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SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL HANDS AND FINGERS: CAUSES AND REMEDIES

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INTRODUCTION

Finding yourself with swollen fingers is a fairly common event that can affect a person at various times in life.

The fingers appear enlarged with a typical “sausage” appearance, so as to make it difficult to perform simple actions such as removing rings, and can be

  • mourners,
  • rigid
  • or cold to the touch.

The possible causes are of various nature:

  • inflammatory,
  • environmental,
  • physiological,
  • hormonal,
  • allergic,

This condition can occur at any time of day, for example

  • in the morning when you wake up because during the night you slept weighing your whole body on your arms,
  • or in the evening for microcirculation dysfunctions.

The causes that most commonly explain the appearance of swelling in the hands are:

  • bad circulation,
  • overweight or obese,
  • arthritis or osteoarthritis ,
  • carpal tunnel syndrome,
  • infections,
  • allergic manifestation,
  • prolonged exposure to cold or intense heat,
  • hormonal changes typical of pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome,
  • drugs,
  • decompensated disease of the kidneys, pancreas, heart , lungs or thyroid gland.

With the arrival of the summer season, hot and muggy days can be the cause of a slight swelling of the hands which, however, shouldn’t cause concern, because it is a passing and harmless event.

Let’s explore the most frequent causes of swollen hands and the possible remedies to remove this unpleasant sensation.

CAUSES

A common cause of swollen hands is a microcirculation disorder , typical of people suffering from high cholesterol or arterial hypertension . The extremities of the body, hands but sometimes also feet , feel swollen and cold to the touch. This is due to an increase in the caliber of the blood vessels which must dilate to accommodate the blood flowing with greater strength and speed within them to overcome the resistance encountered along the way (high blood pressure, accumulations of fat). Even those suffering from Raynaud’s syndrome have a defect in the microcirculation of the hands, favored and/or triggered by cold and stressful conditions .

Hormonal changes related to particular life conditions, such as pregnancy or premenstrual syndrome , can cause an alteration of the lymphatic circulation of our body with stagnation of lymph and the formation of transient lymphedema in the extremities (arms, hands, legs, feet). Water retention , with consequent swollen hands (and/or feet) is also typical of overweight or frankly obese people .

Another cause of swollen hands can be an excessive release of histamine into the bloodstream as occurs in the course of an allergy , due to a defense reaction of the body against a body recognized as foreign (antigen) such as an insect bite ( bees, wasps) or a food. In case of allergy, depending on the severity of the allergic crisis, in addition to swollen hands, other symptoms may appear suddenly and suddenly, such as:

  • unpleasant sensation of heat,
  • erythema,
  • skin papules,
  • generalized itching ,
  • hypotension ( low blood pressure )
  • or extensive edema in other parts of the body such as
    • lip,
    • face,
    • epiglottis
  • with possible respiratory disorders (even severe ones ).

Hand skin infections can arise in the presence of small cuts or wounds on the fingers which become easy entry points for bacteria or fungi, leading to the development of one or more swollen, red, painful fingers.

In some people, especially in the elderly population, the fingers may become swollen, stiff and painful due to chronic inflammation of the cartilage and metacarpophalangeal joints, for example in the course of SLE ( systemic lupus erythematosus ), arthritis active rheumatoid or other forms of arthritis .

Carpal tunnel syndrome , due to compression of the median nerve of the wrist, manifests itself with disturbances affecting the first 3-4 fingers of the hand such as swelling, tingling , pain that is more pronounced at night and which can extend to the wrist, arm and shoulder .

Iatrogenic cause of hand swelling is the prolonged intake of drugs such as

  • antidepressants ,
  • antihypertensives,
  • oral hypoglycaemics,
  • hormone therapies,
  • cortisone,

SYMPTOMS

Swelling of the hands is a symptom characterized by transient or persistent edema of the fingers, which may be accompanied, depending on the triggering cause, by other symptoms/signs affecting the hands such as:

  • ache,
  • erythema,
  • skin discoloration (colour changes),
  • itch,
  • purulent secretions,
  • joint stiffness with impaired movement of the fingers,
  • cold fingers,
  • pins and needles,
  • numbness in the fingers,
  • trigger finger ,
  • joint deformations or tophi .

