Swelling of the right hand treatment. Swelling of the right hand causes. Symptoms, definition of swelling

Swollen fingers and hands, pain when bending joints and blue fingers: what woman would be delighted to see such a picture? Often, swelling appears in the morning after a stormy party or during pregnancy, but sometimes it can indicate rather unpleasant diseases lurking in your body. The concept of “edema” is deciphered very simply - it is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the body, which is not eliminated by itself for various reasons. Tissues of completely different organs, both inside and outside the body, can swell. But swelling of the hands causes considerable discomfort and sometimes even significant pain, because we are used to using this tool all the time. That is why it is worth understanding why your hands swell and how to properly treat the swelling.

Reasons why swelling of the arms, hands and fingers may occur

Sometimes we can accurately guess where the swelling in our hands came from in the morning. The most common reason for this is a large amount of liquid drunk the night before. This reason is not considered terrible, although, of course, it brings a certain amount of unpleasant sensations. You've probably noticed that in the morning you can't bend your fingers completely, they have an unusual color, and the rings are almost impossible to remove. This just speaks of swelling.

Swelling can also signal more serious problems that may not manifest themselves in any other way. For example, edema indicates diseases of the heart muscle. In older people, edema resulting from venous or cardiovascular insufficiency is not at all uncommon. This happens because the heart muscle is not working properly. full force Consequently, blood is not pumped at the required speed and stagnation occurs. As a rule, swelling due to heart failure begins to appear in the legs, gradually moving up to the arms, hands and fingers.

If your hands are swollen, the reasons can be very trivial: injuries, bruises, burns and cuts become the basis for this. Any traumatic tissue damage is necessarily manifested by swelling, regardless of the location. A child stumbles, falls and hits his knee on the asphalt - such an injury will undoubtedly swell and hurt at first, after which it will turn into a massive bruise. An adult will burn his hand when placing a baking dish in the oven - and again, hyperemia first occurs, that is, redness and swelling of the area, after which the swelling may subside in another one or two days.

A local allergic reaction in most cases is accompanied by tissue swelling. The following factors may contribute to this:

Bites from bees, wasps, mosquitoes and other insects,

Inappropriate response of the body to any type of food, drink or chemical substance, such as detergent,

Individual intolerance to animal hair, contact with fur or feathers,

Sensitivity of the skin of the face and body to various cosmetics, such as hand creams, tanning emulsions, etc.

In addition to the reasons described, the appearance of edema is seriously affected by renal failure or a pathological process occurring in this organ. The kidneys are responsible for removing fluid from our body, and when they fail to cope with the task, swelling invariably occurs in different parts of the body, for example, eyelids, arms, fingers, legs and other organs. Due to violation water balance regulated by the kidneys, the outflow of fluid is disrupted, it simply accumulates inside the body. Infectious diseases, as well as viruses that affect kidney function, can cause a slowdown in their work.

Among other things, it is worth mentioning the reasons why your hands may swell. These include:

1. Decrease in protein levels in the body,

2. Fragility of blood vessels and congenital pathologies of the vascular system,

3. Tumor processes,

4. Swelling of the hands during pregnancy,

5. Peripheral edema, that is, swelling of the arms or legs in the heat,

6. Postoperative swelling,

7. Endocrine disorders,

8. Inflammatory processes in bone tissues,

9. Purulent inflammations,

10. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle

11. Excessively active physical activity,

12. Long work without proper rest.

Swelling hands: how to understand that this is happening to you?

If one day you notice unusual sensations in the area of ​​your fingers or hands, it may be swelling. You can usually diagnose swelling yourself by comparing the size of one hand with the other or, in the case of swelling of both, with the size of the hand of another person of similar build. If one arm looks inflated like a balloon, it is difficult to bend your fingers or arm, or if a part of the body suddenly changes its natural color, consult a doctor immediately. The color range of the damaged hand can be different: from a purplish-red tint to bluish and even purple.

At the appointment, the doctor will first carefully conduct a survey, clarifying:

Did you drink excessive fluids the day before, including alcohol?

What kind of food did you eat?

Wasn't it for last 24 hours injuries, such as blows or bruises,

Have you been bitten by insects?

Do you have any congenital or acquired diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as the nervous or endocrine system?

It is mandatory for patients to undergo a urine and blood test, which determines the presence or absence of inflammatory processes. Next, the therapist makes a conclusion about the causes of swelling and can refer you to more specialized specialists: an endocrinologist, if the swelling accompanies thyroid diseases or hormonal disbalance in pregnant women, as well as a traumatologist, allergist or cardiologist. If more is needed detailed analysis situation, you may be asked to donate blood for analysis of tumor markers or a table of allergens in order to exclude or confirm the diagnosis.

If you want to know why your hands swell, do not neglect a visit to the doctor. Only a professional specialist will help you understand the reasons and prescribe competent treatment.

Swelling of the arms and legs: how to treat in a hospital or outpatient setting

As usual, the treatment of small and irregular swelling is quite simple. The doctor will prescribe the following medications:

To remove excess fluid from the body. As a rule, the choice is on diuretics in tablets.

Antiallergic medications, if swelling of the hands or fingers can be attributed to individual intolerance to food, household chemicals or cosmetics.

Antibacterial medications are prescribed in case of infectious or purulent inflammation.

Potassium and magnesium preparations to stabilize the amount essential microelements in organism. They will prevent swelling in the future.

Sometimes doctors prescribe special ointments for patients with swelling of the arms and legs that help remove swelling locally, but all of them are necessarily part of complex therapy.

Surgical treatment of swelling is indicated in extremely rare cases. Often this method is necessary for patients with purulent inflammation and sepsis, that is, conditions that seriously affect the human body, including blood poisoning or even the threat of death.

Thanks to the comprehensive treatment of swelling of the arms, hands and fingers, the swelling begins to disappear after just one to two weeks. You will notice the effectiveness of the therapy first on your fingertips, and then the swelling will disappear on your palms, hands, and so on.

Often the patients of medical clinics are pregnant women whose legs and arms swell. In a hospital setting, swelling of the extremities in pregnant women is treated with IVs and other medications, depending on the severity of the disease. Mild swelling can be treated with a special vitamin complex and a fluid-restricted diet. And when severe swelling occurs, accompanied by pain, cracks and the inability to move normally and perform everyday activities, therapy with magnesia and aminophylline is required. Both of these drugs reduce high blood pressure in blood vessels and relieve their tone, improve blood circulation and have a diuretic effect.

Traditional methods of therapy when fingers and hands swell

Swelling of the hands and fingers is treated mainly with applications and compresses. For example, many people know that a compress of chilled black tea will help quickly relieve morning swelling of the eyelids. You just need to brew it natural tea, cool it and apply moistened cotton pads to your eyelids.

If you hurt your leg or arm, cold will help quickly relieve the pain and prevent massive swelling from growing. This could be ice, a towel dipped in ice water, or even a piece of meat or a bag of dumplings from the freezer. It is enough to hold the compress for only 10-20 minutes, and the swelling will no longer be so huge.

When the swelling is allergic in nature, you must take the antihistamine available in your first aid kit. Unfortunately, sometimes slight puffiness can be a symptom of a dangerous condition - Quincke's edema. It is accompanied not only by hyperemia of the skin, itching and swelling, but can also spread to the respiratory system. You will feel short of breath, lightheaded, and dizzy. You should not joke with such symptoms, but you should call an ambulance as quickly as possible, because sometimes hours and even minutes count. For example, statistics say that 4 times more people die from angioedema or anaphylactic shock after a wasp sting. more people worldwide than from snakebites. Qualified doctors most often use to treat such swelling hormonal drugs in injections.

If you notice that your hands often swell, compresses and baths with medicinal herbs will help get rid of this problem. For example, the following will help quickly and effectively relieve swelling:

Birch leaves,

Rose hip,

Horsetail,

Chamomile,

Parsley,

Calendula,

Juniper,

St. John's wort,

Nettle and other plants.

Try preparing a special tincture of birch leaves, and also make hand baths with this ingredient. To create your own tincture, you need:

1. 50 grams of dry birch leaves,

2. Gender liter jar water,

3. Saucepan.

Pour hot water over birch leaves, place in a saucepan in a steam bath and leave for about 3-5 minutes. After this, wrap the jar in a towel and leave for 5-6 hours. Now you can take half a glass of tincture 3-4 times a day.

For a decongestant bath you will need birch leaves, water and a thick towel. Choose a comfortable water temperature so that it is not too cold, but not too hot. Place your hands in the bath and ask someone to cover the top of the container with a towel. Wait about 15-20 minutes. After a course of such birch baths, the swelling will gradually disappear.

In addition, rose hips will be an assistant in the process of getting rid of swelling of the hands. It is available to any of us, and it is quite inexpensive. You can simply brew a fragrant decoction of the fruit and drink it throughout the day. To do this, just pour 2 tbsp into a thermos. l. rose hips and pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Infuse the decoction for about 20 minutes.

