Sudden swelling and pain in one finger

Nowadays, people's awareness of health preservation is getting stronger and stronger, especially in parks and gyms, where you can often see middle-aged and elderly people exercising. When any part of the body feels uncomfortable, they will seek medical attention in time. This shows that people's health awareness has been strengthened. Many people experience swelling, pain or numbness in their fingers, which should also be taken seriously. But what causes sudden swelling and pain in a single finger?

Many people feel swollen fingers when they wake up, but they may not know what causes it. Recently, Professor Tammy Osen-Utusset, a rheumatologist at the University of Chicago, summarized the seven causes of swollen fingers and pointed out under what circumstances you should seek medical attention.

1. Hot and humid weather. High temperatures cause blood vessels to dilate, accelerating heat dissipation from the skin. As blood vessels dilate, some fluid in the blood leaks into the soft tissues, causing swelling. If the swelling disappears gradually as you move your fingers, there is generally no need to worry too much. But if it's accompanied by pain or loss of grip strength, you need to see a doctor.

2. Eating too much salt. Eating too much fried food such as fried chicken, French fries, etc. may cause swollen fingers. Under normal circumstances, the human body maintains a stable salt-water balance ratio. Eating too much salt means your body has to retain more water to compensate, which can cause swelling. Generally speaking, minor swelling caused by eating salty foods will go away on its own within a day, and how long the swelling lasts is related to how much excess salt there is in the body. If swelling persists after reducing your salt intake, you should seek medical attention.

3. Osteoarthritis. This degenerative change in the joints can also cause swelling in the fingers. An easy way to tell you have this condition is that you can no longer put your original rings on your knuckles. This age-related arthritis is caused by wear and tear of the cushioning tissue at the ends of joints. Osteoarthritis is often accompanied by pain and stiffness. If the swelling and pain are severe, you need to seek medical attention immediately.

4. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the nerve that runs from the forearm to the palm becomes compressed at the wrist. These symptoms usually come on slowly over time, often accompanied by pain, burning and tingling in the hands and fingers. Studies have shown that the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in women is three times that of men.

5. Lymphedema. This limb swelling disorder occurs when lymph fluid (whose function is to carry waste, bacteria, and viruses out of the body) cannot drain adequately. Not only may the fingers and toes swell, but the arms and legs may also swell. Patients may experience a feeling of tightness or thickening of their skin, according to a report from the National Cancer Institute. Lymphedema is often related to surgery or radiation therapy for breast cancer, but it may also be caused by abnormal growth in the lymphatic system.

6. Raynaud's disease. It is usually caused by narrowing of the arteries due to cold weather or stress. This disease is relatively common, and women are more likely to suffer from it. The fingers often turn blue or white before swelling occurs. This narrowing restricts blood circulation, and when circulation is restored, swelling (with tingling or pain) occurs.

7. Preeclampsia. Under normal circumstances, many people will experience swollen fingers during pregnancy. However, if the swelling of the limbs and face is severe (leaving a noticeable indentation when pressed with a thumb), it may be a warning sign of preeclampsia. If not treated in time, it will cause serious harm to the health of mother and baby. Therefore, elderly people (over 40 years old), obese women, and women carrying multiple babies should pay special attention to their blood pressure and seek medical attention promptly if swelling occurs.