Pain in the left or right forearm is very common. The term "forearm" is used to refer to the part of the arm between the elbow joint and the wrist. If your shoulders and forearms hurt and you do not know what to do, contact the CELT multidisciplinary clinic. We have experienced specialists who will quickly establish the cause of this phenomenon and select an effective treatment.
Causes of pain in the forearm
The causes of pain in the left or right forearm can be very different. They can be caused by injuries and damage to the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, joints, vessels and nerves of the forearm.
Pain associated with muscular lesions of the forearm
Pain in the muscle of the forearm with their lesions may be the result of:
- Inflammation - with a disease such as myositis, pain in the right / left forearm is local. It is more pronounced when squeezing the muscle or motor loads. Her "companions" are "local" redness of the skin, pain in the forearm due to climate change and muscle weakness.
- Crash syndrome or muscle compression syndrome - occurs due to prolonged pressure on the forearm and at first has practically no pain symptoms, but after internal hemorrhage into damaged muscles, a hematoma appears and unbearable pain occurs.
- Stretching - the consequences of sudden strong movements of the arms and, in particular, the hands during sports. They are accompanied by pain, including palpation, and muscle tension. Such clinical manifestations can be felt up to 2-3 weeks.
- Tears - characterized by sharp pain with a feeling of applying a strong direct blow to the forearm; the pain symptom increases as the spasms intensify and the hematoma grows.
- Prolonged, repetitive stress on the muscles of the forearm - can cause pain localized from the outside. It manifests itself more clearly during motor activity and covers the inside.
- Spasms / convulsions - are expressed in involuntary sharp repetitive contractions of one muscle or a group of them, which are accompanied by sharp unbearable pain.
Pain with damage to the joints and bones of the hands
Pain in the joint of the forearm can be caused by:
- Dislocations - one of the bones that form the joint is displaced; there is a sharp pain, accompanied by a decrease in mobility and deformation of the joint;
- Fractures - in addition to severe pain, they are accompanied by an unnatural position of the hand, abnormal mobility in places where it should not be, a crunch of bone fragments;
- Osteomyelitis - occurs as a result of an infection entering the body, leading to the development of purulent-necrotic processes in the bones and soft tissues. It is accompanied by pronounced pain, inability to move the affected limb, local reddening of the skin, and an increase in general body temperature;
- Arthritis - inflammatory processes, which are characterized by pain symptoms along with joint deformity, a crunch in it, and a decrease in mobility.
Pain due to injuries of ligaments and tendons:
- Inflammatory processes (tendinitis, tendinosis) - accompanied by pain symptoms that occur during active movements; the pain subsides when the hands are at rest. In addition, there is a crunch, local reddening of the skin and fever;
- Diffuse fasciitis - affects the membrane connecting the muscles of the forearm, and is characterized by a decrease in motor activity, "local" roughening of the skin and loss of elasticity; the strength of contractions in the hand and fingers of the affected hand decreases.
Pain due to damage to the nerves and blood vessels
Treatment of pain in the forearm may also be necessary due to damage to blood vessels and nerves in the following diseases:
- venous thrombosis
- post-thrombophlebitic syndrome;
- damage to nerve fibers;
- osteochondrosis of the spine and herniated discs;
- plexitis.
Our doctors
Diagnosis of pain in the forearm
According to the nature of the disease, they will perform diagnostic tests, which may include the following:
- collection of anamnesis;
- visual inspection with palpation of the painful area;
- radiography;
- ultrasound examination;
To refer to neoplasms emanating from muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, blood vessels and nerves, the term “soft tissue tumors” is widely used in the literature. The artificial association of neoplasms developing in the so-called soft tissues is permissible only in the clinical and anatomical sense.
Soft tissue tumors include:
1) all tumors developing from mesenchymal tissue, with the exception of bone tumors, internal organs of mesenchymal origin (gastric leiomyoma, uterine sarcoma, etc.), as well as tumors of hematopoietic and reticuloendothelial tissue.
2) tumors of peripheral nerves.
There is no gender predisposition to the incidence of soft tissue tumors. They occur at any age, but mostly in people over 25 years of age. About 2/3 of all soft tissue tumors are located on the extremities in the area of large muscle masses (thigh, pelvic and shoulder girdle).
