Doctor-I Have Symptoms of Pain and Swelling in My Hands and Feet-What Could It Be?

While there are multiple causes of swelling and pain in the hands and feet, arthritis is probably the most common causes.

The term "arthritis" is derived from the Greek and means "joint inflammation". It refers to more than 100 different diseases that can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. Joints are where the ends of long bones connect and interact. The end of each bone inside a joint has a thin layer of cartilage and is held in place by ligaments, tendons, and muscles. A joint is lined with synovial tissue (comentario) that helps to nourish the joint. It is the comentario that often becomes inflamed in arthritis.

Arthritis may also affect other supporting structures around joints such as the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones. Some serious forms ofarthritis can affect internal organs.

The common symptoms of arthritis are due to inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, pain):

or Swelling in one or more joints

or Stiffness in the joints in the morning or with prolonged inactivity

or Joint pain or tenderness

or Restricted mobility in the joints

or Warmth or redness

Diagnosing arthritis can be difficult because some symptoms are often common to many different diseases. A rheumatologist will first do a complete physical exam, looking for clues. The eyes, ears, nose, throat, heart, lungs, and other parts of the body will be examined along with the joints. Lab tests and imaging procedures such as x-ray, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be ordered.

The most common forms ofarthritis are:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is also referred to as degenerative joint disease. This is the most common type of arthritis. When it affects the hands, it can cause painful swelling in the last row (Heberden's nodes) and middle row (Bouchards nodes) of finger joints. In the feet it will affect the toe joints as well as the mid foot. This disease affects cartilage, the tissue that cushions and protects the ends of bones in a joint. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage starts to wear away prematurely. The swelling of the fingers and toes may lead to bony deformity.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease; the body's immune system (defense mechanism against infection) attacks normal tissues. This reaction causes autoimmune inflammation of the comentario. RA symptomsinclude pain, stiffness, swelling, rapid loss of joint function, and crippling. Rheumatoid arthritis When severe, can also affect internal organs. This is the type of arthritis that most commonly causes severe inflammation in the hands and feet.

Rheumatoid arthritis tends to be symmetric-one side of the hot bodt turn being affected just like the other.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease characterized by generalized aches and pains. The pain is accompanied by stiffness that is worst in the morning but tends to last all day long. Patients may have localized tender points occurring in the muscles and tendons, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. These tender points are called trigger points. Fatigue and sleep disturbances may also occur. There is subjective swellingalong with pain in the hands and feet.

Gout and pseudogout are inflammatory forms of arthritis due to deposits of crystals in joints and other body tissues. Uric acid is the culprit in gout and calcium pyrophosphate is the villain in pseudogout. Both diseases cause painful attacks of arthritis affecting the hands and feet.

Infectious arthritis is a type of arthritis caused by either bacteria or viruses. A relatively common form of Lyme disease arthritis is infectious. Infectious forms of arthritis can cause swelling and pain in the hands and feet. A diagnosis is often difficult to establish. Antibiotics will often be used to treat bacterial infectious arthritis.

Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune arthritis that develops after a person has an infection in theurinary tract or. This problem is often referred to as Reiter's disease. People who have this disease often have eye inflammation (iritis), rashes, and mouth sores. Inflammatory arthritis involving the hands and feet leading to a toe or finger that looks like a sausage (dactylitis) is common.

Psoriatic arthritis. Some people who have psoriasis also have arthritis. This disease often affects the hands and feet. It is usually asymmetric. It also causes deformity of the fingernails and toenails (onycholysis) that is often misdiagnosed as a fungal problem. Sometimes the spine-neck and low back-can be affected. As with Reiter's disease, dactylitis often occurs.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is another autoimmune disease. Lupus can affect many organ systems including thejoints, skin, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, heart, and brain. This is a cause of swelling and pain involving the hands and feet.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is the most common type of arthritis affecting children. It leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints. A patient can also have rashes and fevers with this disease. Hands, wrists, ankles, and feet are often affected.

