Have you been noticing unexplained swelling in your hands, which is not accompanied by any pain or illness? Chances are that you could just be consuming excessive salt in your diet.
“The hands are particularly susceptible to swelling from excessive salt intake because they contain many small joints and tissues,” said Dr Puneet Bhuwania, Consultant Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road, while explaining to the team of OnlyMyHealth how this happens.
Excess Salt Causes Swollen Hands
According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, this condition of swollen hands is called oedema, and it can be caused by numerous reasons. “Edema refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces, leading to swelling in various parts of the body,” said Dr Bhuwania.
Explaining how exactly salt causes oedema, he added, “Excessive salt intake can contribute to the development of oedema through the mechanism of osmosis.” He shared:
- When salt concentration in the body is higher than that of the surrounding tissues, it causes an imbalance in fluid distribution.
- Salt, or sodium chloride, attracts water molecules. When there is an excess of salt in the body, it draws water into the interstitial spaces between cells.
- This increased fluid volume results in swelling, particularly in areas where oedema commonly occurs, such as the hands, ankles, and feet.
- The accumulation of fluid can put pressure on surrounding tissues, causing discomfort and a visible increase in size.
- The swelling may be more noticeable in the extremities due to gravity, which pulls fluid downward, and the hands are a common site for the accumulation of excess fluids.
Oedema: A Sign Of An Underlying Disease
However, it is not necessary that salt alone may be causing your hands to swell. Stating that “Swollen hands can be a symptom of various medical conditions,” Dr Bhuwania listed:
- Arthritis: Inflammatory arthritis conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause swelling and stiffness in the hands.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Compression of the median nerve in the wrist can lead to swelling and discomfort in the hands.
- Lymphedema: A condition where the lymphatic system fails to drain adequately, resulting in the accumulation of fluid and swelling.
- Kidney Disease: Impaired kidney function can lead to fluid retention and swelling, including in the hands.
- Heart Failure: In cases of heart failure, the heart's inability to pump blood effectively can cause fluid buildup, leading to oedema in the hands and other areas.
Dr Bhuwani concluded that monitoring and moderating salt intake, along with maintaining a balanced diet, are essential for overall health and can help prevent not just oedema, but a host of other medical complications. While salt intake as the answer to your swollen hands may bring you relief, persistent oedema should be looked at by a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying diseases.