Systemic disturbances, even severe ones, can manifest themselves in the course of allergic crises in a sudden way such as a feeling of heat, generalized edema, widespread itching, respiratory disturbances and arterial hypotension up to the serious picture of heart failure which requires prompt medical intervention.

Tachycardia , restlessness, insomnia , unexplained weight loss , sweating or heat intolerance, menstrual cycle changes associated with swollen hands may be symptoms of thyroid dysfunction (hyperthyroidism).

If the swelling in the hands is persistent or if common and harmless causes of swollen hands have been excluded, such as sudden changes in ambient temperature or incorrect positions taken during night rest, it is advisable to contact your family doctor for a check and an etiological research.

DIAGNOSIS

The family doctor inspects and palpates the fingers affected by the swelling for signs such as

  • tenderness,
  • changes in temperature or skin sensitivity,
  • red or bluish skin of fingers
  • stiffness of movement of the fingers,

Once the most common and harmless causes of hand swelling have been excluded, which usually resolve in a short time without requiring specific treatment, the doctor can prescribe targeted diagnostic tests to look for other possible causes of swollen hands such as:

  • blood tests:
    • blood count,
    • blood sugar ,
    • liver and kidney function,
    • thyroid hormones ,
    • serum electrolytes,
    • uric acid,
    • ESR,
    • PCR extension
    • and other specific parameters (e.g. rheumatoid factor or autoantibodies),
  • allergy tests,
  • electromyography,
  • capillaroscopy,
  • color Doppler ultrasound ,
  • hand x-rays ,
  • scintigraphy ,
  • nuclear magnetic resonance .

REMEDIES

The treatment varies according to the cause of the swelling of the hand, so it is advisable to contact your doctor to be directed towards the most appropriate therapies and remedies.

In case of swollen hands following a small trauma , an ice pack can help to be applied immediately after the injury to reduce swelling and the formation of a bruise and the use of ointments with soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ice packs wrapped in a cloth several times a day for 10 minutes can give relief to the hands (and feet) in pregnant women, especially in the last months of pregnancy .

An ice pack and ammonia-based compresses can also be useful in case of swelling of the hands from insect bites . However, it is good to remember, in the event of an allergic reaction, that if other disturbances appear (pins and needles, heat, shortness of breath, anaphylactic shock, …) you must immediately call the Emergency Department to receive timely and adequate treatment with cortisone, antihistamines and adrenaline.

Diuretics, anti-inflammatories and lymphatic stasis-stimulating drugs are required in all cases of water retention due to poor circulation .

If you have slept in a wrong position and wake up with numb and slightly swollen fingers, a good remedy can be to perform simple exercises:

  • open and close the hand,
  • flex fingers,
  • raise your arms overhead for a few minutes
  • or perform small massages with circular movements in each finger starting from the tip and going towards the wrist.

In particular cases, on medical indication, it may be indicated

  • the use of a brace,
  • drugs ( NSAIDs , cortisone injections , diuretics, allopurinol, levodopa, …),
  • laser or ultrasound therapies,
  • minimally invasive surgery.

Following the indication of your pharmacist/doctor, some phytotherapeutic active ingredients with draining properties are considered useful in the form of:

  • tablets (bromelain),
  • infusions/herbal teas (for example ginger).

PREVENTION

Finally, some general recommendations are useful in preventing the risk of swollen hands in people with predisposing factors, such as

  • drink 2 liters of water a day to facilitate the disposal of waste products and facilitate renal activity,
  • eat in a healthy and varied way (pineapple, celery, fennel, onions are excellent draining foods),
  • reduce consumption of red meat, salt, canned foods, cured meats, caffeine, sodas and sugary drinks, alcohol ,
  • protect your hands with gloves during housework, gardening, …
  • reduce exposure to extreme temperatures (too cold or too hot),
  • relax arms and wrists during night rest, and have the habit of taking off the rings before going to bed,
  • check your blood pressure regularly .
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Health

4 Surprising Sources of Nutrients Your Body Needs

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If you follow the perfect diet, you can stop here. This article is best suited for those who occasionally consume foods that are generally believed to have adverse nutritional effects. That’s because even some junk foods contain certain nutrients, and you can find surprising sources of them in all foods.