Polymyalgia rheumatica. Symptoms include pain, aching, and morning stiffness in the shoulders, hips, thighs, and neck. It is sometimes the first sign of giant cell arteritis, an inflammatory disease of the arteries characterized by headaches, scalp tenderness, weakness, weight loss, and fever. The hands and feet may be affected although less often than other joints. Theerythrocyte sedimentation rate (sed rate), a blood test that measures inflammation, is often greatly elevated.

Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae-the small, fluid-filled sacs that help cushion joints. The inflammation may accompany arthritis in the joint or injury or infection of the bursae. Bursitis produces pain and tenderness and may limit the movement of joints.

Tendinitis is inflammation of tendons (the fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones) caused by overuse, injury, or arthritis. Tendinitis produces pain and tenderness and may restrict movement of joints.

Not all conditions that cause symptoms of pain and swelling in the hands and feet are due to arthritis. Here are some non-arthritis causes ...

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a disorder thatis due to excessive production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Some patients with PV will not have any symptoms at all, but many will experience easy bruising or bleeding with minimal trauma. Also, the blood may become thick, causing it to clot in tiny blood vessels. If clotting does occur in the small blood vessels of the fingers and toes, a patient may experience numbness or burning. Swelling and pain in the hands and feet may also occur.

Some medical conditions cause edema ... swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, face, abdomen, or other areas of the body. Swelling is most often seen in the hands, the feet, or around the eyes. The swelling often causes pain.

edema is due to excessive fluid accumulation. It can be caused by abnormal kidney function,chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, phlebitis, varicose veins, thiamine deficiency, protein or sodium retention, or cancer.

Other reasons for edema are pregnancy, standing for prolonged periods of time, premenstrual syndrome, oral contraceptives, an injury (sprain), hypothyroidism (low thyroid), anemia, adrenal disease, deficiencies of potassium and B vitamins, or allergic reactions.

The cause of The swelling needs to be determined. Diagnoses such as congestive heart disease, kidney disease, or liver disease should be ruled out.

Insect stings can lead to swelling and pain in the hands and feet. The same type of reaction may occur with medications, such as penicillin or wigm. This is referred to as serum sickness.

Acromegaly is a disease where a tumorin the pituitary gland causes an overproduction of growth hormone. This leads to swelling and pain in the hands and feet.

Frostbite is another cause of swelling and pain in the hands and feet.

Blood clots in the veins are another cause of swelling and pain in the limbs. This rarely affects the upper extremities (arms). If it does, diseases associated with clotting abnormalities should be suspected.

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (causalgia) is an unusual disorder that leads to swelling and pain in the affected limb. Generally it occurs in an arm or a leg, rarely both at the same time. The preceding event is usually some type of trauma.

How To Recognize The Symptoms Of Adult Ear Infection

While ear infections are common in accouchement, they can still affect adults and are acquired by bacilli accepting central the ear.

Causes Of developed Ear Infection

Bacteria enters the average ear through what is accepted as the eustachian tube. When this happens, infection usually occurs. The resultant infection swells the average ear lining which in about-face causes Blockage in the eustachian tube. This leads to the accumulation of aqueous body up and as it increases, can account acting audition accident and pain. Unchecked, the aqueous body up can ability levels pressuring the ear boom and damaging it.

While there are several affidavits developed ear infection can apparent such as bacilli and bacilli or from the accepted cold, en charge be acclaimed andeveloped doesn't necessarily accept to be ill to become infected. baptize in the aerial which is estribord to sit close or deposited into the eustachian tubes from alarming the adenoids can advance to infection.

Adult Ear Infection Symptoms

The afterward are the affection of developed ear infection:

-Blockage in the ear

-acting audition loss

-affliction in the ear

-agitation and dizziness

It's important to see your doctor if you any acquaintance of these affection abnormally for any breadth of time. Caught early, the infection can be advised absolutely calmly and any added complications can be halted.

