Swollen Hands and Feet

Swollen hands and feet are known as idiopathic edema medically. There are many factors that can cause swelling in hands and feet and it is very difficult to find the exact cause. The common causes of swollen hands and feet include injury, infection, arthritis or pregnancy. This edema commonly affects the hands, feet, ankles and lower legs. It can also be seen in any area of the body that leads to systemic symptoms.

What Causes Swelling on Feet and Hands?
There are several factors that can be termed as swollen hands and feet causes. Let us learn about these causes of swelling on the hands and feet. There are different heart, kidney and liver diseases that lead to the build-up of excessive fluids in the body, leading to swollen hands and feet. The fluid may also accumulate in the chest, abdomen or the entire body, resulting in rapid weight gain. These are very dangerous situations that can prove to be fatal.

Pregnancy is another cause of swollen feet and hands. The uterus puts pressure on the pelvic veins and the vena cava that slows the circulation causing the blood to pool. This pressure due to the blood pushes the water into the tissues of the feet and ankles. Pregnant women also tend to retain excess water that may lead to swollen hands and feet. Menstruating women also tend to complain of swollen hands and feet. This problem is not specific to any particular time of the month. It is mainly due to the retained sodium in the body.

When one mentions swollen hands and feet, one of the most common underlying causes is arthritis. The most common symptom of this chronic, inflammatory condition is swelling in joints usually in the hands or feet.

Polycythemia vera, that is, a disorder due to overproduction of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, causes the blood to become thicker. This leads to clot in the small blood vessels. This blockage may sometimes lead to swollen hands and feet. At times, sitting or standing in the same potition for too long may also lead to swelling on the hands and feet.

Another cause of tumescent hands and feet is insect bite. Many people have allergies to insect stings and this may lead to swollen hands and feet. Serum sickness is another cause of swelling in hands and feet. The allergic reaction to medication may lead to serum sickness. Acromegaly is another disease in which a tumor in the pituitary gland leads to over-secretion of hormones. This over-secretion may lead to pain and swollen hands and feet.

The other causes of swollen hands and feet include frostbite. Blood clots in the veins also lead to swollen hands and feet. Another disorder known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy can lead to swollen hands or feet. This condition generally affects an arm or leg and very rare instances of infection in both hands and legs have been reported.

Symptoms of Swelling on Hands and Feet
The hands and legs appear swollen during the day. The swelling is first seen in the morning that will worsen as the day progresses. You may notice pitting due to the edema. When you press the swollen hands and feet, an indentation is seen in the area. This swelling may lead to ulcerations on the skin. There may also be development of high blood pressure, headaches, palpitations, puffy eyes and weight gain.

The doctor may advice treatment according to your condition. You may need to keep your feet elevated when sleeping or sitting. Walking exercises is a great way to increase muscle activity and decrease swelling. Decrease the amount of salt intake and avoid standing for long periods. Your doctor may advice diuretics for a short period. If you notice swollen hands and feet, consult your physician and find out the causes of swollen hands and feet.