The reasons for the development of soft tissue tumors are not well understood. It is only known that most sarcomas do not arise from previous benign tumors.
Classification of soft tissue tumors
1. Fibrous tissue: fibroma, desmoid (invasive fibroma), xanthoma, xanthofibroma (fibroxanthoma, histiocytoma), dermatofibrosarcoma protruding, fibrosarcoma, soft tissue alveolar sarcoma.
2. Mucus-forming tissue: myxoma.
3. Adipose tissue: lipoma, fetal lipoma (hibernoma), liposarcoma.
4. Muscle tissue: leiomyoma, rhabdomyoma, granular cell myoblastoma (myoblastomyoma), leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant granular cell myoblastoma (malignant myoblastomyoma).
5. Сосудистая ткань: капиллярная гемангиома (доброкачественная гемангиоэндотелиома), кавернозная гемангиома (кавернома), артериальная гемангиома (артериовенозная ангиома, рацемозная гемангиома), лимфангиома (кистозная гигрома), гломусная опухоль (гломангиома), гемангиоперицитома, геморрагическая саркома Капоши, злокачественная гемангиоэндотелиома (гемангиосаркома ), malignant hemangiopericytoma.
6. Joints, tendon sheaths and joint capsules: benign synovioma, giant cell tumor of the tendon sheaths and joints, synovial sarcoma (malignant synovioma).
Symptoms
Symptoms of soft tissue tumors are usually poor. The main local symptom is the definition of a tumor, often by the patient himself. As a rule, these tumors are painless, do not impair function and, therefore, disturb the patient a little. Neuralgia, ischemia, and other symptoms associated with the pressure of the tumor on a nerve or blood vessel are often the reason for going to the doctor.
As the tumor grows, along with local symptoms, general symptoms may appear: weight loss, fever, general malaise. In some sarcomas, pronounced episodic episodes of hypoglycemia may occur. Other endogenous disorders may be observed, including hyperthyroidism and pituitary dysfunction. The sarcomas giving these disturbances, usually happen the big sizes. Most often they are fibrosarcomas, but there may be other tumors.
Diagnostics
Due to the scarcity of the clinical picture, the diagnosis of soft tissue tumors is very difficult. It is especially difficult to differentiate a benign tumor from a malignant one.
To select the correct method of treatment in all cases, it is necessary to know the histological structure of the tumor. Morphological data, together with clinical data, determine the nature of treatment and, to a large extent, the prognosis of the disease. For small and superficial tumors, a biopsy is also a therapeutic measure: the lesion is excised widely within healthy tissues. In other cases, a closed or open biopsy is performed. Conventional X-ray examination of the tumor location, as a rule, does not help in the differential diagnosis. When localizing tumors on the extremities and in the retroperitoneal space, arterial angiography is of great importance, with the help of which a disorderly network of newly formed vessels, "blood depot" and "sacs" are usually revealed. Angiography also makes it possible to differentiate sarcomas, benign tumors and inflammatory processes and is of great importance in terms of choosing the method of surgical intervention (presence or absence of ingrowth into the main vessels).
Treatment
For the treatment of soft tissue tumors, surgical, radiation and medicinal methods and their combinations are used. The main method of treatment - benign soft tissue tumors and most malignant ones is surgical.
The surgical method of treatment is used in two types: wide excision of the tumor and amputation (exarticulation) of the limb.
Indications and contraindications for this or that method of treatment are quite difficult. A wide excision of sarcomas is indicated for tumors that are not very large in size, located relatively shallow and retained displacement in the absence of their germination in the main vessels, nerve trunks and bone.
Amputation of a limb is indicated in the following cases:
1) the tumor cannot be removed by wide excision;
2) wide excision of the tumor will save the limb, which cannot be used (impaired blood circulation and innervation);
3) the failure of multiple safe operations;
4) palliative amputations due to bleeding, unbearable pain, smell (decaying, bleeding tumors).
When performing a wide excision, the tumor should be removed without exposure, in a complete muscular-fascial case within the anatomical zone of attachment of the affected muscle. Relapses after wide excision of sarcomas are at least 30%. At the same time, the occurrence of a relapse doubles the patient's chances of dying from sarcoma.