This doesn’t mean that most of your diet should or can be filled with large amounts of unhealthy foods. You need to limit the foods mentioned below. To maintain good health and manage your weight , eat plenty of nutrient-dense whole foods and vegetables.

But you can also let it go for a while to improve your mood or let off steam once in a while. So, the following surprising sources of nutrition aren’t an excuse for an unhealthy diet, but rather a joyful source of comfort.

Dark chocolate may be an unexpected nutrient choice

Perhaps the most well-known example of this is foods that pack important nutrients under the guise of being delicious. But let’s be clear – this doesn’t cover all chocolate. Only dark chocolate varieties (with at least 50% cocoa – unsweetened cocoa powder, not hot chocolate) have these hidden nutrients.

White chocolate is basically sugar and fat — it doesn’t actually contain any cocoa. Milk chocolate is ubiquitous, creamy and delicious, but lacks solid cocoa, which rules out almost any nutrition.

Dark chocolate has more of the actual source of the ingredient, the cocoa pod, which makes it a bit bitter but more nutritious. That’s because it contains soluble fiber, beneficial fatty acids, minerals , and a little caffeine.

The phytonutrients in dark chocolate are also a surprisingly important part of its nutritional profile. Chocolate contains bioactive plant compounds that give you antioxidant support, and cocoa contains as much phytonutrients (flavonols, catechins, and polyphenols) as some berries.

That doesn’t mean you should replace blueberries with dark chocolate. While dark chocolate has a surprising amount of nutrients, it’s also surprisingly high in calories and fat. This nutrient-dense food is also correspondingly high in calories. So it’s okay to only consume dark chocolate in moderation, ie an occasional ounce (28 grams). You’ve now found a reason to indulge your taste buds once in a while.

What Nutrients Are Hiding in Dark Chocolate?

  • iron
  • copper
  • magnesium
  • zinc
  • phosphorus
  • manganese
  • Potassium
  • selenium
  • Flavonols
  • fiber

The Amazing Nutrients in Potatoes

These root vegetables have always been notorious, but why are salty fries so delicious ? If not for the unhealthy cooking process, the potato would definitely qualify as a surprising source of nutrition.

Potatoes are, after all, just plants—specifically, starchy roots that grow in soil. It belongs to the same family as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Therefore, the potato is also composed of similar vitamins and minerals as its traditional family relatives.

White or yellow varieties of potatoes contain vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6 and certain polyphenols — sweet potatoes, unlike potatoes, are often considered healthier. Since potatoes contain mostly carbohydrates , they also contain a small amount of fiber. Most of this is in the form of resistant starch and insoluble fiber.

Most of the good nutrients in potatoes aren’t hidden deep inside, they’re in the potato skin on the surface. So when you cook your potatoes, wash them thoroughly to remove surface dirt, but make sure you don’t peel them. You definitely don’t want to be throwing most of your nutrition in the trash.

There are plenty of nutrients in potatoes to make them worthy of serving your dinner table. They are also a recognized staple food around the world. But eating too much of these starchy vegetables can be detrimental to weight management. This is partly because the potato itself is a high-glycemic and calorie-dense food.

So, if potatoes are on the menu, be sure to pay attention to the preparation (don’t peel them) and the cooking method (baked or boiled — please don’t fry them, they cook in fat). To reduce the glycemic impact of potatoes, serve them as part of a complete meal (with protein, extra fiber, and fat) to help slow their digestion . When you eat, you know you’re eating food that’s good for your health.

What Nutrients Are Hiding in Potatoes?

  • insoluble fiber
  • resistant starch
  • Potassium
  • magnesium
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin B6
  • Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
  • choline
  • Antioxidant composition of multiple polyphenols, including catechins and lutein

When looking for a surprising source of nutrition , do your research on cheese!

Cheese is sticky, soft, creamy and fascinating, but it also contains a lot of saturated fat, calories and salt. But that doesn’t put cheese lovers off.

This heady dairy treat balances out some of these negative effects with a host of beneficial nutrients. It contains protein, many essential minerals (calcium, zinc and phosphorus), and vitamins A, B2 and B12 . Depending on the source of the milk, cheese may even contain conjugated linoleic acid, vitamin K2, good bacteria, omega-3 and other fatty acids.