It is also recommended to use a compress or bath to quickly relieve swelling. To do this, brew juniper, mint, string and chamomile, add half a glass of rosehip decoction. Soak gauze in this mixture, wrap your hands and leave for half an hour. After this, you can moisturize them with your favorite cream.

Preventive measures: how to prevent swelling of the hands

If you know exactly the reason why your or one of your family members’ hands are swelling, then just follow a few important rules, and you can certainly avoid this problem.

1. Try to drink less, especially at night and in the evening. If you really want to, eat a cucumber, an apple or a slice of watermelon.

2. Limit your consumption of salty foods and salt in general. As you know, this ingredient only retains fluid inside our body, and in general, salt is not that healthy seasoning. If you are a fan of salty foods, season it with soy sauce.

3. Strengthen blood vessels. Perform contrast douches, hardening procedures, walk more often, especially before bed. This way you will provide your body with normal blood circulation and avoid blood stagnation.

4. In order to prevent swelling that occurs in the morning, it is allowed to make baths and compresses for the hands before going to bed. If you don't have time to prepare decoctions medicinal herbs, make a compress from crushed cabbage leaves.

5. Ask your loved one to give you a hand massage. This will provide them with more active blood circulation and fluid outflow.

6. Visit your therapist regularly and take a general blood and urine test to find out the amount of protein in your body. When protein levels in the blood decrease, edema often appears.

7. Try not to come into contact with known and dangerous allergens; clean only with rubber gloves. Also don't use cosmetical tools, if you have an individual intolerance to one or another ingredient in their composition.

Fluid retention in soft tissues, including in the hands, causing them to swell or swell, can be explained by a number of reasons, in particular: cardiovascular diseases; kidney or liver diseases; diseases of endocrine organs; stagnation; poor nutrition, consumption large quantity liquid, salt or sugar.

Pregnancy can be a provoking factor for the appearance of edema in women. Treatment of hand swelling, which involves preventing the accumulation of lymphatic fluid, is carried out after a thorough examination and a clear diagnosis. An experienced osteopath can do this even without special equipment. Osteopathic treatment has virtually no contraindications and is therefore suitable for most patients.

Swelling of the hands is the result of a fluid called interstitium that accumulates in the hands. Edema can be unilateral or bilateral, and can develop gradually or suddenly. With immobility, the swelling usually increases, and with exercise or raising your arms, it decreases.

The following causes of hand swelling can be identified:

• allergic reactions when swelling of the hands was caused by some allergen;
• disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system;
• with superior vena cava syndrome;
• with thrombophlebitis, rather painful swelling of the hands occurs;
• hand injuries can subsequently lead to swelling of the hands;
• burns;
• immunological diseases;
• intoxication that occurs as a result of an attack by a poisonous animal.

In order to get rid of hand swelling, you should consult a doctor and follow all his instructions.

Questions and answers on the topic "Swelling of the hands"

Question:Why do my hands swell?

Answer: In order to identify the source of the problem in each specific case, it takes time so that the doctor can prescribe the necessary studies and tests that will help determine what caused the problem in the body that led to swelling of the hands. The condition in which the hands swell can accompany a variety of processes in the body: from pregnancy to complex hormonal disorders, so you should not look for an answer to this complex issue yourself, since the correct diagnosis is only within the competence of the doctor.

Question:Hello, I have a question - my mother is bedridden, after a stroke. Yesterday I noticed swelling in her hands, especially on her left hand, it looks like an inflated glove. The amount of liquid did not change during this period of time. Tell me, what could be causing this and how can I relieve the swelling?

Answer: Call your local therapist! You need to take diuretics! Be sure to consult your doctor!

Question:I am 44 years old, yesterday my blood pressure was 120/80, and today it is 90/60 and my fingers are swollen, I work in a mine. Is this a heart? Could this be work related?

Answer: Swelling of the fingers most likely indicates the accumulation of a large amount of fluid in the body. The cause of this phenomenon may be kidney disease or heart disease. Be sure to consult a general practitioner for examination (you need to do a urine test, ultrasound internal organs, cardiogram).

Question:Good afternoon. The problem is this: the woman is 43 years old. Hands and feet swell. Moreover, the arms swell equally, and the right leg swells more. At the same time, a tingling sensation is felt in the hands. Over the past six months, she has gained from 7 to 10 kg (she quit smoking). Before gaining weight, my legs never swelled. Tell me, what is this connected with? Could this be related to quitting smoking? And what to do in such a situation? Thank you.

Answer: Such edema may be associated, first of all, with disturbances in the functioning of the heart, which could appear after the appearance of excess body weight. It is necessary to undergo an examination and examination by a therapist and a cardiologist (you will need to take a general blood and urine test, a biochemical blood test, and do an ECG), after receiving the examination results, the attending physician will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis (may require further examination) or an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment .

Question:This morning I woke up with a swollen hand. A large swelling on the hand and a stretching red mark (like a burn from a nettle branch) - up to the elbow. And it all hurts a lot. And it’s somehow uncomfortable under the arm, although the lymph node does not seem to be inflamed. Why suddenly, where from - it’s not clear. What could it be and what should be done?

Answer: Appearing at the clinic to see the surgeon. This, according to the description, is clearly inflammation involving the lymphatic ducts and, most likely, regional lymph nodes. What preceded this the day before? Blow, bruise, scratch? Has your body temperature increased? This could be either cellulitis, an abscess, or inflammation of the joint (acute arthritis), which is unlikely based on such symptoms. Minimum - anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial therapy; maximum - surgical intervention.

Question:Hello. I am 37 years old. My question is this: three days ago I woke up with red, swollen palms and eyelids. I drank it - it didn't help. By evening it got worse: my hands and feet were swollen - I called an ambulance. They gave an injection and took me to the hospital. The injection didn't help either. They put an IV in, but that didn't help either. After spending the night in the hospital, by the middle of the next day I felt better - the swelling had subsided. And I asked to be discharged, since there were three children left at home... The doctor prescribed: cetrin and veroshpiron, and diagnosed: angioedema of the Quincke's type. But now, while taking all the medications and following all the nutritional recommendations, I began to experience pain in the muscles of the arms (below the elbows), palms, feet and knees. And periodically the face turns red (nasolabial triangle), red spots appear on the palms and soles. Tell me, what could it be? Is it all related or different? Maybe we need to call an ambulance again?

Answer: You need to visit an allergist. Continue the prescribed treatment.

If swelling of the hands is observed, this is a very alarming sign. It signals serious health problems. There must be good reasons for this sign to appear on the wrist.

The causes of hand tumors can be varied, most often this indicates that problems have arisen with such important organs as the liver, heart or kidneys.

What to do if a symptom occurs?

If the patient notices such signs, an increase in the size of the hands, he should be seriously concerned about this phenomenon.

It is better to pay a visit to the clinic or to your doctor to identify the cause and take appropriate measures. It is always much easier to cope with an illness if the symptoms are noticed in time. Therefore, it is better not to postpone the study.

Most often, wrist swelling appears in the morning. At night, metabolism slows down, and fluid does not have time to be eliminated in a timely manner.

As a result, it accumulates in tissues. This is usually the easiest time of day to notice swelling. They can also lead to serious problems, affect normal life activities.

Symptoms and signs of edema

If your hands are swollen and your joints and wrists hurt, this is noticeable to the naked eye. An increase in the size and volume of the fingers can usually be noticed purely visually. The swelling is especially noticeable when compared with the other hand.

The study must be carried out in the morning so that the comparison assessment is not complicated by various subjective reasons. In the morning the difference will be especially noticeable. You can compare the hand with the hand of another person; such a study will be more revealing.

Another additional test can be done on the wrist. After pressing on the place where the bone should be located, a dimple is formed. This test is practically necessary for obese people. A dimple with a tumor forms quickly, but disappears quite slowly.

However, swelling of the hand and wrist can be a completely natural phenomenon, especially in the morning if a person has drunk too much liquid. But such swelling goes away quickly during the day, no more than a couple of hours after sleep.

But even in this case, you should consult a doctor to rule out possible illnesses. It is better to detect the problem in time. If your joints and hands are swollen and painful, then this is a serious sign. Painful sensations cannot be ignored. Even if such an unpleasant symptom passes quickly, it may recur and become more intense, and in this case it will be more difficult to cure the disease.

So if the hand joint is swollen and painful, you need to urgently undergo an examination. If by evening the hand has not returned to its normal state, then this already indicates a failure of some organ to function normally. It is necessary to examine the joint and determine the cause of this phenomenon.

And if a joint tumor appears in the evening, at night, then this indicates problems with some organs. It is very easy to detect hand swelling if a person wears jewelry, such as rings. It can be very difficult to remove them if the hands or fingers increase in volume.

Possible causes and ailments

Not only a large amount of liquid drunk leads to ordinary edema, but also a large amount of alcohol consumed, excess spicy or fatty foods. This is no longer normal; usually the organs cope with possible problems. But still, such swelling does not indicate specific ailments. But if swelling becomes a constant symptom, then this already indicates some kind of malfunction in the body.

