One example of a side effect from exercise is swelling in your hands and fingers. Though this isn't always a major medical concern, there are some causes of hand swelling that could be. Consult your doctor for more information on hand swelling during exercise.
Unclear Causes
According to the Mayo Clinic, there may not always be a known cause for swelling hands after or during exercise. As the website suggests, hand swelling can be a fairly common problem. It appears to be the way your body and blood vessels respond "to the increased energy demands of your muscles during exercise," according to the website. Furthermore, your heart works harder to push blood throughout your body, sometimes causing swelling in other areas.
Hyponatremia
Another potential cause of hand swelling during exercise is a medical condition called hyponatremia. This condition is marked by an abnormally low level of sodium in the body. Patients with this condition have swollen hands, fingers and even feet, usually accompanied by confusion, vomiting and other symptoms. The Mayo Clinic suggests symptoms associated with hyponatremia that are stomach-related are more common than the secondary symptom of hand swelling.
Injury
You can get hand swelling that's related to an injury to your hand, wrist, arm, or a finger. When experiencing injury or other trauma, your body naturally increases blood flow to the injured area as a means to increase the number of blood cells in the injured area. This allows your body to ward off infection following injury but can also cause increased swelling and pain in the injured limb.
Considerations
If you're concerned about swelling in your hands while you exercise, incorporate periods of rest during your workout to help limit this.
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