And you can also choose from different kinds of cheese. If you’ve been to a supermarket lately, you know how many types of cheese there are. Each type of cheese also offers varying degrees of health benefits.

Time to shake up my cheese and learn about some of these common nutritional benefits:

  • Cheddar cheese: A popular accompaniment to a variety of dishes—it’s also delicious sliced ​​with crackers, per ounce (28 grams): 115 calories, seven grams of protein, and a recommended daily intake (RDI) of 20 % calcium and some vitamin K2.
  • Blue cheese: This rich cheese with a moldy texture has: 100 calories, six grams of protein, and one-third of the daily RDI for calcium per ounce.
  • Feta cheese: This crumbled salty cheese brings delicious texture, protein, and calcium to your salad without adding too many calories—80 calories per ounce, six grams of protein, and your daily value 10% of calcium required.
  • Mozzarella: This low-fat, low-salt cheese is also low in calories, at about 85 calories per ounce, but still packs plenty of protein (six grams) and calcium (daily recommendations in just one ounce 14% of intake).
  • Parmesan cheese: This cheese is great to sprinkle on food, and each ounce of Parmesan contains approximately: 110 calories, 10 grams of protein, 34 percent of the recommended daily value for calcium, and the recommended daily value for phosphorus 30% of the input amount.
  • Swiss cheese: Don’t be fooled by the holes in Swiss cheese, this popular cheese still packs a lot of protein (eight grams), little salt and very little carbs (less than a gram)—about 500 grams per ounce. Contains about 111 calories and a quarter of your daily recommended calcium intake.

You should eat the fat, calories and salt in cheese in moderation. If you need to avoid dairy for any reason, you should definitely avoid cheese. But don’t worry too much if cheese melts your willpower, it’s still an amazing source of nutrients you need.

What nutrients are hidden in cheese?

  • protein
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin B2
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin K
  • calcium
  • zinc
  • phosphorus
  • Fatty acids , such as palmitoleate, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and omega 3
  • Beneficial bacteria

Sometimes adding some surprises is also a good choice

Learning about surprising sources of nutrition is a great way to choose and explain your indulgence, and you can even impress your friends with these fun facts. But again, these foods shouldn’t make up most of your diet.

You’ll have fun finding hidden nutritional treasures amidst seemingly hopeless junk food and drinks. But remember, these important nutrients are found in more obvious sources, and you should focus on these primary sources in your meal planning.

Vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, lean protein, and whole grains may provide a different high than the foods listed above. But they’re the foundation of a healthy diet, and they allow you to occasionally choose some more interesting alternative foods — foods that also hide some surprising nutrients.

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Health

Savor the Science of Healthy Eating

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There is a lot of evidence that sticking to a whole food diet based on plant foods leads to the most important health outcomes: good health and a long life.

A healthy diet provides many of the nutrients your body needs for good health, including omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and antioxidants, as well as an array of vitamins and minerals that work together to deliver major health benefits. This is confirmed by many studies and thousands of people.

A study of 23,153 Germans aged 35-65 found that higher intakes of fruit, vegetables and whole-grain bread, and lower meat intake were associated with improved health. The results were even more pronounced for those who maintained a healthy body mass index (BMI), never smoked, and exercised three and a half hours or more per week.

A study conducted by the World Health Organization found that it’s never too late to start improving your diet. They suggest that those who stick to healthy eating patterns live two years longer at age 60.

Dozens of studies and clinical trials have shown that a Mediterranean diet helps maintain:

  • Healthy waist circumference and weight/BMI
  • normal cholesterol
  • healthy blood sugar
  • normal blood lipids/lipoproteins
  • healthy blood pressure and circulation
  • normal cognitive function

Lowering the Glycemic Index and Eating Healthy

Typically, healthy eating patterns consist of foods with a low glycemic index or load.

When it comes to the glycemic index, common sense should guide your decisions, with the goal of limiting nutrient-poor, processed foods that contain refined starches and sugars rather than whole foods. Many starchy vegetables, such as carrots and fruits, also have a high glycemic index.

But there is no evidence that these foods are harmful.