Adult Ear Infection Treatment

When infection is suspected, your doctor will conduct a accepted assay to affirm whether the affectionactuality are accomplished as a aftereffect of developed ear. Bear in apperception if the antecedent assay is a little atramentous again added tests may be required.

Bacterial infections are advised with accompanying antibiotics. If infection is diagnosed anon or you go in to see your doctor at the aboriginal assurance of symptoms, antibiotics could be delayed. This is because in adults, advance can action after the use of medication.

If the bearings doesn't advance a brace of days afterward, again to advance of antibiotics will usually be prescribed. As with the use of any antibacterial treatment, assigned advance should be completed from alpha to finish.

Viral infections are a little added alarming to treat. In fact, in some cases, accessory anaplasty could berecommended to advice blow the body up and cesspool the aqueous in the ear.

While application affection buds is usually frowned apon aloft by the medical profession, abrogation baptize in the ear from either showering or pond is not a acceptable idea. The use of an accustomed even could be recommended for the ear or for the nose, nasal sprays, which accept accurate able as a way of abrasion out bacteria.

Upper Abdominal Bloating Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Considered to be the best accepted Irritable Bowel Syndrome in evidence, high belly bloating can be absolutely aching and could be actual uncomfortable. It is a bloom action wherein the being feels bound and abounding in the abdomen area. The bloating can be attributed to balance abdominal gas. If you're experiencing this frequently, it would be smart to see a physician.

Possible Causes

There are a lot of causes, the best accepted is the accession of abdominal gas and liquids.

Other causes include:

Food Allergy Overeating Aerophagia or Air Swallowing Lactose Intolerance Partial Bowel Obstruction Constipation Menstruation Visceral Fat Gastric Dumping Syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome

If you anticipate that your action is associated withIrritable Bowel Syndrome, it is important that your doctor analyze it accurately and annihilate the added causes in adjustment to accommodate able treatment.

Common Symptoms

Some of the best accepted signs are:

Excessive Belching Flatulence Abdominal Pain Especially afterwards Eating
Treatment

If it is associated with IBS, your doctor will usually acclaim the afterward treatment:

Fiber Supplements-such as psyllium seed and beat Antacids-abbreviated to gas up body due to acid Diet Modification-abstain, blubbery foods and foods that produces gas IBS Medication

It is recommended that you additionally:

Eat slowly Walk afterwards anniversary meal Engage in approved concrete activity Remove accent by alleviationtechniques

With able diagnosis, analysis and management, bloating can be minimized if not avoided. The important affair is to accept your doctor accomplish a complete practical exam, medical history and medical testing ancestors in adjustment to affirm the account of this condition.

Pregnancy Symptoms and Signs

How can you tell if you are pregnant? There are a number of signs and symptoms to watch for. Chances are you will only experience a portion of the symptoms. Each pregnancy is different, and the same mom to be can experience different pregnancy signs each time she gets pregnant.

Pregnancy symptoms can begin for some mothers immediately after conception. Some pregnancy signs require that you chart your cycle, noting your daily basal body temperature.

Implantation

While a rare minority will experience pregnancy symptoms sooner, typically the first pregnancy signs occur when your baby implants around 8-10 days after ovulation. Implantation causes an increase in progesterone levels, which can lead to higher temperatures giving you a tri-phasic chart. If you temperature remains high for fifteen or more days after ovulation, you may be pregnant. Some women will see a slight temperature drop at implantation. Implantation bleeding sometimes occurs and can be pink, red, or brown in color. You may also have lower abdominal cramps.

Positive Pregnancy Test

The next and best sign that you are pregnant is a positive pregnancy test. Home pregnancy tests measure the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. The most sensitive home pregnancy tests will show a positive result when the hCG levels reach 20, which can happen as early as four days before your period is due, or approximately 10 days after ovulation.

