Common Causes Of Swollen Hands And Feet

Heart, Liver, Or Kidney Disease

Feet swelling can be an early indicator of heart, liver, or kidney disease. Renal disease, or kidney disease, is one of the most common causes of swelling in the ankles, legs, feet, and hands. During kidney failure, excess water and sodium cannot effectively remove it from the blood, which causes water or sodium retention and swelling.

If a patient suffers from liver disease, they may experience low protein levels in their blood that can cause fluid to leak from blood vessels into their tissues, which causes further swelling. Or if they are affected by heart complications, the damaged heart cannot efficiently pump blood, which can result in blood getting backed up in the legs, feet, and ankles, thus potentially causing swelling in these areas. Swelling of the feet does not always indicate kidney, liver, or heart disease, but it can be an early warning sign to get checked.

Infections

Many different kinds of infections can develop after an injury or wound, each with their causes. However, they all share common symptoms, including pain, swelling, redness, warmth, drainage of pus from the affected area, swollen lymph nodes, red streaks extending from the affected area, and fever.

Inflammation is the body's natural protective response to tissue irritation. When the tissue becomes irritated, the immune system increases blood flow to the area, which causes swelling, warmth, and redness. Most minor infections and mild inflammations will go away on their own. However, getting medical treatment can receive a prompt response and prevent more severe complications.