Why do hands swell overnight

The way you are sleeping may be causing swollen hands in the morning. Causes for Swollen Hands in the Morning 1. Arthritis Arthritis is a common cause of swollen hands in the morning and can come in many different forms such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Consuming a High-Sodium Diet If you are eating too much salt, it could be causing your body to retain water and, you guessed it, causing those swollen hands. Warm or cool the hands for no longer than 20 minutes , and allow the skin to return to the usual temperature before applying heat or cold again. Reduce salt by limiting the amount of fast food, canned foods, and packaged foods in the diet. These products all contain high levels of salt, or sodium. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and use herbs and spices rather than salt to add flavor.

Encourage fluid to circulate by keeping active. Try not to sit still for too long, and do some exercise regularly. Stretching the wrists and arms can help reduce swelling in the hands. Raising the hands or running them under cool water can reduce swelling quickly. While sitting, resting the hands on a table or the arms of the chair can help.

Drinking plenty of water can help maintain the right balance of chemicals and fluids in the body. It can also help with circulation and fluid retention. If the hands regularly swell, it may result from an underlying health condition such as kidney disease or arthritis.

Treatment for these conditions usually involves medication, which should also reduce the swelling. Swelling in the hands does not typically cause long-term health issues, but it can be uncomfortable. It may also indicate an underlying health concern. Some simple home remedies can often reduce the frequency of swelling in the hands. If these do not work, consult a healthcare provider, who can check for any underlying issues.

Dactylitis occurs when swelling affects the fingers or toes and causes a sausage-like appearance. Learn more here, including causes and treatments. There are several different types and causes of fluid retention, which is also known as edema. In this article, learn about why it happens and get….

Chronic kidney disease is a progressive loss of kidney function. Often the symptoms are not noticeable until the disease is at kidney failure, so it…. Edema, or water retention, occurs when fluid builds up in the tissues of the body. Learn about edema here. Causes of swollen hands. Questions may relate to diseases, illnesses, or conditions you may have or that may run in your family.

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Editorial standards. Who we serve Chevron Icon. Brokers and Consultants. Solutions Chevron Icon. Care Navigation. Sections Icon. Buoy Chat Icon. Symptom Checker. Verified By Experts Icon. Verified by experts 8 min read. No Ads. Understand what is causing your hands to swell and how to treat it. Chandra Manuelpillai, MD. Last updated January 25, Heart Icon. Speech Bubble Icon. Share Icon.

Facebook Icon. LinkedIn Icon. Pinterest Icon. Pocket Icon. Share Link Icon. Copied to clipboard. Next Steps. Table of Contents. Hand swelling questionnaire Use our free symptom checker to find out what's causing your swelling.

Pro Tip. Causes 1. Arthritis Symptoms Pain dull or burning , especially when using the hand or after using it Stiffness Swelling around the joint Arthritis is a leading cause of swollen hands and fingers. Osteoarthritis : Breakdown of protective cartilage from daily wear and tear. Rheumatoid arthritis : An autoimmune disorder that causes swelling of joints and tends to occur in the hands first.

It affects both hands at the same time. Psoriatic arthritis : Sausage-like swelling of one or more fingers associated with psoriasis chronic inflammatory skin condition. Gout : Usually pain, swelling, and redness of a single or a few joints due to the formation of crystals in the joint. Fluid retention has a number of causes: Diet eating too much salt or carbohydrates.

A number of medical conditions including thyroid, liver, or kidney disease. Pregnancy can cause women to retain water. If you are pregnant and suddenly develop swelling, call your doctor.

Swelling in the arms and hands is often caused by a build-up of fluid in these areas, called oedema. It may include lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or going on a low-salt diet.

Page last reviewed: 08 May Next review due: 08 May