False negatives are common when testing early with a home pregnancy test, so I recommend you wait to use one until eighteen days after ovulation to avoid false negatives. The usual recommendation is to wait until 14 days after ovulation before testing. Blood serum pregnancy tests performed by your doctor are much more sensitive. They can detect hCG levels as low as five. If you continue to experience pregnancy symptoms, but your home pregnancy test continues to show negative, you can make an appointment with your doctor to confirm your pregnancy.

Missed Period

One of the most common pregnancy signs is a missed period. For women with a standard 28-day cycle, their period is late if it has not arrived fifteen days after ovulation, or twenty-nine days after the first day of their cycle. Elevated basal body temperatures for 15 or more days will typically accompany the missed period.

Frequent Urination

Frequent urination is a very common early symptom of pregnancy. You may find yourself unable to be away from a bathroom for more than hour at a time, or waking up in the middle of the night to urinate.

Morning Sickness

Morning sickness can begin as early as 2 to 4 weeks after conception. The term morning sickness is something of a misnomer, as you can experience the nausea and vomiting throughout the day. Morning sickness typically is worst during the first trimester, and most pregnant women will have their morning sickness symptoms lessen or subside completely during the second or third trimester.

Breast Changes

Breast tenderness usually begins around 3 to 4 weeks after conception. This can also be a sign of your impending period. Usually the degree of breast tenderness is much stronger with pregnancy than with your period. You may also notice a slight tingling sensation.

Another change to your breasts early in pregnancy is the appearance. Your areolas can become larger and darker.

Fatigue

Fatigue can be an early sign of pregnancy. This symptom is not just being a little tired; it is more like feeling totally wiped out. Your normal daily activities can send you to complete exhaustion.

Body Discomforts

The physical and hormonal changes you experience with pregnancy can cause a long list of body changes that are annoying and uncomfortable. You may experience headaches, backaches, acne, constipation, heartburn, mood swings, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal cramps.

Food Cravings

Food cravings are a very common pregnancy symptom. Approximately 85% of women will experience some type of food craving during their pregnancy.

Food Aversions

The other side of food cravings is food aversions. They are also a very common sign of early pregnancy. You may find that a favorite food suddenly makes you feel nauseated just thinking about it.

Smell Aversions

A heightened sense of smell may cause some odors to seem stronger than normal when you are pregnant. Some smell aversions can cause food aversions.

Baby Movement

You can feel your baby moving as early as 16 weeks, but for first-time mothers may not feel the baby moving until 20 weeks or more.

Intuition

For some women, they just "feel" pregnant, even though they have had no other signs or symptoms. A mother's intuition is frequently accurate.

It is possible to experience some of the signs and symptoms of pregnancy, yet still not be pregnant. It is important that both you and your baby get under a doctor's care as early as possible. If you think you might be pregnant, treat your body as if you are pregnant until you know for sure. Take a home pregnancy test if you miss your period. If the test shows positive, then you are pregnant. Congratulations!

Identifying Strep Throat Symptoms

Strep throat symptoms are usually easy to spot. Strep throat is a local bacterial infection with group A streptococcus bacteria. Strep throat needs specific medical treatment that consists of antibiotics and analgesics. Unlike the symptoms of sore throat, strep throat symptoms are more intense and often include fever, headaches, inflammation of the tonsils and swelling of the lymph nodes. Sore throat is caused by viral infections and in most cases doesn't need special medical care. On the other hand, strep throat is considered to be a serious illness that can lead to complications. (sinusitis, tonsillitis) and therefore needs appropriate treatment and special medical care.

The bacteria responsible for causing strep throat are very contagious and they can be contracted by sneezing, coughing or physical contact. A person infected with group A streptococcus bacteria can easily contaminate other persons simply by breathing close to them. The bacteria responsible for strep throat are airborne and even an impeccable personal hygiene can't prevent the infection from occurring.