Amputation of the limb should be performed above the level of the muscle group affected by the tumor.
Soft tissue sarcomas have a pronounced ability of selective hematogenous metastasis to the lungs.
Some forms of soft tissue sarcomas also metastasize via the lymphogenous route to regional lymph nodes; these are angiosarcomas, rhabdomyoblastomas, malignant synoviomas, and fibrosarcomas. In this regard, when these sarcomas are located in close proximity to regional lymph nodes, it is advisable to remove them as a single block along with the tumor.
Radiation treatment as an independent method usually does not lead to a cure for soft tissue sarcomas. Currently, radiation treatment is used in the following cases:
1) in the preoperative period to reduce the size of the tumor and transfer inoperable tumors to operable ones. In about 70% of cases of all soft tissue tumors, a pronounced therapeutic effect can be obtained;
2) postoperative radiation treatment in the absence of confidence in the radicalness of the surgical intervention;
3) radiation treatment for palliative purposes, when, due to some circumstances, an operation cannot be performed.
foot tumor It is a rather rare malignant disease. But that is why you should know the symptoms that indicate a neoplasm. as a sign of cancer.
There are many types of oncological formations that affect the foot. Some take the form of cysts or inflammatory lesions and are very poorly diagnosed. Often, a neoplasm reveals itself only after an injury or under the close analysis of specialists.
The most common types of foot tumors
Oncology of the skin of the foot
Quite aggressive formations, which are characterized by an asymptomatic course in the early stages.
The main types are:
- Squamous cell carcinoma:
The most common type of malignant lesion of the skin of the foot.
Signs: This form of cancer often takes the form of a small, scaly bump, sometimes inflamed. The swelling may crack, bleed, and also combine with other conditions such as plantar warts or a fungal infection, etc. Therefore, in most cases, the malignant process does not cause concern in humans, which gives the tumor the opportunity to aggressively develop.
- Malignant melanoma:
Skin cancer of the foot that occurs in pigmented skin cells. It can appear anywhere on the soles of the feet. In the early stages, melanoma of the foot is detected very rarely due to the lack of clear signs. This formation is prone to rapid spread and lack of response to treatment. Usually melanoma foot swelling diagnosed at the final stage, which is a high mortality rate. For this reason, it is important to recognize the disease as quickly as possible.
Signs: at the initial stage, it looks like a small brown-black tubercle with a pink or red tint.
- Basalioma:
This is one of the least aggressive types of foot tumor. It tends to occur on surfaces exposed to solar radiation. often localized in one area and rarely metastasizes.
Signs: Basal cell looks like benign ulcers or white bumpy areas.
Foot bone cancer
This disease mainly affects the calcaneal, metatarsal and phalangeal bones. Tumor of the foot appears in the form of a painful compaction, which is mistaken for a benign formation.
The main types of lesions:
- Osteosarcoma:
A fairly common foot cancer. It occurs in 71% of cases. Formed in immature bones. Therefore, it is more common in younger patients. In the early stages, it responds well to treatment.
Signs: difficulty of movement, lameness. Often perceived as growing pains. However, rest does not work. Over time, it causes bone fragility.
- Ewing's sarcoma:
foot tumor in young patients (up to 29 years), a highly aggressive formation with a poor prognosis.
Signs: swelling, soreness of the heel. On palpation, the presence of a mass is felt, sometimes the seal is visible from the outside. Oncoformation is poorly diagnosed even by surgeons due to its similarity with other formations (cortical erosion, lytic lesion, soft tissue compaction). This swelling on the foot its appearance also strongly resembles osteomyelitis.
- Chondrosarcoma of the foot:
This is a malignant lesion involving both cartilage and bone tissue, which mainly occurs after 40 years. Only 1-2% of chondrosarcomas form in this area. The average duration of symptoms is 15 months. After local excision of the foot tumor, metastases are often observed. Proper treatment is essential for prognosis.
Signs: dull pain, local swelling without inflammation. The tumor looks like a gradually increasing painful mass. It is important to distinguish from benign formations.
Sarcoma of the soft (supporting) tissues of the foot
An invasive formation that includes muscles, fat, nerve endings, blood vessels, tendons, etc. It rarely occurs on the soles of the feet. May be due to exposure to certain chemicals and related diseases such as neurofibromatosis.
