swelling hands?

Question

When I go walking, my hands swell; what causes this? I don't ever remember it happening during the winter. Is the heat related or is something wrong with me.

It becomes very uncomfortable while I am walking, so much so, that I have to put my hands up in the air while walking (people probably think I am crazy or something).

It begins after about 5 minutes of walking.

Can anyone tell what the problem is?

Answer 1

That happens to me when I going running sometimes. It's what I call the "Mickey Mouse fingers" syndrome. It does occur more often to me during warm weather but can happen during cool weather as well. Here are some of the common causes:

Electrolyte imbalance: Electrolytes are the salts in your bloodstream, which must be kept in balance to prevent swelling in the tissues. Sweating without replacing the lost salt can upset this balance. Too much salt can swing you in the opposite direction and still cause swelling."If you are not taking in adequate electrolytes, the imbalance in salt levels between the blood stream, the cells, and the extracellular spaces essentially results in a trapping of the water in the tissues as the sodium is lost in sweat. The same thing can happen if you are taking in too much salt.

Centrifugal Force: If you are walking / running properly, the centrifugal force generated by swinging your arms will gradually lead to edema (swelling) in the hands.

Blood Pooling: Swollen fingers/hands are due to blood pooling in the extremities of the body. Blood pooling also occurs in the feet (that's why pregnant women's feet swell). However, in our legs we have large, efficient muscles that are pretty good at getting the blood pumped back up to the heart. In the hands and fingers, we have smaller muscles that are not as good at getting the blood pumped back up to the heart. So, what you get is numb, tingling, swollen fingers.

What you can do when it occurs:
-remove rings, watches, etc from hands when walking
-keep elbows bent at 85 degree angle
-do arm circles every now and then
-rest hands on top of your head
-keep hands slightly open and stretch them every so often

As long as your fingers go back to normal after your walks then you should have nothing to worry about.

Answer 2

Why your hands swell when walking


First – it is quite normal for your hands to swell when you walk – it does you no harm and your hands will soon go back to normal (usually in a couple of hours).

Causes

Swollen hands or fat fingers are caused because the blood being pumped around your body has a hard job pumping back from the far bits of your body such as your hands and feet.

Blood pooling also occurs in your feet but because we have stronger and more efficient muscles in our legs (from all that walking perhaps?) they are better able to pump the blood back to the heart.

Swollen hands can happen to anyone when they are walking.

Cures and Tips

Take off all your rings and wristwatch before going on a walk
Drink more water as you walk

Try holding something in your hands as you walk – a walking pole or drinking bottle this gets your fingers moving.
Try flexing your fingers as you walk
Or try squeezing your hands into fists as you walk – these actions help to push the blood back from the fingers
Check out your salt intake as too much or too little can cause swelling - drink sports drinks as they have the correct amount of salt needed.
If you find it is really a problem then take a rubber ball or piece of foam with you to grip as you walk and now and again do an arm circle whilst wriggling your fingers (be careful though as this action might upset your balance when walking)



Enjoy your walking!

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art25960.asp





Peace.

Answer 3

It's not really a problem - it's just that your hands are down towards the ground and gravity is pulling fluids from your arms into your hands. That's all. One other note, as a contributor, you might be eating too much sodium or salt, or even MSG - all of which causes us to retain water.

Answer 4

that surpassed off to me i walked for an fairly lengthy time period interior the nice and cozy temperature and had no water i change into swollen everywhere my palms feet i imagine it has something to along with your blood move in case you're dyhydrated or warm

Answer 5

i don't have any advice, but i just wanted to say that the exact same thing happens to me in the heat. it's an awful feeling.

Answer 6

Swelling is an increase in the size or a change in the shape of an area of the body. Swelling can be caused by collection of body fluid, tissue growth, or abnormal movement or position of tissue.

Most people will have swelling at some time. When it is hot and you have stood or sat in the same place for a long time, you might notice swelling in your feet and ankles. Staying in one position for any length of time increases the risk that the lower legs, feet, or hands will swell because body fluid will normally move down a limb from the effects of gravity. Swelling can also be caused by heat-related problems, such as heat edema from working or being active in a hot environment.

Body fluid can collect in different tissue spaces of the body (localized) or can affect the whole body (generalized). Causes of localized swelling include:

Injury to a specific body area. Bruising (contusion) from an injury is caused by tears in the small blood vessels under the skin. Bleeding can also affect the joint (hemarthrosis) or the area that cushions and lubricates the joint (traumatic bursitis). Swelling can affect just one area or may involve large sections of the body, such as swelling that occurs following a motor vehicle accident.
Infection, which can occur in a joint or under the skin. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms at the site of infected tissue.
Inflammation that occurs when tissue is irritated by overuse or repeated motion.
Swelling of the tendon (tendinitis) and swelling caused by a series of small tears around a tendon (tendinosis) can occur together or separately.
Swelling of the sac that cushions and lubricates the joint (bursitis) can be caused by prolonged or repeated pressure or by activities that require repeated twisting or rapid joint movement.
Other causes, such as swelling related to a saclike structure filled with clear fluid, blood, or pus (cyst) or a swollen organ, such as a salivary gland. For more information, see the topic Swollen Glands.
Causes of generalized swelling include:

Allergic reaction. Sudden swelling of the hands and face may be a severe allergic reaction and requires immediate medical evaluation.
Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma. These diseases can cause swelling when the body produces antibodies and other cells that attack and destroy tissues in the body.
Medications. Some medications change how body fluids circulate, causing swelling. Swelling may also occur as an allergic reaction to a medication.
Circulation problems, related to certain medical conditions, such as peripheral arterial disease, heart failure, diabetes, or kidney disease. Thrombophlebitis causes swelling of an extremity when a blood clot interrupts blood flow in a vein in the arm or leg.
Fluid that accumulates in the abdomen (ascites) because of other problems, such as malnutrition, obesity, or liver disease. For more information, see the topic Gas, Bloating, and Burping.
Some people may experience swelling as a reaction to a medical treatment, procedure, or surgery. Swelling from a medical treatment may be related to the procedure or to a substance, such as dye, used during the procedure. Swelling may occur at an intravenous (IV) site used during a procedure or at an IV site used for medications given at home. Some swelling at the site of surgery is normal, such as swelling of the arm after a mastectomy. Lymphedema is swelling that occurs when the lymph nodes have been removed (such as following surgery) or injured (such as following radiation treatments).

Swelling can also be caused by the fluctuation of hormones within the body. Some women may notice swelling from retaining fluid during their menstrual cycles. Some women experience mild swelling in their hands or feet during pregnancy. Swelling in the feet may be more noticeable in the third trimester of the pregnancy. Generalized swelling can be a sign of pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia). For more information, see the topic Pregnancy-Related Problems.

Swelling can occur when tissues move out of their normal position, such as hernias in the abdomen. For more information, see the topic Inguinal Hernia.

Most of the time swelling is mild and goes away on its own. You may not even know what caused the swelling. Home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve mild symptoms.

Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

Answer 7

My feet usually swell when I am warm or exercise.

Answer 8

its because u are not used to walking

Answer 9

Don't know what it is, but it is normal.

Answer 10

you better check your sugar level....diabeaties