Зміст
Swollen fingers are a very common condition that can occur for many reasons. Fingers are usually swollen on hot days and after drinking a lot of salt or alcohol. The symptom is also common in women before menstruation or in the third trimester of pregnancy, which is caused by hormonal fluctuations. In such situations, swelling of the fingers is nothing to worry about and usually goes away quickly.
However, when the discomfort continues for a long time, is accompanied by pain and other symptoms (such as swollen joints), and dietary changes do not help, it is worth seeing a doctor. Swollen fingers can be a sign of serious illness.
Symptoms of swollen fingers: Hypothyroidism
If your fingers are swollen for a long time, it may be an underactive thyroid. Violations of this organ and an insufficient amount of thyroxine secreted by it slow down the metabolism and cause water retention in the body. Initially, it collects in the fingers, which become stiff and difficult to bend. Other symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, swelling of the face and eyelids, drowsiness, fatigue, or hair loss. If your fingers are swollen, you should see your doctor, who will check your thyroid hormone levels.
Symptoms of swollen fingers: Osteoarthritis
If the joints are also swollen when the fingers are swollen, this may indicate degeneration. The disease may be genetically based, but the risk is also increased in overweight people who are not physically active and do not suffer from joint injuries. The fingers can then swell due to wear and tear on the protective cartilage around the bones, which begin to rub against each other. Growths or outgrowths form around the joints, and a weakening of ligaments and muscles is also observed. The developing osteoarthritis causes swelling, pain, and decreased joint mobility.
Symptoms of swollen fingers: Rheumatoid arthritis
Finger swelling can also accompany autoimmune diseases. This is often a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. The disease causes inflammation of the membranes that cover the joints, and damage to them causes bone erosion. This leads to joint deformation, swelling and pain. People in their 40s and 60s are most likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, and they are mostly women. The disease also takes another form, juvenile arthritis, which mainly affects children under the age of 16.
Symptoms of swollen fingers:Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematous is an autoimmune disease that most commonly affects women of reproductive age. The disease causes inflammation of the connective tissue around the joints, causing pain and swelling. Lupus also affects the heart, kidneys, lungs, and nervous system. The illness can start suddenly and fall asleep just as quickly. Special treatment is required to avoid joint deformation or organ damage. Lupus also manifests itself in the form of tiredness, headaches, and redness on the cheeks.