Types of foot soft tissue tumors:
- Epithelioid sarcomas:
They are displayed as nodules prone to fusion.
- Fibrosarcomas:
Usually localized around scars, soft tissue injuries.
- Synovial sarcoma:
Affects young adults, very painful.
- Malignant fibrous histiocytoma:
It is common among the elderly and occurs in deep tissues, often without showing external symptoms. Therefore, for adequate treatment, it is important to distinguish from rhabdomyosarcoma and liposarcoma.
Foot tumor: how to recognize cancer?
In this area, it is very difficult to establish the presence of a malignant process, even for a specialist. The main thing to pay attention to is:
- Any kind of seal. If a subcutaneous mass is detected, it is necessary to undergo an x-ray examination.
- Progressive discomfort when walking or palpation that does not stop during rest.
- Asymmetry is present in all types of oncological formations.
- Tendency to form ulcers with uneven, torn edges.
- Uneven distribution of shades on the surface of the tumor.
- The diameter in the concern area is always quite wide.
For any symptoms, you need to undergo a visual examination and pass the necessary laboratory tests. If necessary, the doctor prescribes additional examination methods to identify the nature of the pathological focus.
In most cases, a thorough diagnostic study contributes to the timely detection of oncological diseases of the lower extremities, one of which is foot swelling as a sign of cancer.
There are different types of malignant tumors. One of these are sarcomas - a group of malignant tumors that form from immature connective tissue structures.
The cells that are the basis of the malignant process can be located in any part of the human body. One of the rare varieties of such tumors is soft tissue sarcoma.
Concept and varieties
Soft tissue sarcomas account for about 1% of the total number of tumors. Such malignant formations occur with the same frequency in patients of both sexes of the 20-50-year-old age group.
On average, soft tissue sarcomas are found in one in a million people. Soft tissue structures contain fatty tissue and tendons, layers of connective tissue and fascia, synovial and striated muscle tissues, etc. It is in these tissues that they are formed.
This photo shows what a soft tissue sarcoma looks like.
Soft tissue sarcomas are classified into many varieties:
- Alveolar;
- Extraskeletal;
- epithelioid;
- malignant origin;
- Leiomyosarcoma;
- Schwannoma of a malignant form;
- Malignant hemangiopericytoma;
- Mesenchymoma is malignant;
Classify soft tissue sarcomas and the degree of malignancy. Tumors with a low degree of malignancy are distinguished by a high differential index and insignificant blood supply, they have few oncocells and necrotic foci, but a lot of stroma.
High-grade sarcomas are poorly differentiated in nature with active cell division. The blood supply is actively developed, there are a lot of necrotic foci and oncocells, however, there are few stroma.
Soft tissue sarcoma is characterized by high mortality rates, prone to rapid metastasis with the formation of secondary foci in the liver, lungs and other tissues. In most cases, such tumors are formed on the lower extremities, less often on the head and arms, neck.
To the touch, such formations are jelly-like, soft or dense, are predominantly single in nature, although the formation of a multiple tumor is not excluded.
Risk factors and stages of development
Reliable causes of sarcoma have not yet been identified, although doctors have identified a list of factors that provoke such tumor processes:
- Genetic abnormalities and disorders such as Gardner or Werner syndromes, tuberous sclerosis, basal cell nevus syndrome, etc .;
- Viral etiology like herpes or HIV;
- Carcinogenic effects of chemicals;
- Immunodeficiency states of a congenital or acquired nature;
- Aggressive environmental impact (unfavorable ecology, radiation, hazardous production, etc.);
- Frequent trauma;
- Abuse of steroid anabolics and other medicines;
- Precancerous conditions like neurofibromatosis, deforming osteitis, etc.
Soft tissue cancer develops in several stages:
- In the first stage, the tumor has a low level of malignancy and does not metastasize;
- At the second stage of development, the tumor grows up to 5 cm;
- At the third stage, the tumor grows more than 5 cm, metastasis is observed in regional lymph node structures;
- At the 4th stage of development, the tumor is characterized by active metastasis to distant tissues.
Symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma implies a wide variety of tumors, but they also have common symptoms:
- Constant feeling of tiredness, weakness, excessive fatigue;
- Sharp and intense weight loss;
- With the development of the tumor process, cancer becomes visualized, and it can be noticed without the use of any diagnostic devices;
- Pain syndrome. A similar symptom is considered a rather rare symptom and occurs when the tumor process affects the nerve endings;
- The skin cover over the tumor often changes color and ulcerates.
Usually, all of the above symptoms manifest themselves in the later stages of the pathology, when there is no longer any chance for recovery and life in patients.
In about half of the cases, soft tissue cancer is localized on the legs, more often in the thighs. On the hands, a similar kind of sarcoma is found in a quarter of cases, and the remaining 25% are localized in the trunk, neck or head.
Externally, soft tissue sarcoma is a bumpy or smooth node, without a capsule, of various consistency. For example, dense - fibrosarcoma, soft - liposarcoma or angiosarcoma, and jelly-like -.
Signs of femoral localization
Femoral sarcoma can form from any type of tissue present in the area - from blood vessels, connective tissue elements, muscles and fascia, etc.
Cancer of the femoral tissues looks like a subcutaneous atypical seal with a different consistency from jelly-like to elastic. Pathology usually proceeds without obvious signs, but gradually abnormal tissues grow, put pressure on neighboring structures and lead to the appearance of symptoms such as swelling, frequent fractures, progressive disease manifestations or impaired motor functionality.
If the tumor grows to a significant size, then the cancer patient begins to experience general cancer symptoms such as malaise and weakness, exhaustion, fatigue, and low-grade fever.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of pathology begins with a medical examination, during which the oncologist will collect an anamnesis and note the presence of external cancer signs such as emaciation, pallor, etc.
If the tumor process has a high rate of malignancy, then cancer is usually accompanied by intoxication manifestations such as hyperthermia, lack of appetite, hyper sweating and weakness.
Then the patient is sent for additional studies:
- Laboratory diagnostics. It consists in a variety of cytogenetic analysis, and;
- X-ray examination;
- Ultrasound diagnostics, etc.
In about 80 out of 100 cases, soft tissue cancer metastasizes hematogenously to the liver and lung tissues. Therefore, in the process of diagnosis, it is in these organs that secondary foci of a malignant tumor process are most often detected.
Treatment in adults and children
Soft tissue sarcoma is considered a rather serious and dangerous diagnosis. Compared to traditional forms of cancer, sarcomas are considered the most aggressive and early.
The treatment option is selected by a consultation of doctors on an individual basis. The difficulty of therapy lies in the fact that even removal of the formation at the initial stage of development does not guarantee a 100% cure, because sarcomas are prone to recurrence, which often occurs several months after removal.
The only way to radically treat the tumor is surgery.
The removal of primary foci is based on the principle of sheathing, according to which the formation growing inside a kind of sheath or capsule of fascia and muscle tissue is removed along with the capsule.
It happens that a similar principle cannot be applied in certain situations, then the removal is carried out according to the principle of zoning, when zones of healthy tissues located around the tumor are removed. Such an approach is necessary to prevent relapse. If the tumor is extensively localized, then the patient's limb is amputated.
Sometimes, after surgical treatment or if the formation is inoperable, radiation is also prescribed.
It plays a preventive role, because it reduces the likelihood of re-development of the tumor. Irradiation is also carried out before surgery in order to facilitate the surgical procedure, as well as to reduce the likelihood of relapses.
In most clinical cases, soft tissue cancer detected at the stage of metastasis formation is characterized by negative prognosis, because the 5-year survival rate does not exceed 15% of patients.
Video on advances in drug therapy for soft tissue sarcomas:
Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular space. Especially often the lower limbs swell, this can happen even in a healthy person. But if the hands are swollen, this always indicates serious violations in the body. This most often happens in the morning. This is a sign that the organs and vessels cannot cope with the removal of fluid. If such swelling disappears in the evening, and nothing else worries, usually patients do not go to the doctor. But it is still recommended to undergo an examination to find out why the hands are swollen. After all, this may be the first sign of serious illness. By starting the treatment of edema in a timely manner, complications can be prevented.