Anyone can get strep throat, especially accompanied by a cold or flu. Although strep throat mostly occurs in children and teenagers, adults can get strep throat just as well. The first strep throat symptoms resemble those of sore throat: throat pain and discomfort, inflammation of the tonsils, nausea, fatigue and poor appetite. However, strep throat symptoms are more intense and in many cases include: high fever, throat swelling and inflammation, difficulties in swallowing, swelling and inflammation of the tonsils (sometimes the tonsils may be covered in pus), swelling and tenderness of lymph nodes (the glands in the upper region of the neck), the presence of white patches in the throat, rash, abdominal pain and discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea. Most strep throat symptoms aren't very serious and if an appropriate treatment is prescribed in time, they ameliorate within the first days of treatment.

Strep throat symptoms that are considered to be medical emergencies are: high fever, severe dehydration, pronounced difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing, pronounced swelling of the neck, throat bleeding. It is very important to quickly seek medical help when you reveal the presence of these strep throat symptoms. Even if the strep throat symptoms aren't very serious, it is advised to maintain permanent connection with your physician and inform him about the progression of the illness. With appropriate antibiotic treatment, strep throat symptoms should be considerably diminished after the first 3-4 days. If the illness persists and strep throat symptoms don't seem to ameliorate, the doctor might consider changing the treatment.

Pay careful attention to strep throat symptoms and make sure you follow the doctor's exact indications. Also, don't interrupt the treatment unless your physician tells you to do so. Strep throat needs at least ten days of continuous treatment with antibiotics in order to heal properly.

Puffy Face During Pregnancy - Is It Normal? Causes and Symptoms

Many women suffer from a puffy face during pregnancy. Normally we assume they've gained weight or are retaining excess water, since weight gain with pregnancy is normal and will often show itself in the face among other places. In fact, during the third trimester, most women wake up each morning with a swollen face. This is due to increased circulation, and is often not harmful. There are however, some causes of that need to be taken very seriously. Preeclampsia can cause a puffy face during pregnancy. This condition can be very dangerous, and if you suspect you may have it, a call to the doctor is recommended.

Characterized by edema (excess water retention), hypertension, protein in the urine (proteinuria), and sudden rapid weight gain, preeclampsia must be monitored closely. A swollen face, along with swollen hands, ankles and feet, is typical of edema. An easy test is to press in the tips your fingers and make an indention. If the flesh stays depressed longer than normal, it can be a sign of edema.

Treatment may include bed rest, elevation of legs, water increase, and avoiding salt. If these symptoms accompany mental confusion, headaches, or other neurological signs, get to your doctor or hospital right away. Dehydration can also cause a puffy face during pregnancy. When you don't take in enough water, the body tries to retain the small amount it has. Therefore the blood vessels enlarge and boom! you end up with a swollen face.

Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and excess sodium, and watch your urine color. If it's too yellow, drink more water.

Lack of vitamin C and/or beta carotene are other causes of puffy face while pregnant.

Puffy face during pregnancy should be diagnosed with every possibility. Make sure you take pregnancy vitamin supplements (as recommended by your doctor), and eat foods rich in Vitamin C, and all other required vitamins and minerals.

Due to belly size, leg pain, and other conditions, women find it hard to sleep during the last stages of pregnancy. Alas, if you don't get enough sleep, you may wake up with a swollen face. Lack of sleep is probably the most common cause of a puffy face during pregnancy. If you can't get comfortable in bed, try a big comfy chair. If you can't sleep at night, sleep during the day. If other children keep you up, ask a friend to babysit a few hours so you can get your needed rest.

Folliculitis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Folliculitis is the name given to a group of skin conditions. Folliculitis is defined histologically as the presence of inflammatory cells. Folliculitis is the infection of hair follicles. This can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. It may be superficial or deep, and it causes the formation of a pustule or inflammatory nodule surrounding the hair. The inflammation can be either limited to the superficial aspect of the follicle with primary involvement of the infundibulum or the inflammation can affect both the superficial and deep aspects. Severe cases may cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. Folliculitis may arise as hairs regrow after shaving, waxing, electrolysis or plucking. Swabs taken from the pustules are sterile i.e. there is no growth of bacteria or other organisms.

