Waking up or going to bed with swollen fingers may be a temporary issue, but it warrants careful attention if it’s accompanied by pain and other symptoms. Swollen fingers can indicate underlying conditions such as lymphedema, kidney disease, or arthritis, signaling potential serious health issues. If you frequently experience unexplained finger swelling, consider these ten possible reasons:
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder characterized by excessive accumulation of collagen, leading to stiffening and thickening of the skin. While some individuals may experience mild symptoms such as stiffness in the hands or swelling resembling sausages, organ damage can occur in severe cases. While scleroderma is challenging to cure, symptoms can be alleviated through treatment.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/Tenosynovitis
Even if your fingers appear normal, you may feel them swollen. Carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis occur when the nerve in the wrist’s carpal tunnel becomes compressed due to repetitive hand motions, leading to pain, numbness, or loss of sensation. These conditions are treatable and usually don’t cause permanent damage.
Kidney Disease
The kidneys play a crucial role in waste management in the body. If the kidneys fail to function properly, finger swelling can occur, often leading to swelling in the fingers, feet, and around the eyes. Individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure are at higher risk of developing kidney disease.
Lymphedema
Lymphedema occurs when the lymphatic fluid fails to drain properly, causing swelling in the arms and hands. While it can be congenital, it may also result from cancer treatment, particularly radiation therapy. When lymphedema becomes chronic, it progresses to tissue fibrosis, resulting in physical deformity and sensations of heaviness, stiffness, and pain, varying in intensity depending on the degree of swelling.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger is characterized by a snapping sound and pain when bending or straightening the finger, resembling pulling a trigger. Finger swelling often accompanies this condition. It typically occurs when the tendons surrounding the finger become inflamed, sometimes following carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, and is more common in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. While spontaneous recovery is possible, if left untreated, severe cases can lead to permanent finger stiffness and deformation.
Gout
Gout is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by recurrent severe inflammation in the joints of the arms and legs. It occurs when uric acid accumulates in or around the joints, leading to fever, redness of the skin, and inflammation in the affected joint. Additionally, it triggers intense pain and swelling. While it typically manifests in the big toe, symptoms can appear in any joint, including the fingers.
Medication
Swelling in the fingers may result from medication intake. Medications known to induce such swelling encompass over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, steroids, specific drugs prescribed for diabetes or hypertension, nerve pain medications like gabapentin and pregabalin, as well as hormone therapies utilizing estrogen or testosterone.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder marked by aberrant alterations in immune cells. These cells assail the synovial membrane, the delicate lining enveloping the joints, inducing persistent inflammation. The disease impacts the inner lining of the joints, giving rise to swelling, discomfort, and rigidity. Typically, symptoms manifest initially in the joints of the hands, exerting a prevalent influence on both hands. Additionally, fingers or toes may exhibit swelling akin to sausage-like protrusions.
Exercise
The heart, lungs, and muscles require oxygen to supply energy during exercise. As physical activity increases, more blood flows in these directions, diminishing blood flow to the hands. Vessels respond to this shift by dilating, leading to instances where fingers may swell due to the altered circulation.
Fluid Retention
If your fingers are swollen and your usual rings don’t fit properly, it could indicate fluid retention. Fluid retention occurs when fluid accumulates in body tissues or joints, leading to swelling. If the swelling is due to consuming salty foods, it may not be a cause for significant concern. However, if fingers and hands swell for reasons other than dietary factors, it could signal underlying health issues that require attention.
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