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Why Are my Hands Swollen?

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: January 16, 2017
Why Are my Hands Swollen?

The hands are a part of our body that we use frequently throughout the day. As a result, any damage that we may inflict on them potentially poses a real nuisance to us when performing any task. In the case of swollen hands, the feeling is very unpleasant and can be caused by different factors, among which are the build-up of fluid or increased blood flow. If you're asking yourself: Why are my hands swollen? Then keep reading this OneHowTo article and find the answer.

Circulation problems

Some factors such as high cholesterol can cause raised blood pressure, which results in a stronger flow of blood. As a result, our heart and lungs work more quickly, so we get tired and there is less blood going to our extremities such as the hands and feet. Similarly, when we do exercise it increases the blood flow in the lungs, heart and muscles reducing the amount of blood in our extremities and dilating blood vessels, causing swelling. If you want to know more about how to improve poor blood circulation, click on this article.

Why Are my Hands Swollen? - Circulation problems

Fluid retention

Another of the most common reasons why you may have swollen hands is a build-up of fluid. One of the reasons why this fluid retention happens is due to having too much sodium in your diet as well as being a symptom of women's periods or during the last months of pregnancy. Other conditions such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis also produce inflammation in the joints, besides pain and redness. A sedentary lifestyle, stress and certain weather conditions may also be responsible for fluid retention. In this article we explain how to prevent it.

Why Are my Hands Swollen? - Fluid retention

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Furthermore, carpal tunnel syndrome is another factor that can cause swelling in our hands. This is a common condition in women and develops in the passage formed by the bones in which the median nerve is found. This nerve is what controls the sensitivity and mobility of the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. It is possible for some people to be born with this condition while others may suffer from it when making movements.

Other factors that cause swollen hands

Taking certain medication such as those used to control diabetes and high blood pressure as well as antidepressants, can cause swelling in the extremities, including the hands. Other drugs that may have the same effect are hormonal such as birth control pills. Another underlying reason for swollen hands is an allergic reaction. When the body detects a foreign agent it defends itself by releasing histamine into the blood that produces inflammation. On the other hand, the swelling may be caused by more serious conditions related to heart problems, kidney or liver failure, and thyroid problems.

Why Are my Hands Swollen? - Other factors that cause swollen hands

Go to your doctor

It is important to go to your doctor in order to fight swollen hands as well as taking into account a few guidelines to follow. First, you should eat a low-salt diet to avoid causing excess water retention and also do physical exercise. In addition, it is also advisable to avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Remedies to reduce swollen hands

We can consider a series of measures that will help us combat the symptoms of swollen hands.

  • Ice. Just apply some ice wrapped a cloth to reduce the swelling in our hands.
  • Ginger. Ginger root is very effective against inflammation, so an infusion of this plant will provide relief from swelling.
  • Aloe vera. This plant is well known for its beneficial properties for the skin, so it also helps to reduce inflammation in the hands. Apply some aloe vera gel and gently massage over the area.
Why Are my Hands Swollen? - Remedies to reduce swollen hands

This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Why Are my Hands Swollen?, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.

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