other parts of the body as well.

Preeclampsia 

is a condition in which blood pressure rises and organs in the body malfunction. It can occur after about 20 weeks of pregnancy and can be life-threatening for both mother and baby. It causes the body to retain fluid and gain weight rapidly, resulting in swelling, especially in the hands and feet.

How to deal with swollen hands

Proper treatment can be achieved if the cause of the swollen hands is addressed. Therefore, if your hands are very swollen or do not go away on their own, you should see a doctor for a thorough diagnosis. However, even minor hand swelling may go away on its own without the need for treatment. However, the following practices may help reduce and prevent such symptoms.

  • Keep moving the swollen hand or increase the movement of the hand muscles to help the body move excess fluid back to the heart.
  • Raise the swollen hand above the level of your heart several times a day.
  • Regular gentle hand massage may help to disperse excess fluid from the swollen area.
  • Wear medical-grade elastic gloves to tighten the tissues on your hands to prevent fluid retention.
  • Keep swollen hands clean and moisturized, and be careful of injuries or accidents, as dry, cracked skin, scratches, and cuts on swollen hands can easily become infected.
  • Avoid eating foods high in salt,  as this can increase fluid retention and worsen swelling.

Signs and symptoms that should prompt you to see a doctor

Swollen, red, cracked skin that is shiny or has a deep dimple when pressed is a sign that the patient should see a doctor. In addition, if the patient has difficulty breathing, has difficulty breathing or has chest pain, along with swelling in the legs, they should see a doctor immediately because these symptoms may be signs of pulmonary edema, which is a condition that requires proper and urgent treatment.