Expectant parents experience swelling of the hands, especially often immediately before childbirth. This occurs from a large accumulation of fluid in the body, and can also be caused by infection, which cannot be ignored.

Here are just some of the reasons and factors that lead to swelling of the limbs:

Arterial blood is transported to the upper limb through the axillary artery, which is a direct continuation of the subclavian artery. There are two subclavian arteries, right and left. The first arises from the brachiocephalic arterial trunk ( arises from the aorta), the second subclavian artery serves as a branch of the aorta. The axillary artery has many branches supplying blood to the armpit, scapula, neck, chest, etc. In the shoulder area ( at the level of the lower edge of the pectoralis major muscle) the axillary artery passes into the brachial artery, which directly delivers arterial blood to the tissues of the shoulder through smaller vessels ( deep brachial artery, deltoid artery, middle collateral artery, etc.).

The veins of the upper extremities are divided into superficial, which lie under the skin in its subcutaneous fatty tissue, and deep, located under the muscles ( or in between). Superficial veins are necessary to collect venous blood from the skin. Venous blood from bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments is collected by deep veins.

The venous system of the shoulder is represented by two superficial ( lateral and medial subcutaneous) and two deep brachial veins, formed in the cubital fossa through the connection of the ulnar and radial veins. In the armpit area, the brachial veins join together to form one axillary vein ( the lateral and medial saphenous veins of the arm flow into it), which flows into the subclavian vein. This vein carries all the venous blood from the upper limb and connects with the brachiocephalic vein, which drains it ( venous blood) further into the superior vena cava.

The lymphatic system of the shoulder region consists of two groups ( external and internal) superficial lymphatic vessels, having the same localization as the lateral and medial saphenous veins of the arm. These two groups connect in the upper shoulder area with the axillary lymph nodes.

In addition to the superficial lymphatic vessels, this zone also contains deep lymphatic vessels. In the lower part of the shoulder, the lymphatic system is represented by only one large lymphatic vessel, starting in the area of ​​the ulnar fossa. This vessel follows along with the brachial artery and ends in the middle part of the shoulder area, flowing into the lymph node of the shoulder. Two efferent lymphatic vessels emerge from this node, collecting lymph from the upper part of the shoulder. In the armpit area they drain into the axillary lymph nodes.

The tissues of the shoulder region are innervated by the medial ( ulnar nerve, medial cutaneous nerve of the shoulder, medial root of the median nerve), lateral ( musculocutaneous nerve, lateral root of the median nerve) and rear ( axillary and radial nerves) bundles of nerves branching from the brachial plexus.

Elbow area

The elbow area is located near the junction of the humerus with the bones of the forearm ( ulnar and radial), which is called the elbow joint. This area also contains many muscles and tendons of the shoulder and forearm. On top of them is the skin.

The elbow area is supplied with blood by branches of the brachialis ( inferior and superior collateral ulnar arteries, as well as the deep brachial artery), ulnar ( ulnar recurrent artery) and radial ( radial recurrent artery) arteries. The branches of these vessels in the elbow region are closely intertwined and form the arterial network of the elbow.

The outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the ulnar region occurs through two brachial veins, the ulnar and radial veins, as well as through the intermediate ulnar and lateral ( outer side) and medial ( inner side) saphenous veins.

The elbow area is drained by the ulnar lymphatic plexus, which includes the ulnar lymph nodes and vessels included ( part of the internal superficial lymphatic vessels and deep lymphatic vessels of the forearm) and outgoing ( deep lymphatic vessels of the shoulder) from these nodes. The rest of the internal group of superficial lymphatic vessels and the external group of superficial lymphatic vessels, which extend to the shoulder along with the lateral saphenous vein of the arm, also participate in the formation of the ulnar lymphatic plexus.

The ulnar zone is innervated by the ulnar, radial, median nerves, as well as the lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm.

Forearm area

The boundaries of the forearm area are the elbow joint at the top and the wrist joint at the bottom. The bone skeleton of this region is formed by two straight bones - the radius and ulna. Along the entire length of the forearm, these bones are located almost parallel to each other. The radius is located on the lateral ( external side) sides of the forearm. The ulna lies on opposite side, that is, on the medial ( inner side) side of the forearm.

The bones of the forearm are covered from above by the lateral ( extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, brachioradialis muscle), front ( pronator quadratus, flexor carpi radialis, pronator teres, etc.) and back ( supinator, extensor carpi ulnaris, extensor of the index finger, etc.) muscle groups of the forearm. The muscles of the forearm are covered on top with subcutaneous fat and skin.

The tissues of the forearm are supplied with blood by two main arterial vessels - the radial and ulnar arteries. These arteries are formed in the area of ​​the elbow joint by bifurcation of the brachial artery. They repeat the course of the dice of the same name ( radial and ulnar) and follow next to them along the entire length of the forearm, heading down to the wrist joint and hand. In the area of ​​the forearm, the ulnar recurrent and common interosseous arteries depart from the ulnar artery. The radial recurrent artery branches off from the radial artery.

From the more superficial tissues of the forearm ( skin, subcutaneous tissue) venous blood is collected by the lateral and medial saphenous veins, the intermediate vein of the elbow and the intermediate vein of the forearm ( not always present). From deep tissues, venous blood is delivered through the ulnar and radial veins, repeating the course of the same arterial vessels.

Lymphatic fluid is removed from the tissues of the forearm through deep lymphatic vessels that follow the radial and ulnar arteries and through superficial lymphatic vessels that follow the course of the lateral ( outer group of lymphatic vessels) and medial ( internal group of lymphatic vessels) saphenous veins of the arm.

The forearm area is innervated by the lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm, as well as the ulnar, radial and median nerves.

Wrist joint area

The wrist joint area includes the wrist joint and the tissues covering it ( ligaments, tendons and muscles). The wrist joint is the connection between the lower ends of the bones of the forearm and top row wrist bones.

The area of ​​the wrist joint is supplied with blood from the branches of the radial and ulnar arteries, as well as branches of the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries ( arise from the common interosseous artery, which is a branch of the ulnar artery). Venous blood from the tissues of the wrist joint area is collected by the branches of the medial and lateral saphenous veins of the arm. There are also two deep veins passing through here - the ulnar and radial.

Collection of lymph from the tissues of the wrist joint area is carried out through the internal ( follows along with the medial saphenous vein) and external ( follows the course of the lateral saphenous vein) groups of superficial lymphatic vessels. Besides them ( superficial lymphatic vessels) deep lymphatic vessels passing in this area along with the radial and ulnar arteries also participate in the collection of lymph.

The area of ​​the wrist joint, as well as the hand, is innervated by branches of the ulnar, radial and median nerves.

Hand area

The hand is the area of ​​the upper limb located below the wrist joint. The bones of the hand are the carpal bones, the metacarpal bones and the bones of the phalanges of the fingers. The carpal bones are arranged in two horizontal rows. Top row ( lunate, scaphoid, triquetrum, pisiform bones) is located closer to the wrist joint and participates in its formation.

Bottom row ( hamate, trapezoid, capitate, trapezium bone) of the wrist bones connects to the bases of the five metacarpal tubular bones, which, in turn, connect to the proximal phalanges of the fingers. These phalanges connect to the middle phalanges of the fingers, which ultimately join the distal ( lower) phalanges. It should be noted that the thumb does not have a middle phalanx, and only the proximal and distal phalanges are present.

The bones of the hand interact with each other through joints. The names of these joints depend on the bones that connect to each other. For example, the joints between the phalanges of the fingers are called interphalangeal joints. Also on the hand there are carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, intermetacarpal joints, etc.

The bones of the hand are covered on top by numerous muscles ( muscles of the palm and dorsum of the hand), connectives ( intercarpal, carpometacarpal, metacarpal ligaments, etc.), tendons and skin.

The hand area is supplied with blood by four arterial networks. Two of them lie on its dorsal surface, and the other two are on the palmar side of the hand. On each side of the hand, there is a superficial network of vessels located directly under the skin and a deeper network located near the joints and bones.

In the formation of the rear ( superficial and deep) arterial networks of the hand include the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries and the dorsal carpal branches of the ulnar and radial arteries. The superficial palmar network of the hand is formed mainly by the ulnar artery. The deep palmar network of the hand forms a connection between the radial artery ( she is the main one in this network) and the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery.

The fingers of the hand on the back side are supplied with blood by the dorsal digital arteries ( branches of the dorsal metacarpal arteries), and with the palmar – the own palmar digital arteries ( branches of the common digital palmar arteries).

The superficial veins of the hand originate in the area of ​​the fingertips. Here these veins form the palmar and dorsal venous digital networks ( via palmar and dorsal digital veins). The palmar venous network further flows into the palmar metacarpal veins, forming the palmar superficial and deep venous arches, which, in turn, give rise to the deep ulnar and radial veins.