In fact, a 2018 review showed that eating more fruit has big benefits, thanks to their high fiber content and prebiotic effect (that is, they feed the good bacteria in the gut), which is good for the heart. There are benefits for vascular, digestive, metabolic, respiratory and bone health. In addition, eating fruit also improves mental health and skin health.

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Health

What is a healthy diet? How to Eat Healthy

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Chances are you or someone close to you has dieted in the previous year. Statistics show that in the past 12 months, 49.3% of people used diet to lose weight. You’ve probably dieted at least five times in your life (maybe more).

It makes sense. You live in a weight-conscious culture. And you know that weight is closely related to your health, so you try to lose weight. At the same time, you may be curious to ask: “What is a healthy diet?”

If you want to lose weight, you have many options such as paleo, ketogenic, low-fat, low-carb, vegetarian, fruit-based, 30-day whole foods, wheat-free, Jenny Craig, Dukan, Dubrow The diet, the Fit for Life diet, the all-meat diet, the Miami diet, the starch-free diet, etc., each has its pros and cons.

Here’s a sobering statistic: An estimated 95 percent of dieters who follow popular weight-loss diets regain the weight within one to five years. Plus, with all the dizzying amounts of advice, it can be hard to know who to trust, or what exactly you should be eating.

Even if restrictive fad weight loss diets do help you lose weight in a short period of time, is it okay to eat like this all the time? Kick your body off carbs from now on? Or stop eating fruit? Or just eat fruit? How about some cream and bacon?

This is really nerve-wracking! And, looking at the statistics, it’s hard to deny the fact that these fad weight loss diets simply don’t work. In the words of ’90s fitness icon Susan Powter, it’s time to “stop messing around.”

Say goodbye to “fad weight loss diets” forever

Think about it: If your body can’t lose an extra pound, does that mean you should give up trying to eat healthy? of course not.

Following this short-term fad weight loss diet is almost doomed to failure. The answer is this: You must spend the rest of your life turning your attention to eating to be healthy, not to dieting like crazy in a short amount of time just to achieve an ideal weight.

Health comes in all shapes and sizes. No matter your weight, you deserve to feel your best every day . Giving your body the nutrients it needs to grow, scientifically proven, will have many benefits. You’ll look radiant , your body will feel great and you’ll have more energy. And, you’ll be mentally and emotionally ready to face your goals and challenges each day.

There are also long-term benefits. Healthy eating habits are linked to maintaining the health of every part of your body, including your heart, brain , bones and joints, and metabolic function, the list goes on.

The key to success is changing your behavior patterns for life. Find a way of eating that goes with the flow and lasts a lifetime. Building a more positive relationship with healthy foods will help you live a long-term healthy life and enjoy the things you love with the people you love.

Below you’ll find an overview of healthy eating, including the ones that science says are best for your health. You’ll also be given guidelines and goals to help you work your way up to permanently changing the way you eat every day.

What is a healthy diet?

Most people get it wrong. The food they eat will lose weight , but not enough to help them live long and healthy lives.

A 2019 study found that consumption of nearly all healthy foods is below optimal levels. The healthy foods you don’t eat are at least as important as the unhealthy foods you may be eating regularly, researchers report. They note that “suboptimal diets kill more people than other risks in the world, including smoking.”

When it comes to negative health effects, not enough whole grains and fruits are to blame. Not eating enough nuts and seeds, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber and polyunsaturated fats can also have a negative impact on quality of life. Consuming too much salt is also a serious problem with long-term health implications.

This research reveals what foods you need to add to a healthy diet, not just what to subtract. Author Michael Pollan sums it up succinctly in his book In Defense of Food, when he observes that we should “eat food, but not too much, mostly plant-based.”

A healthy eating pattern is often a variation of the Mediterranean diet (which mimics the traditional eating patterns of countries around the Mediterranean Sea). These diets emphasize whole, minimally processed foods such as: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds, and good fats (especially fat from extra virgin olive oil).

This type of diet can be adjusted to fit most dietary, cultural or ethical preferences. It can be healthy with or without animal foods; though it often requires careful planning to ensure a complete and balanced vegetarian and vegan diet. Many people find that adding some meat to their diet helps them better manage hunger , but this is a personal choice. You can also choose from organic produce and products from grass-fed or pasture-raised animals.

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