Development mechanism
Slight swelling of the extremities in the heat or after a large amount of liquid drunk usually passes quickly and does not affect the state of the body. But if the hands are swollen in the morning, the swelling lasts a long time, this indicates a violation of the work of some organs. Usually such a process begins with the fingers, then spreads higher - to the shoulder. Both hands or one can swell. Fluid retention in the tissues of the upper extremities can occur due to a violation of venous outflow, an increase in the permeability of the vascular walls, due to an inflammatory process or infection.
Often such swelling occurs in the evening after increased stress, long walks in the heat, due to an allergic reaction or injury. This is due to a violation of the outflow of fluid from the extremities due to increased vascular permeability. But often hands also swell in the morning. If a lot of liquid was previously drunk, and the edema passes quickly, this is normal, since during rest, blood circulation and metabolic processes in the body slow down. But if such swelling lasts for a long time, you need to consult a doctor and find out what is causing this.
Reasons for the appearance
Sometimes you can immediately understand why the hands are swollen. For example, this happens in the morning after a plentiful feast or a large amount of water drunk. Some foods and medications can also cause fluid retention in the tissues of the upper extremities. Moreover, in this case, mainly the hands suffer.
Swelling of the fingers and wrist when blood circulation is disturbed due to wearing tight jewelry, uncomfortable posture during sleep, or when working at a computer for a long time. And limbs above the elbow can swell after increased physical exertion, for example, when playing sports or lifting weights, as well as during heavy physical labor.
Hand edema affects people of all ages, men and women. Even children can suffer from this problem. In them, edema mainly appears due to allergies, after injuries, or with a lack of protein in the body. In this case, the function of the liver and kidneys is disturbed, and the excretion of fluid from the tissues slows down due to a decrease in the osmotic pressure in the vessels.
Edema is common in women in late pregnancy
Quite often, edema occurs in women. This is due to fluctuations in the hormonal background, which affects the functioning of blood vessels and internal organs. This can happen in the first days of the menstrual cycle, with menopause. But most often the hands and feet swell during pregnancy. In this case, gestosis becomes the most serious condition of a woman. It occurs in the 3rd trimester and can threaten the life of the fetus. Therefore, even with minor swelling, you should consult a doctor.
But swelling can be indicative of a more serious problem. For example, about a violation of the cardiovascular system, kidneys or liver. You need to know what diseases cause swelling in order to prevent complications and start timely treatment.
The problem may arise in such cases:
- with fragility of blood vessels;
- changes in the composition of the blood;
- tumors;
- disorders in the work of the endocrine system;
- inflammatory diseases of the joints;
- purulent-infectious processes;
- stress, neuroses;
- insomnia, overwork;
- renal failure;
- infectious diseases of the kidneys;
- disorders in the liver;
- pathologies in the work of the heart;
- allergic reactions;
- injuries.
Often, edema occurs when there is a violation of the work of blood vessels.
Cardiovascular insufficiency
Especially often there are swelling in the hands, associated with disorders of the heart, in the elderly. Their heart muscle may work worse, so blood circulation slows down. The extremities are especially affected by this. Such edema begins from below, from the legs, gradually spreading upwards to the arms. In some pathologies, compression of the superior vena cava also occurs, which is accompanied by swelling of the hands, neck, and face.
Sometimes one arm swells, which may be a symptom of vascular thrombosis or other pathologies that lead to circulatory disorders. Some people also face such a problem when their hands swell when walking. This is also associated with a violation of blood circulation, because during such a movement, the hands most often remain at rest, which means that liquid can stagnate there.
Injuries
Often, swelling can be caused by a severe bruise, fracture, or even a simple cut. This swelling lasts from several days to months. It usually occurs where the injury occurred, but the area above or below the injured area may also swell. Soft tissues also swell with any damage to the skin, especially if it is accompanied by infection. Therefore, every, even the smallest scratch, is recommended to be treated with an antiseptic.
Swelling of the hands can occur with increased physical activity. In this case, constant trauma to the muscles or joints occurs, as a result of which inflammation develops. With swollen hands, masons, loaders, carpenters often go. And recently, such a problem began to occur in people who work at a computer for a long time.
With any injury, even with a bruise or scratch, edema can develop.
allergic reactions
Allergy to any drugs, products or household chemicals is often accompanied by swelling. But the hands swell mainly with a local allergic reaction. This can be when applying a cosmetic product, contact with powders or cleaning products, animal hair or feathers. Separately, the right or left hand swells after being bitten by bees, wasps, gadflies, or even midges.