The venous dorsal digital veins drain blood into the dorsal metacarpal veins. The first dorsal metacarpal vein drains into the lateral ( outer side) saphenous vein of the arm. The fourth dorsal metacarpal vein transports venous blood to the medial ( inner side) saphenous vein of the arm.

The lymphatic system in this area is represented by the palmar and dorsal superficial lymphatic networks, as well as the deep lymphatic plexus, located next to the arterial arch.

Causes of hand swelling

The main reason swelling of both arms is a disorder of vascular microcirculation in the venous ( superior vena cava syndrome, Pancoast cancer, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, cardiac pathology), lymphatic ( lymph stagnation) or arterial system ( allergies, Steinbrocker syndrome) tissues of the upper extremities. Other causes of swelling in the hands may be endocrine pathologies ( myxedema, Parhon's syndrome, premenstrual syndrome), gestosis, a decrease in the amount of protein in the blood in diseases of the liver, kidneys, and intestines.

Swelling in the hands may appear for the following reasons:

• cardiac pathology;
• Parhon's syndrome;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• Paget-Schroetter syndrome;
• Pancoast cancer;
• superior vena cava syndrome;
• gestosis;
• lymph stagnation;
• allergy;
• Steinbrocker syndrome;
• myxedema.

Cardiac pathology

The right side of the heart is responsible for pumping blood from the venous system to the vessels of the lungs, where gas exchange occurs ( between venous blood and pulmonary alveoli). If for some reason the functioning of these departments is disrupted, the heart will not be able to suck in all the venous blood from the peripheral vessels, so it will begin to stagnate in the veins of various organs and tissues ( including hands). When the heart does not function normally, it is called heart failure. It can be caused by a variety of cardiac pathologies that damage the myocardium ( muscular layer of the heart) or endocardium ( inner layer of the heart), or epicardium of the heart ( outer layer hearts). For example, it can be caused by myocarditis, myocardial infarction, poisoning, heart defects, amyloidosis, etc.

Edema in heart failure usually develops in the legs. However, as the pathological processes in the heart itself worsen ( those. increasing decompensation of cardiac activity) swelling can spread to the upper anatomical sections - torso, arms, neck, face.

Swelling due to heart failure immediately appears on both arms. The swelling itself is usually not pronounced and uniform. The swollen areas on the hands are cold to the touch and have a dense consistency. The skin has a bluish tint. The veins in the arms are dilated. Swelling in the arms due to cardiac pathology is most often associated with symptoms indicating insufficient cardiac function. They may be palpitations, pain in the heart area, shortness of breath, fatigue, cyanosis ( turning blue) skin.

In case of heart failure, the hands swell mainly in the evening. In the morning and afternoon, swelling is most often absent. The appearance of swelling in the arms in the evening is explained by the fact that as you perform physical activity during the day, the heart gets tired and begins to work poorly in the evening, which leads to venous insufficiency ( those. insufficient pumping of venous blood in the veins).

Decreased protein levels in the blood

Protein molecules circulating in the vascular bed play important role in the regulation of blood oncotic pressure. This pressure helps draw fluid from the tissues and retain it inside the blood vessels. The main proteins that contribute to this attraction are albumins. Albumins are synthesized in liver cells and then enter the bloodstream, where they perform their special functions. It is believed that albumins determine 75–80% of the entire oncotic pressure of the blood, since they have a very strong ability to bind water molecules.

A decrease in oncotic pressure leads to the fact that the vessels located in the tissues are unable to retain water in them, as a result of which it leaves the vascular bed and is retained in these tissues. This explains the mechanism of development of hypooncotic edema, that is, edema associated with low levels of protein in the blood. By nature, these edemas are mostly generalized and involve the arms, legs, face, and sometimes the torso. Upon visual examination, the skin over the swollen areas is pale pink. On palpation, the swelling is loose, mixed, and painless.

Low levels of oncotic pressure in the blood can occur in the following situations:

• liver diseases;
• deficiency of protein intake from food;
• diseases of the small intestine;
• kidney pathologies.

Liver diseases
Liver diseases ( inflammation, cirrhosis, cancer, liver cyst, etc.) are capable of destroying liver cells, which often leads to the loss of protein-synthesizing function in the liver and a decrease in the amount of albumin in the blood.

Deficiency of protein intake from food
A decrease in protein in the blood can also occur when there is a deficiency in protein intake from food. This can occur during fasting, kwashiorkor ( illness associated with premature weaning of a child) following any diet, fasting. Insufficient protein intake into the body causes a decrease in the synthesis of albumin in the liver, which, in turn, leads to a decrease in their release into the blood and, thereby, a decrease in its oncotic pressure.

Diseases of the small intestine
Many diseases of the small intestine ( enteritis, amyloidosis, Crohn's disease, tuberculosis, Whipple's disease, celiac disease, etc.) cause inflammation and sclerosis ( connective tissue overgrowth) its walls. Damage to the intestinal wall in many cases leads to decreased penetration nutrients from the intestinal cavity into the blood, since it is in this section of the digestive tract that the bulk of food received from outside is absorbed. Thus, diseases of the small intestine can provoke a deficiency in protein intake from food and indirectly disrupt the formation of albumin in the liver.

Kidney pathologies
Kidneys are organs that filter and remove harmful substances and toxins from the blood. With renal filtration, normally, serum proteins ( and, in particular, albumins) are practically unable to penetrate urine due to their large size and the small diameter of the pores of the renal filter. In some cases, the permeability of these pores for proteins increases, and they freely penetrate into the urine.

The appearance of proteins in the urine is called proteinuria. Proteinuria is most often observed in various kidney pathologies, for example, glomerulonephritis, amyloidosis, polycystic disease, pyelonephritis, kidney cancer, diabetic neuropathy, etc.

With significant damage to the pores of the renal filter and excessive proteinuria in the human body, an imbalance occurs between protein production in the liver and its loss through the kidneys. This imbalance becomes negative. That is, with it, the kidneys excrete significantly more protein than the liver synthesizes and transports into the blood during the same time. Thus, various kidney pathologies can lead to the development of proteinuria and indirectly cause a decrease in blood oncotic pressure.

Parhon's syndrome

Parhon's syndrome is a disease associated with the production and release of large amounts of the hormone vasopressin ( antidiuretic hormone) into the bloodstream. Vasopressin is a protein hormone that is synthesized in the hypothalamus and then transported to the pituitary gland of the brain, where it accumulates ( accumulation). It is from the pituitary gland that this hormone enters the blood. Vasopressin is delivered through the blood to the kidneys and then acts on the kidney cells, causing them to absorb large amounts of water and a minimal amount of sodium molecules along with it from primary urine.

The synthesis of this hormone by the pituitary gland is normally an adaptive mechanism of the body, which is aimed at equalizing the total blood volume in conditions of hypohydration of the body ( those. decrease in total body water volume) arising in different situations (with bleeding, decreased fluid intake into the body, etc.).

In some situations, excessive production of vasopressin may occur, which leads to the retention of excess amounts of fluid, first in the vascular bed, and then in the tissues of the body, which is externally manifested by swelling of the arms, legs, face and other parts of the body. Edema syndrome in Parhon syndrome is characterized by varying severity, uniform and symmetrical localization of edema. The skin, as a rule, with such edema is loose, painless, pale pink in color, and can shift upon palpation. Edema in this syndrome may be associated with headache, depression, weakness, convulsions, and dyspeptic disorders ( nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, etc.).

Premenstrual syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome is a complex of pathological reactions that occur in women shortly before the onset of menstruation. One of the manifestations of this syndrome is swelling, which can appear in various parts of the body. They are most often found in the area of ​​the fingers and toes. Swelling in the hands, in most cases, is mild, mild, painless, uneven and temporary. The skin located under the swollen areas has a normal pink color.

The mechanism for the development of edema in the hands during premenstrual syndrome is associated with a reduced release of progesterone into the blood during the premenstrual period. This hormone regulates the volume of fluid in the body and promotes elimination ( through the kidneys) water. Therefore, when the level of progesterone in the blood decreases, excess fluid is retained in the body, accumulating mainly in blood vessels and tissues, thereby causing the appearance of edema syndrome.

Swelling in the hands is not the only manifestation of premenstrual syndrome. They are often associated with mental disorders ( depression, aggressiveness, irritability, apathy, etc.), disruption of the cardiovascular system ( palpitations, increased blood pressure, pain in the heart area), gastrointestinal ( nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, flatulence, etc.) systems. Also, with premenstrual syndrome, increased sweating, itching, weakness, dizziness, numbness of the hands, hypersensitivity ( increased sensitivity) to different smells.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome

Paget-Schroetter syndrome is a condition in which swelling of one of the arms suddenly develops due to acute thrombosis of the subclavian vein. The subclavian vein is a venous trunk that removes venous blood from the upper limb and delivers it to the superior vena cava. As a result of thrombosis of this vessel, a disturbance in the outflow of venous blood occurs, as a result of which it accumulates in the veins of the affected limb. Insufficient venous drainage leads to the accumulation of interstitial fluid in the interstitial spaces ( due to impaired removal of this fluid through the veins) tissues of the affected hand, which leads to rapid development swelling.

