Swollen Hands And Feet
Reasons For Swollen Hands And Feet
Swollen hands and feet can be an uncomfortable condition. In most cases, it indicates an over accumulation of water within the system and this can be brought on for many different reasons. Consuming too much salt or a woman who is menstruating are the most common reasons for having swollen hands and feet but these things are not considered dangerous. But this is a symptom of a few medical conditions that can be harmful or even fatal if they are left untreated.
Edema is a condition where the tissues in the body hold in excess water. This water is held in the compartments or interstitial spaces within the body tissues and outside of the blood vessels. The most common reason for edema is salt retention from consuming too much salt. But it can also indicate liver, heart or kidney problems. Swollen hands and feet are usually the symptoms of edema but there can be localized swelling or water retention seen anywhere in the body. Pitting or non pitting edema can help a doctor diagnose the problem. Non pitting edema does not have any indentations and it is usually seen in people who have hypothyroidism or lymphatic system problems. With pitting edema, there are clear signs of indentations or stockings.
Idiopathic edema can cause swollen hands and feet on a monthly basis. This is because it affects women when they menstruate. It is a pitting edema but it has no other underlying cause or disease associated with it. It only occurs in post menstrual or post menopausal women and it is also known as cyclical edema. This is not a serious condition but a doctor can prescribe a diuretic to remove water from the body and he may also suggest that the person reduce salt intake during this time.
A pregnant woman can experience swollen hands and feet. During this time, the uterus pressures the pelvic veins and the vena cava and this slows blood circulation. Due to the pressure this puts on the blood, the water is pushed into the tissues surrounding the feet and ankles. This adds to the ordinary water retention that already occurs in pregnant women and also causes swollen hands and fingers. This is also not considered a dangerous situation but it can still be very uncomfortable for the expectant mother.
Arthritis is another medical problem that can cause swollen hands and feet. But this isn’t due to water retention. Arthritis happens when cartilage between the bones becomes dried out and does not cushion the bone anymore. The bones will start to rub together and this causes pain and inflammation in the joints. Along with pain, the area will become hot and swollen, especially where the pain is located. The symptoms of arthritis can be lessened by taking an anti inflammatory drug to reduce swelling and by resting the area.
Allergies can cause swelling and pain but it may not be as easy to diagnose. For example, an allergic reaction to medication or a particular type of food might not be immediately linked to an allergy. But there are a few types of allergies that are easy to identify. When a person gets stung or bitten by an insect there can be swelling and pain and if the problem worsens, the person is allergic to the sting. Allergies also have nothing to do with water retention.
If you have the symptoms of swollen hands and feet and you do not know why, you should make an appointment to see the doctor immediately. Most of the time, this can be easily cured but certain kinds of water retention problems can be a symptom of heart disease or kidney failure. So it is important to rule out these other possibilities.