Hand swelling during exercise: A concern?
What causes hand swelling during exercise? I walk several times a week, and my fingers get so puffy that I can't get my rings off.
Updated: 2023-02-11
Answer Section
Hand swelling during exercise is common. The cause isn't completely clear. It appears to result from the way your body and blood vessels react to the higher energy needs of your muscles during exercise.
During exercise, more blood flows to your heart and lungs and to the muscles you're working. Less blood may flow to your hands, making them cooler. The blood vessels in your hands may react by opening wider. This could lead to hand swelling.
As you exercise, your muscles make heat. Your body pushes blood to the vessels closest to your skin to let the heat out. This action causes sweating. It also may make your hands swell.
Sometimes, high-level athletes develop hyponatremia (hi-poe-nuh-TREE-me-uh). This is an unusually low level of salt, also called sodium, in the blood. Swollen fingers and hands may be a sign of hyponatremia. Other signs, such as confusion and throwing up, may stand out more than the swelling. Hyponatremia is a serious condition that needs medical treatment right away.
There's no proven way to prevent or reduce most exercise-related hand swelling. But these tips may help ease trouble:
- Take off your rings and loosen your watchband before exercise.
- Circle your arms forward and backward at times during exercise.
- Stretch your fingers wide, make fists and raise your hands higher than your heart several times during exercise.
- When walking, use a hiking pole to keep your hand muscles squeezing.
- Wear gloves that are snug but not too tight.
- Drink liquids that have some salt in them while exercising, such as a sports drink that has electrolytes.
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I'm familiar with the complexities of exercise-induced hand swelling and the physiological mechanisms behind it. Hand swelling during exercise often stems from the body's response to increased energy demands. Allow me to break down the concepts mentioned in the article for a clearer understanding:
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Blood Flow Redistribution: When you exercise, your body redirects blood flow to your active muscles, heart, and lungs, which can reduce blood flow to your extremities, like your hands. This redistribution might cause cooler hands and trigger blood vessels to dilate, leading to swelling.
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Heat Generation and Sweating: Muscles generate heat during exercise, prompting increased blood flow to the skin to dissipate this heat through sweating. This process of heat dissipation might contribute to hand swelling.
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Hyponatremia: In some cases, particularly among high-level athletes, excessive sweating can lead to low sodium levels in the blood, known as hyponatremia. Swollen fingers or hands could be a sign of this condition, which can present with symptoms like confusion and vomiting, warranting immediate medical attention.
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Preventive Measures: While there's no foolproof way to prevent exercise-induced hand swelling, certain measures can help alleviate discomfort:
- Removing tight accessories like rings and loosening watchbands before exercising.
- Performing arm circles and hand stretches during exercise to maintain blood circulation.
- Using hiking poles or gripping objects while walking to engage hand muscles.
- Wearing well-fitting gloves to support circulation without constriction.
- Consuming electrolyte-containing fluids, such as sports drinks, to maintain sodium levels.
Understanding these mechanisms can aid in managing hand swelling during exercise and adopting preventive measures to mitigate its effects.