Most often, Paget-Schroetter syndrome is observed in men who have developed muscles of the shoulder girdle and constantly perform heavy physical work or exercise. This is explained by the fact that part of the subclavian vein is located in the space between the collarbone and the first rib and is surrounded by a large number of bone, connective tissue and muscle formations that form a channel for it. The diameter of this channel is determined by the constitution ( physique) person and the degree of muscle development. For example, in hypersthenics ( type of physique in which the transverse dimensions of the body are larger than the longitudinal ones) and people with developed muscles of the shoulder girdle, it is narrower than in people with an asthenic physique ( body type in which the longitudinal dimensions of the body are larger than the transverse ones) and muscle atrophy ( poor muscle development).

The reason for the development of thrombosis and swelling of the arms in Paget-Schroetter syndrome is that as heavy physical activities are performed, the muscles surrounding the subclavian vein gradually compress and injure its intima ( inner shell). Traumatization of the intima is one of the triggers of the blood coagulation and thrombus formation system, therefore, thrombotic masses begin to be deposited in places where it is damaged. By combining with each other, they form a thrombus that blocks the entire lumen of the subclavian vein and, thus, blocks the normal outflow of venous blood from the veins of the upper limb.

Swelling in Paget-Schroetter syndrome most often appears on the arm that is most involved in work ( for right-handers - on the right hand, and for left-handers - on the left hand). It covers the entire upper limb ( fingers, hand, forearm), as well as sometimes the shoulder and subclavian region. The affected hand is cyanotic ( cyanotic) color, the veins on it are greatly expanded. The swelling itself is dense, painless, and permanent. It is more pronounced in the first day after the onset of the pathology. Patients also sometimes complain of dull and aching pain and fatigue in the swollen upper limb.

Pancoast cancer

Pancoast cancer is a malignant neoplasm ( tumor), appearing on the surface of the lung, under the pleura, in the area of ​​its apical segment. When large in size, this tumor is capable of squeezing and pinching the brachiocephalic or subclavian vein from the outside. In both cases, this is accompanied by a violation of their patency and a decrease in the outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the upper extremities, which inevitably leads to blocking the removal of intercellular fluid, its accumulation and the development of edema in the arms.

The swelling in this disease is one-sided, occurring only on that arm, the main vein ( subclavian, brachiocephalic) which is compressed, uniform ( that is, the entire arm swells from the fingers to the shoulder). Due to stagnation of venous blood, the skin becomes bluish ( cyanotic) shade, enlarged and dilated venous plexuses are visible in its thickness. On palpation it is painless and has a moderate consistency. Obturation ( blockage) of the brachiocephalic vein in Pancoast cancer leads not only to swelling of the upper limb, but also to swelling of the face and neck.

A Pancoast tumor can compress nerves, arteries, and nerve ganglia located near the above-mentioned venous vessels ( subclavian, brachiocephalic veins). Compression of the stellate ganglion leads to Horner's syndrome ( drooping of the upper eyelid, retraction of the eyeball, constriction of the pupil, decreased sweating) on the affected side. Compression of the nerve formations of the brachial plexus ( Pancoast syndrome) with Pancoast cancer is accompanied by constant pain and numbness in various areas ( shoulder, elbow, forearm, hand) of the affected arm, as well as atrophy of its muscles. In addition to edema, Horner's syndrome and Pancoast, fever may be observed with this disease ( increase in body temperature), feeling of weakness, weight loss, headaches.

Superior vena cava syndrome

Superior vena cava syndrome is a pathological condition that develops when the patency of the superior vena cava is impaired and is characterized by the appearance of edema on both arms, upper torso, neck, and face. This syndrome is not a separate disease, but only a complication of various diseases ( lung cancer, thoracic aortic aneurysm, fibrous mediastinitis, thymus tumor, lung cyst, etc.) of the chest, in which external compression of this vein occurs. In rare cases, occlusion ( blockage) of the superior vena cava can occur with its thrombosis, which develops against the background of periodic damage to its internal membrane ( for example, during her catheterization).

Swelling of the arms, neck, trunk and face is often associated with cyanosis ( blue in the face) skin, severe dilation of the saphenous veins, shortness of breath, cough, headaches, weakness, drowsiness. Hoarseness of voice, attacks of suffocation, chest pain, bleeding in the nose, oral cavity, and internal organs may also be observed ( esophagus, lungs).

The clinical picture of this syndrome is explained by the fact that a violation of the patency of the superior vena cava causes a blockage of the normal outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the upper extremities, shoulder girdle, neck, head and causes its stagnation, as well as the accumulation of interstitial fluid, which cannot be removed without adequate venous tissue drainage.

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia ( or late toxicosis of pregnancy) is a pathological condition in which pregnant women have increased blood pressure and edema various areas body ( mostly legs), and the kidneys remove large amounts of protein from the blood in the urine. In severe clinical cases with gestosis, swelling can be observed in the arms, face, and torso.

With this pathology, usually the fingers and hands swell, rarely affecting the upper areas of the upper limb - forearm, elbow, shoulder. Edema syndrome most often appears on both hands at the same time; its severity, prevalence, and symmetry are constantly individual. The skin over the swollen areas of the hands is painless and has a normal color. The swelling in the hands itself is loose, shiftable, and unstable. In addition to edema, arterial hypertension ( increased blood pressure) and proteinuria ( increased protein excretion in urine) with gestosis, weight gain, convulsions, severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, and pain in the heart area may occur.

Swelling in the arms during gestosis is hypooncotic edema ( those. swelling associated with decreased protein in the blood), because this pathology is accompanied by pronounced protein losses through the kidneys and insufficient protein synthesis in the liver tissue. Also plays a role in the development of edematous syndrome during gestosis. great importance increased release of various hormones into the blood ( aldosterone, adrenaline, renin, etc.), which contribute to increased blood pressure, increased permeability of vascular walls, and fluid retention in the body.

Lymph stagnation

The lymphatic system normally participates in removing part of the interstitial fluid from the tissues and organs of the body. There are cases when the patency of the lymphatic vessels is disrupted, the pressure in them increases and the intercellular fluid can no longer enter the lymphatic system ( since the hydrostatic pressure in the lymphatic vessels becomes greater than the pressure in the intercellular medium that surrounds these vessels). There is a retention of intercellular fluid and its accumulation in the tissues of the hands, which is externally manifested by the development of edema.

Swelling of the hands due to allergies is often asymmetrical and uneven in nature, accompanied by itching, redness of the skin, and the appearance of a red rash on it. Hands swell, mainly in the area of ​​the hands, fingers, forearms, and less often in the shoulder area. The appearance of edema syndrome always has a clear relationship with the body’s contact with any allergen, and, in most cases, it does not matter in what way the person interacted with it.

Allergic swelling of the hands can occur when consuming an allergen with food ( medicines, food ingredients, various drinks, etc.), when inhaling air containing allergen particles ( dust, chemicals, pollen, etc.). Allergies can also develop through direct contact of the allergen with the patient's hands. In such cases, so-called contact dermatitis ( local allergic inflammation of the skin), which is a type of allergic reaction.

The mechanism for the appearance of edema in the hands due to allergies is associated with the expansion of a large number of vessels feeding the skin and an increase in the permeability of their vascular wall, which leads to increased extravasation ( exit) intravascular fluid in the tissue of the upper extremities.

Steinbrocker syndrome

Steinbrocker syndrome is a complex of symptoms that appear when autonomic ( nervous) regulation of vascular tone in one of the upper limbs. This syndrome is most often a complication of osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae, in which compression of the nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord and innervating the vessels of the hand. It can also develop with injuries to the upper part of the spinal column, myocardial infarction.

The main symptoms of Steinbrocker syndrome are pronounced pain ( in the shoulder, forearm, hand, fingers), which do not decrease when taking painkillers, swelling of the hand ( less commonly the wrist joint and forearm), muscle contractures ( shoulder, forearm, hand), impaired sensitivity of the skin of various areas of the hand and the appearance of weakness in it. Swelling on the hand with this pathology is unexpressed, dense and uniform. The development of edema in the arm with Steinbrocker syndrome is explained by the lack of adequate vascular regulation and increased permeability of the vessels supplying blood to the tissues of the upper limb.

The skin of the affected hand is pale and shiny, sometimes acrocyanosis may be observed ( turning blue) hand and fingers. If the patient for a long time will not seek medical help, then muscular atrophy of various muscles, osteoporosis of bones, and partial ankylosis may gradually develop on the affected arm ( immobility) shoulder joint.

Myxedema

Myxedema is a severe form of hypothyroidism, in which swelling develops in the arms, legs, face and less commonly in other parts of the body. Hypothyroidism is a pathological condition associated with a lack of thyroid hormones in the body ( thyroxine and triiodothyronine). Hypothyroidism can occur with thyroid tumors, autoimmune thyroiditis ( inflammation of the thyroid gland), irradiation of the thyroid gland, iodine deficiency, etc. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in the body. If they are deficient, the level of protein in the patient’s blood quickly decreases, and in the tissues, on the contrary, it increases ( mainly due to the accumulation of proteins of the intercellular matrix of connective tissue - glycosaminoglycans). The increased protein content in tissues creates favorable conditions for fluid retention and the development of edema.