Kidney disorders
In renal failure, fluid retention in the tissues most often occurs. But it's not just the hands that suffer. Swelling of the legs, face, especially eyelids. The outflow of fluid from the tissues slows down in case of any pathologies of the kidneys, but such a pathology is most often caused by infectious and inflammatory diseases.
Edema often develops with various diseases of the joints.
Joint diseases
The cause of swelling of the hands near the joints can be rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatism, arthrosis, synovitis, bursitis, gout. Such pathologies are accompanied by pain, restriction in movement, the temperature may rise. Especially often such diseases affect the fingers, but swelling may occur in the elbow or shoulder joint. Although most often the problem occurs due to an infectious-inflammatory process or due to traumatic injury.
Pathologies of the spine also often cause damage to the upper limbs. For example, with osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, a disease called Steinbroker's syndrome can develop. At the same time, the nerve fibers responsible for the work of the vessels of the hands are pinched in the spine, resulting in severe edema.
Improper nutrition
If the hands periodically swell from the elbow to the hand, the swelling passes quickly and no other symptoms are observed, this may be caused by errors in the diet. Especially often this happens in the morning, if a lot of liquid was drunk at night.
In addition, the following products lead to the appearance of edema:
- excess salt;
- canned food, marinades;
- carbonated drinks;
- alcohol;
- coffee, black tea;
- sweets.
Too much salt in food can cause edema
How to discover
Swelling of the hands is usually noticeable immediately, especially if the patient wears rings or bracelets. They begin to press, soon it will be impossible to remove them. And if during the development of the process there was nothing on hand, then the usual jewelry cannot be put on, as they become small.
If one hand swells, then it can be detected by comparing it with the other hand. In addition, it is recommended to conduct such a test: press your finger in the place on the arm where the bone should be. In this place, a hole is formed, which slowly disappears. But these are not all symptoms of edema. They can be seen even externally. The limb increases in volume, the skin becomes shiny, stretched, sometimes reddens. With severe edema, the ability to move in the joints is limited. Sometimes you can observe a high temperature.
Diagnostics
Even with periodic, quickly passing edema, it is recommended to consult a doctor. He will help not only to identify the causes of edema, but also prescribe the necessary treatment. For this, in addition to an external examination and a conversation with the patient, the doctor prescribes blood and urine tests. It is also important to conduct an allergy test in order to exclude the allergic nature of the pathology. Sometimes an ECG, MRI and other examinations are prescribed.
Everything is important for making a correct diagnosis: what the patient did before the problem occurred, how long the edema lasts, what concomitant diseases he has. Often, examination and consultation of narrow specialists is necessary: an endocrinologist, an allergist, a cardiologist or a traumatologist.
With edema, the limb greatly increases in volume, fingers and other joints bend with difficulty
Treatment
Most often, you can get rid of edema by curing the underlying disease that caused them. Therefore, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. It is not recommended to take any drugs on your own, even diuretics, which are often used to relieve swelling. Without addressing the cause of this condition, incorrectly selected medications can only aggravate the situation.
Usually, with edema, in addition to special drugs to normalize the functioning of the kidneys or the heart, agents that improve blood circulation and reduce vascular permeability can be prescribed. With swelling caused by an infection or inflammatory process, antibiotics are needed. The most difficult thing is to remove swelling in case of injury. It may persist for some time after healing. At the same time, cold compresses are effective to reduce swelling at the initial stage of treatment.
On your own at home, you can deal with edema only if they periodically appear due to errors in the diet, a large amount of fluid you drink, or due to increased physical exertion. You need to know how to relieve swelling in order to bring your hands back to normal. To do this, it is recommended to make contrast baths for hands or showers, baths with sea salt, compresses from burdock or cabbage leaves. Instead of diuretics, it is better to take rosehip decoctions, cranberry or lingonberry juice, green tea. With frequent swelling, you need to reconsider your diet, avoid excessively salty foods, alcohol and large amounts of liquid.
Swelling in the hands is a rather unpleasant and serious condition. Do not self-medicate if this happens periodically. Only a specialist after examination and determination of the cause of edema can prescribe the correct treatment.