Swelling of the hand during exercise.. Is it worrying?

Swelling of the hand during exercise is common, but the cause of this condition is not completely clear, as this condition appears to occur as a result of the way the body and blood vessels respond to the increased need of the muscles for energy during exercise.

During exercise, blood flow to the heart and lungs increases, in addition to the muscles that work during exercise, and this leads to a decrease in the amount of blood flowing to the hands, making them cooler. The blood vessels in the hands may dilate in response, which in turn leads to swelling of the hands.

Muscles produce heat when exercising, and the body pushes blood to the blood vessels closest to the skin to get rid of heat. This causes the body to sweat, and may also lead to swelling of the hands.

In some cases, professional athletes suffer from hyponatremia, and this condition indicates that the level of salts (sodium) in the blood is lower than the normal rate, and swelling of the fingers and hands may be an indicator of hyponatremia.

Other signs, such as confusion and vomiting, may be more noticeable than the swelling. Hyponatremia is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.

Tips to reduce swelling

There is no sure way to prevent or reduce most cases of exercise-related swelling of the hands, but the following tips may alleviate the problem:

• Take off your rings and loosen your watch band before you start exercising.
• Move your arms in a circular motion forward and back at different times during the exercise.
• Extend your fingers and spread them apart, then clench your hands and raise them to be above heart level. Repeat this while exercising.
• Use a walking stick while walking to keep your hand muscles contracted.
• Wear gloves that fit exactly, but they should not be too tight.
• Drink fluids that contain a percentage of salts during exercise, such as sports drinks that contain electrolytes.

Benefits of exercise

Don’t forget that exercising can help improve your health and fitness without harming your joints, as exercise can work on:

• Strengthening the muscles around the joints.
• Maintaining bone strength.
• Giving you more energy to use throughout the day.
• Facilitating a good night’s sleep.
• Control body weight.
• Enhance your quality of life.
• Improve your balance.