With this disease, the hands usually swell, less often the more proximal ones ( upper) parts of the upper limbs. Swelling of the hands with myxedema, in most cases, is symmetrical, uniform, and dense. The skin over the swollen areas does not hurt when pressed, it is pale, smooth, dry, cold, hair falls out on it, and cracks appear. Fingernails are atrophic ( thin and brittle), broken, their shape changed.

In addition to edema, myxedema causes the same symptoms as hypothyroidism. With it you can encounter mental disorders ( apathy, depression, drowsiness, etc.), sexual ( infertility, decreased libido), gastrointestinal ( nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, etc.) functions.

Quite often, such patients experience various cardiac disorders in the form of bradycardia ( decreased heart rate), decreased blood pressure, arrhythmia ( violation heart rate ), pain in the heart area. Also with myxedema, amenorrhea may occur ( absence of menstruation), general weakness, headaches, weight gain.

Causes of hand swelling that appears in the morning

The main factor in the appearance of swelling in the hands in the morning is the patient's prolonged stay in a supine position during the night, during which inadequate drainage occurs ( deliverance) tissues from interstitial fluid, which, in turn, is provided through venous and lymphatic vessels. An additional factor to this factor may be the patient’s increased consumption at night of table salt, which contains a huge amount of sodium ions. These ions, entering the tissues through the blood, attract and bind water molecules and, thus, contribute to its retention in the tissues and the development of swelling in the hands in the morning.

The amount of liquid that the patient drinks before going to bed is also of great importance. Excessive consumption of water at night is another aggravating factor in the development of swelling in the hands, since the kidneys cannot remove excess fluid from the body during sleep.

The next unfavorable factor in the development of swelling of the hands in the morning is the presence of any pathologies in the patient that cause disruption of the outflow of intercellular fluid from the tissues of the upper extremities. For example, they may be diseases that increase venous pressure in the veins of the arms ( heart failure, superior vena cava syndrome, Pancoast cancer, subclavian vein thrombosis, etc.).

Swelling of the hands that develops in the morning can sometimes be caused by excessive dilation of arterial vessels and an increase in their permeability, which often occurs during allergic reactions. Allergies are often observed in patients who use various cosmetics and lubricate their hands with them at night.

Causes of swelling of fingers

The causes of swelling in the fingers are quite varied. A significant portion of such edema is often associated with rheumatic diseases ( rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, dermatomyositis, scleroderma, etc.) fingers, which cause inflammation of their articular and periarticular tissues. Fingers may swell due to allergic reactions and, especially, contact dermatitis ( that is, local inflammation of the skin that develops through direct contact of hands with an allergen).

Mechanical injuries and burns of the fingers are another reason for the development of edema in the hands, since they cause inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous layers ( subcutaneous fat, muscles, ligaments, etc.). In some cases, an infection may penetrate the skin of the fingers, which can cause erysipelas ( bacterial skin inflammation), in which the affected areas of the skin often swell.

Fingers may swell with myxedema ( extreme degree of hypothyroidism - decreased thyroid function). Edema syndrome occurs due to the fact that a large amount of protein accumulates in the intercellular spaces, attracting water from the vessels. Premenstrual syndrome may be another reason for the development of swelling in the fingers, because it causes a hormonal imbalance in the blood of patients between the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which contributes to water retention in the body.

Causes of hand swelling during pregnancy

Pregnant women may experience swelling in their hands during certain periods of pregnancy. This event is not always associated with any pathology. In most cases, hands swell due to the fact that during pregnancy, various physiological changes take place in a woman’s body, which contribute to the increase and retention of large amounts of fluid in the body. Thus, during pregnancy, the female body experiences a decrease in blood osmolality ( blood's ability to retain fluid), the total volume of circulating blood increases ( BCC), heart rate increases, the amount of albumin in the blood decreases, etc. This is necessary for normal interaction between the body of the mother and the fetus.

Physiological changes occurring in the mother’s body are always individual. There are cases when such changes exceed the boundaries of physiological norms, resulting in edema. Swelling in the hands during pregnancy can often be a consequence of eating large quantities of table salt (promotes water retention in the body) and liquids.

Of course, edema syndrome in pregnant women can also appear as a result of the presence of some kind of internal organ disease. First of all, it is worth mentioning about gestosis ( a syndrome characterized by the appearance of seizures, increased blood pressure and loss of protein in the urine), which is one of the main pathological reasons causing swelling in the hands.

In addition to gestosis, swelling in the hands during pregnancy can be caused by kidney disease ( glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis, polycystic disease, etc.), liver ( hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver tumor), small intestine ( enteritis, Crohn's disease, intestinal lymphangiectasia, etc.), in which there is a decrease in the level of protein molecules in the blood, which is accompanied by a drop in its oncotic pressure and the development of edema.

Swelling in the hands during pregnancy can often be observed with heart disease ( myocarditis, amyloidosis, restrictive pericarditis, etc.), allergies, hypothyroidism ( decreased production of thyroid hormones), Parhon's syndrome ( pathology associated with increased production of vasopressin).

Treatment methods for hand swelling

The main method of treating swelling that appears on the hands is the use of various medicines. Quite often, drug treatment is combined with other conservative treatment methods - tight bandaging and physiotherapy. The high prevalence of the use of these three methods is determined, first of all, by their non-invasiveness, that is, the absence of mechanical damage to tissues during their use.

Unlike drug therapy ( or from physiotherapy, tight bandaging) surgical treatment involves some invasive procedures ( therapeutic measures associated with violation of the integrity of the surface integument), facilitating the correction of anatomical disorders and the removal of certain pathological processes ( e.g. tumors, cysts) from tissues and organs.

The following methods of treating hand swelling are available:

• drug treatment;
• physiotherapy;
• surgery;
• tight bandaging.

Drug treatment

When treating swelling of the hands, in most cases, drug treatment is prescribed. The choice of a group of certain medications depends on the cause of this disease.

Anti-inflammatory drugs
Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce the severity of pain and swelling that occurs due to inflammation after damage to various tissues in the body. They are used for diseases of the intestines, kidneys, liver, inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, premenstrual syndrome, erysipelas, traumatic injuries to the hands, allergies, Steinbrocker syndrome.

Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are drugs that doctors prescribe to make the blood less likely to clot and form blood clots. They are widely used to treat swelling of the hands, which occurs with cardiac pathology, blockage of the subclavian vein, and superior vena cava syndrome.

Fibrinolytics
Fibrinolytics are medications designed to destroy blood clots in blood vessels. Indications for their use are superior vena cava syndrome and Paget-Schroetter syndrome.

Diuretics
Diuretics help remove fluid from the body through the kidneys, so they are often used for gestosis, Parhon's syndrome, cardiac pathology, hypooncotic edema ( intestinal diseases, liver, kidneys), superior vena cava syndrome.

Antihypertensive drugs
Antihypertensive drugs are prescribed for gestosis, kidney and heart diseases to reduce blood pressure.

Vasopressin receptor blockers
Vasopressin receptor blockers prevent this hormone from binding to its receptors located on kidney cells. Through these receptors, vasopressin acts on the kidneys and causes them to accumulate water in the body. Therefore, these drugs ( Vasopressin receptor blockers) are quite often used in the treatment of swelling of the hands caused by Parhon's syndrome.

Hormones
Hormonal treatment is indicated for all those patients whose hand swelling is caused by myxedema or kidney damage due to diabetes mellitus.

Cardiac glycosides
Cardiac glycosides are used for heart failure of any origin ( origin). Their action is aimed at normalizing the contractile function of the heart.

Antihistamines
Antihistamines are a group of drugs aimed at blocking the interaction between histamine ( allergic active substance ) and its receptors in various tissues of the body, which leads to a decrease in the body’s allergic response to allergens. These drugs are mainly used to treat allergies.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a method of additional treatment for patients with swelling in the hands. They are used in combination with medical or surgical treatment. The use of physiotherapeutic treatment in medical practice helps to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected limb. The therapeutic effect of physiotherapy is also aimed at dilating blood vessels, accelerating and improving the outflow of lymphatic fluid.

When treating swelling of the hands, the following basic physical procedures can be used:

• electrophoresis of drugs;
• low frequency magnetic therapy;
• UHF therapy ( ultra high frequency therapy);
• SUV irradiation ( );
• low-intensity SMV therapy ( centimeter wave therapy).

Electrophoresis of drugs
Electrophoresis of drugs is a physiotherapy procedure in which drugs are introduced into the affected tissue under the influence of an electric field. This method has some advantages over other administration methods medical supplies (injections, pills). Firstly, drugs administered using electrophoresis have a better therapeutic effect. Secondly, their therapeutic effect is prolonged ( since some medications remain in the skin for some time). Thirdly, drug electrophoresis is a local procedure that is aimed at treating a local lesion. Fourthly, this physiotherapy procedure is absolutely painless and non-invasive ( that is, it does not violate the integrity of the surface covers) unlike, for example, injections.

The effect of electrophoresis on the body is determined by the drug administered with its help. The choice of the drug itself depends on the cause of the swelling of the hands. In general, for swelling in the hands, the use of proteolytics is indicated ( disruption of lymph flow), anti-inflammatory drugs ( filariasis, lymphostasis, erysipelas, trauma, surgical operations on hands), antibiotics ( erysipelas of the hands).

Low frequency magnetic therapy
This method uses low-frequency magnetic waves for treatment purposes, which are an integral part of electromagnetic field. This method is used to achieve decongestant, analgesic, trophic ( improves tissue metabolism), vasoactive ( stimulates blood circulation and lymphatic drainage) therapeutic effects. Low-frequency magnetic therapy is prescribed to patients who have problems with lymphatic drainage in their hands, as well as to those who have undergone surgery on their hands. It can also be used in the treatment of traumatic injuries of the upper extremities.

UHF therapy
For UHF therapy ( ultra high frequency therapy) waves of the electrical component of the ultra-high-frequency electromagnetic field are used. With this method of treatment, anti-inflammatory, vasodilating, trophic ( improved tissue nutrition), muscle relaxant ( relaxing muscles) effects. Ultrahigh-frequency therapy is indicated for patients with injuries, erysipelas of the hands and pathologies associated with impaired innervation of the vessels of the upper extremities ( Steinbrocker syndrome). It is also recommended for those who have recently undergone surgery on their hands.

SUV irradiation
SUV irradiation ( mid-wave ultraviolet irradiation) is based on the use of ultraviolet waves of medium length. This irradiation has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal ( destroying germs), immunoregulatory effect. It is prescribed mainly for the treatment of edema that develops due to erysipelas and hand injuries. It is sometimes used after surgery on the upper extremities.

Low-intensity SMV therapy
With low-intensity SMV therapy ( centimeter wave therapy) to treat swelling of the hands, electromagnetic waves with a centimeter frequency range are used. This type of therapy is mainly prescribed to stimulate normal thyroid function and reduce swelling, which is a clinical manifestation of myxedema. SMV therapy also has anti-inflammatory, vasodilatory and analgesic effects ( anesthetic) effect, so it is often used to treat cervical osteochondrosis, which is the cause of Steinbrocker syndrome.

Surgery

Surgery is not the main method of getting rid of swelling in the hands. They are used in severe and advanced cases, when conservative ( medication, physiotherapy) there is no point in using treatment. Surgical treatment of hand edema is mainly used to eliminate tumors and cysts of various locations, for example, the liver, kidneys, lungs, spine, and mediastinal organs. These volumetric formations are capable of compressing the vessels supplying the upper limbs ( tumor of the lungs, mediastinal organs), affect their nerve endings ( tumor of the spine, lungs), and also cause hypooncotic edema ( in case of kidney and liver cancer).

Surgical treatment may be necessary in the following clinical situations:

• cardiac pathology;
• decrease in the amount of protein in the blood;
• Paget-Schroetter syndrome;
• Pancoast cancer;
• superior vena cava syndrome.

Cardiac pathology
In case of cardiac pathology ( heart defects, myocardial infarction, endocarditis, etc.), causing heart failure and blood stagnation in the veins of the upper extremities, some surgical methods are sometimes used ( installation of pacemakers, cardiac replacement, heart transplantation), which restore normal heart function.

Decreased protein levels in the blood
For some diseases of the liver, kidneys, and intestines, characterized by a decrease in protein in the blood, surgical intervention is often required to remove the pathological process from these organs ( tumors, cysts, abscesses, malformations, etc.) and correction of their physiological activity.

Paget-Schroetter syndrome
In the treatment of Paget-Schroetter syndrome, regional thrombolytic therapy is often resorted to, that is, injection into the subclavian vein through a tube ( catheter) thrombolytic drugs that can destroy a blood clot formed in the lumen of a vein.

Pancoast cancer
Surgical treatment for Pancoast cancer is the main one. It consists of removing the tumor itself, areas of the lung adjacent to it, as well as extracting other tissues involved in the oncological process ( pleura, vessels, lymph nodes, etc.).

Superior vena cava syndrome
The main purpose of surgical treatment for superior vena cava syndrome is to eliminate the cause of blockage of the outflow of venous blood through this vein. For this purpose, direct removal of a blood clot from a vein is often used - thrombectomy or bypass shunting of this venous trunk, that is, the creation of an additional path along which venous blood will bypass the blocked section of the vein. If the cause of this syndrome is external compression by pathological formations ( cyst, lung tumor, etc.), then they usually resort to eliminating them.

Tight bandaging

Tight bandaging is a type of compression treatment for hand swelling. The general meaning of bandaging swollen hands ( using an elastic bandage) is that after this manipulation the surface integuments ( along with vessels) upper limbs become compressed from the outside. Because most of intercellular fluid accumulates in these places ( surface covers), then after tight bandaging it simply will not be able to overcome such strong resistance that the elastic material creates on the outside. Therefore, the intercellular fluid enters the vascular bed of the lymphatic and venous systems and is removed from the edematous areas.

Tight bandaging of hands is most often used for pathologies associated with impaired lymphatic drainage. They may be anomalies in the development of the lymphatic system, damage to the lymphatic vessels after surgery, or hand injuries. Blockage of lymphatic drainage can also occur after a mastectomy ( breast removal).

In some cases, tight bandaging can be used for venous insufficiency ( cardiac edema, blockage of the subclavian, axillary vein, etc.) or edema caused by a decrease in protein in the blood ( for pathologies of the kidneys, liver, intestines, etc.). In addition to bandaging for swollen hands, you can also use another type of compression treatment called compression garments (elastic sleeves, gloves).

Why does my right hand swell?

Limited swelling of the entire right arm usually occurs with pathologies of the venous ( compression of the subclavian vein by a tumor, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, etc.) or lymphatic ( lymph stagnation after breast removal, surgery on the arm, etc.) systems. When they occur, there is a disturbance in the outflow of venous blood or lymph ( and with them interstitial fluid) from the tissues of the upper limb towards the chest.

Swelling of the right hand in these pathologies is usually severe and permanent ( those. does not subside in the morning or evening), accompanied by blue discoloration ( when veins are blocked) or whitening ( for lymphatic insufficiency) skin. Swelling due to pathology of the venous system is often associated with pain, weakness and increased venous pattern in the area of ​​the affected arm ( that is, an increase and expansion of the saphenous veins).

Local swelling of the right arm ( for example, hands, forearms, elbows, etc.) can most often be observed with her injuries ( fractures, dislocations, burns, bruises), erysipelas ( infectious skin disease), osteomyelitis ( bone inflammation), myositis ( muscle inflammation). Swelling of the hand in these pathologies is caused by a strong dilation of small vessels ( arising from inflammation) in damaged areas of the right upper limb. Also, local edema can be caused by a voluminous pathological formation, for example, a tumor or cyst of the arm tissue.

Why do pain and swelling appear in the hands?

Pain and swelling in the arms are signs of inflammation of the anatomical structures that make up both upper limbs. Inflammatory process is a reaction of the body that develops in response to damage to any of its structures. The skin, subcutaneous fat, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, etc. can become inflamed in the hands.

The combination of these two symptoms ( pain and swelling) can most often occur in diseases ( heart failure, Paget-Schroetter syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome), in which the normal transport of venous blood from the arms to the heart is blocked. When they occur, along with venous blood in the tissues of the arm, toxic products of cellular metabolism accumulate, which damage the nerve endings and tissues of the upper extremities, resulting in the development of inflammation, pain and swelling syndromes.

Pain and swelling in the arms can be a result of pinching of the arterial vessels of the arms, which can often be seen with Pancoast cancer ( apical lung cancer), injuries of the upper extremities, anomalies in the development of arteries. Disruption of the arterial blood supply to the hands usually leads to hypoxia ( oxygen starvation) of their tissues, they begin to die quickly. The processes of death are often accompanied by the development of inflammation.

Disruption of the nervous tone of the vessels that nourish the tissues of the upper extremities may be another factor leading to swelling and pain in the arms. The most famous pathology in which such a disorder occurs is Steinbrocker syndrome. With it, the nerves coming from the spinal cord and innervating the vessels of the upper extremities are compressed in the area of ​​the spinal column. As a result, the vessels do not receive enough ( or, conversely, receive in excess) nerve impulses. This leads to a loss of their tone, instant expansion ( or narrowing), increasing their permeability, which, in general, has an adverse effect on the processes of tissue nutrition and clearance ( cleansing) from interstitial fluid, which provokes swelling and pain in the hands.

Why does swelling of the face and hands develop?

Swelling of the face and hands can occur for various reasons. First of all, swelling of these two anatomical areas can be caused by dysfunction of the heart, liver, kidneys, and intestines. Sometimes swelling of the hands and face develops with allergies, thyroid diseases, and pathological secretion of vasopressin. Often, the simultaneous occurrence of edema on the face and upper extremities is associated with hormonal imbalances that develop during pregnancy or in the premenstrual period.

The following are the main reasons for swelling of the face and hands:

• allergy;
• insufficiency of heart function;
• superior vena cava syndrome;
• hypersecretion of vasopressin;
• premenstrual syndrome;
• late toxicosis of pregnancy;
• hypothyroidism;
• liver failure;
• intestinal diseases;
• insufficiency of kidney function.

Allergy
The development of swelling on the face and hands due to allergies is associated with a strong expansion of the superficial vessels of their tissues.

Heart failure
Insufficient cardiac function can often lead to disruption of the outflow of venous blood from the tissues of the hands and face, which can cause swelling.

Superior vena cava syndrome
With superior vena cava syndrome, there is a blockage of the outflow of venous blood through the vena cava to the heart, as a result of which it ( deoxygenated blood) stagnates in the veins of the arms that flow into it. The accumulation of venous blood in the tissues of the face and arms, on the one hand, contributes to the expansion of venous vessels, and on the other hand, to disruption of the removal of interstitial fluid from the tissues of the upper half of the chest and the development of edema in them.

Hypersecretion of vasopressin
Vasopressin is a hormone that affects fluid balance in the body. It promotes the absorption of water in the kidney tissue from primary urine and its excretion ( water) into the blood. Increased secretion of this hormone can cause an increase in the total volume of fluid in the body and the occurrence of swelling in the face and hands.

Premenstrual syndrome
The cause of swelling on the face and hands during premenstrual syndrome is an increased level of progesterone in the blood. Progesterone is a hormone synthesized in the adrenal glands and ovaries. This hormone can increase water retention in the body and contribute to edema.

Late toxicosis of pregnant women
At late toxicosis pregnant women ( gestosis) the cause of swelling of the face and hands can be increased secretion of certain hormones ( aldosterone, renin, natriuretic hormone, adrenaline, etc.), which are responsible for the water-electrolyte balance in the body and the regulation of vascular tone.

Hypothyroidism
The development of edema in the hands and face during hypothyroidism is associated with a decrease in general metabolism in the body and the accumulation of large quantities of hydrophilic substances in the interstitial spaces ( water lovers) proteins ( glycosaminoglycans), which attract water from the vessels and contribute to its retention in the surrounding tissues.

Liver failure
The liver is a “factory” for the production of blood plasma proteins, which, to a greater extent, determine osmoticity ( those. fluid retention capacity) blood circulating in the vessels. Insufficiency of liver function can often cause a decrease in blood osmoticity, as a result of which its liquid part will penetrate into the tissues, which will be the main cause of the development of edema on the face and hands.

Bowel diseases
In intestinal diseases, there is insufficient absorption of proteins from the intestinal cavity into the blood. Insufficient protein in the blood can reduce its oncotic pressure ( the ability of blood plasma to retain water, mediated by the amount of protein). Due to the fact that in the tissues of the body this pressure becomes higher than in the vessels ( since in them it falls in the absence of protein), interstitial fluid cannot normally enter the vessels and be removed from the tissues. Therefore, with intestinal diseases, swelling of the hands and face develops.

Kidney failure
If kidney function is insufficient, swelling of the face and hands can often occur. This is due to the fact that with it the kidneys remove albumin from the blood in large quantities through urine ( blood proteins), which play a decisive role in maintaining blood oncotic pressure and protecting tissues from edema.

In what cases do both hands swell significantly?

Severe swelling of both arms most often occurs with vascular pathologies, in which the normal circulation of venous blood and lymphatic fluid is disrupted. Severe allergic reactions can also cause the development of such edema. Kidney disease is rarely the cause of severe swelling of the hands, but in some cases it can be a major factor in its development.

Hands can become very swollen in the following pathological situations:

• increased venous pressure;
• increased lymphatic pressure;
• allergic reactions;
• kidney diseases.

Increased venous pressure
The venous system is designed to remove excess fluid and waste products from peripheral areas ( arms, legs, neck, head, etc.) to organs ( heart, kidneys, liver, etc.). In some cases ( with vein thrombosis, when they are compressed from the outside by a cyst or lung tumor) venous pressure may increase in this system. An increase in this pressure often leads to blocking the transport of interstitial fluid from the tissues to the veins, resulting in its stagnation and accumulation in the tissues, which causes severe swelling in the hands.

Allergic reactions
The development of severe swelling of the hands during allergic reactions is caused by the release of a significant amount of allergic mediators into the blood ( factors), which cause dilation of blood vessels in the skin of the upper extremities and increase the permeability of their walls.

Kidney diseases
Damage to the renal parenchyma ( fabrics), found in various kidney diseases ( glomerulonephritis, diabetes, pyelonephritis, amyloidosis, polycystic disease, etc.), may be accompanied by impaired blood filtration, resulting in the excretion of increased amount plasma proteins. These proteins constantly regulate blood oncotic pressure and maintain normal fluid transport between tissues and vessels. Proteinuria ( increased protein removal in urine) is the main reason that contributes to the appearance of severe swelling in the hands due to kidney disease.

17.03.2016

Edema is one of the common conditions of the body. Bags under the eyes in the morning or aching, swollen legs after a day of work are a common occurrence for many. However, swelling of the hand occurs much less frequently, so this condition can cause a lot of concern.

Symptoms

A common manifestation of such swelling is swollen fingers. This reason prevents you from putting on the usual ring, and visually it is immediately noticeable. Often the hands also swell, acquiring a very unpresentable appearance that catches the eye. This usually appears in the morning, and a very unpleasant surprise may await you. Even more unpleasant is that the hands do not simply swell, and this is a consequence of some kind of disease or other processes. So treatment in this case is inevitable.

However, you shouldn’t bread it right away either, since normal swelling can go away within hours. But if this continues constantly, then such symptoms cannot be ignored, and it is better to consult a doctor.

Swelling is a serious signal

Why is continued hand swelling a good reason to see a doctor immediately? The answer is simple - constant swelling, especially in the hand area, indicates the inability of some organ to properly perform its job. As in the case of other symptoms, we are dealing with an effect, and the cause must be looked for elsewhere. Next we'll look at why this happens.

Large fluid intake

Let's start with the most harmless thing - you drink a lot of water or other liquid. This usually results in slight swelling of the hands or fingers. Such a scenario is not dangerous if it all happens quickly and is not so pronounced. In this case, no specialized treatment is needed. If this is the reason why they swell, drink less water and everything must pass. If you really drink a lot of fluids and there is swelling in your hands or other parts of the body, then this may indicate a problem with your kidneys. Check out this script.

Pregnancy

Another not very dangerous reason. We did not use the definition “safe”, since swelling can be harmful to the child. Therefore, at such moments, you need to limit your intake of salty foods, which is what expectant mothers are so drawn to. The situation here is not limited to swelling of the fingers, spreading to the legs and face. Also, you don’t need to blame everything on pregnancy. This is not a disease, but it may be accompanied by illnesses, and then treatment will be required.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

One of the factors why hand swelling occurs is a problem with blood vessels. Blood clots in the vessels can be accompanied by stagnation of lymph, which causes the hands to increase in size. This, by the way, is also typical for other parts of the body. Get a full examination, finding out what is causing the swelling and listening to your doctor's advice about changing your diet and lifestyle. Treatment also involves the use of vitamins and antioxidants. But only with a doctor's prescription.

Another problem with blood vessels is a decrease in the thickness of their membranes, due to which they become unable to retain fluid. In this case, the hands swell due to a lack of protein - the building material of our blood vessels and other body tissues. Although there may be another reason, specialist advice is needed.

Inflammatory processes

Often swelling occurs due to inflammation. When it comes to fingers and hands in general, joint diseases may be a problem. Arthrosis and arthritis lead not only to deformation of bone and cartilage tissue, but also to significant swelling of soft tissues. Therefore, if the joint area is noticeably swollen and there is aching pain, then it is better not to delay visiting a doctor.

Fortunately, early treatment of such problems works well. At a later stage, complete recovery becomes almost impossible. Swelling can also occur when the nerves of the fingers are pinched. Many people have heard about carpal tunnel syndrome. Horrible pain and numbness in the fingers can be a reality for those who work a lot on the computer.

Diuretics and elimination of swelling

We remind you that all of the following can be done only after a visit to the doctor. First, the cause must be determined and treatment carried out to eliminate it. We will tell you about the immediate removal of puffiness. So, if your hands are swollen, then you need to start taking diuretics. Now there are many herbs with diuretic properties that are safe for the body and will help get rid of excess fluid in the body. The main thing is that this drug or herbal collection is modern.

Treatment with outdated medications can lead to the removal of useful elements from the body along with urine. Massage also helps. In this case, blood flows into the areas that are swollen, which helps remove fluid. The same goes for finger massage.