It is usually caused by bacteria. Common superficial form of infectious folliculitis is known as impetigo of Bockhart or barbers itch and is caused by Staphylococcus aureus. It can also be caused by yeast and another type of fungus. Folliculitis caused by a fungus is most often seen in people who have trouble fighting infections because they have an impaired immune system. There are also forms of folliculitis which are non-infectious such as those caused by tars, oils and greases that come into contact with the skin. The lesions are seen in the bearded area, often on the upper lip near the nose, as erythematous follicular-based papules or pustules that may rupture and leave a yellow crust. The pustule is often pierced by a hair that is easily extracted from the follicle. This form of folliculitis may occur more commonly in staphylococcal nasal carriers.

Causes of Folliculitis

1. Friction from shaving.

2. Follicular trauma.

3. Excessive perspiration.

4. Occlusion.

5. Inflammatory skin conditions.

Symptoms of Folliculitis

1. Pain.

2. Erythema (inflammation and redness of the skin).

3. Edema.

4. Yellow pus-filled lesions.

5. Small pimples.

Treatment of Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis rarely requires treatment, although your doctor may prescribe an oral or topical medication to help relieve itching (anti-pruritic). If the patient is immunocompromised or the lesions are persistent oral ciprofloxacin may be given. Topical antibiotics, such as bacitracin with polymyxin B, may be administered. Fusidic acid is available both as a cream and as an ointment. You should apply it thinly on to the infected area 3-4 times daily.Mupirocin is available both as a cream and an ointment. You should apply it thinly on the affected area 3 times a day for up to 10 days. It may be used on all ages except for in the USA where the Bactroban nasal ointment is not recommended for children under the age of 12. Eosinophilic folliculitis therapies are effective against eosinophilic folliculitis, but topical corticosteroids are often the treatment of choice. Applying moist heat compresses to the local area helps promote vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels) and drainage from the lesions. Keeping skin clean, dry, and free from abrasions or irritation can help prevent folliculitis. More severe cases may require treatment with isotretinoin (Accutane) for several months.

Sunburn - Causes, Symptoms ans Treatment

Sunburn is a burn to living tissue such as skin or leaves produced by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, commonly from the sun 's rays. Sunburn may also occur from exposure to other UV light sources such as solaria or tanning salons. At a cellular level, sunburn is associated with microscopic changes in the skin. There is the formation of UV induced sunburn cells and a reduction in Langerhan cells and mast cells, which play an essential part of the body's immune defence system. Almost everyone has been sunburned or will become sunburned at some time. Anyone who visits a beach, goes fishing, works in the yard, or simply is out in the sun can get sunburn. Improper tanning bed use is also a source of sunburn. Although seldom fatal, sunburn can be disabling and cause quite a bit of discomfort.

Sunburn is a visible reaction of the skin's exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible rays that are part of sunlight. Most of the sunlight's damage to the skin is caused by the ultraviolet B (UV-B) rays, which have long been known to hurt the skin. UV-B rays penetrate through to the lower layers of the skin, damaging skin cells. While melanin, a dark pigment in the upper layers of the skin, can protect the skin from some of the effects of UV rays, different people have different amounts of melanin in their skin. This explains why some people get burned easier than others.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US and exposure to the sun is the leading cause of skin cancer. Children often spend a good part of their day playing outdoors in the sun, especially during the summer. Children who have fair skin, moles, or freckles, or who have a family history of skin cancer, are more likely to develop skin cancer in later years. Exposure to the sun during daily activities and play causes the most sun damage. Overexposure to sunlight before age 18 is most damaging to the skin .

Causes of Sunburn

1. Consumption of birth control pills

2. Antibacterial agents used in soaps

3. Outdoor activities like swimming, skiing and hiking

Symptoms of Sunburn

1. Chills.

2. Nausea or vomiting.

3. Swelling of the skin.

4. Dizziness or headaches.

5. Flu-like symptoms may develop.

6. Fever.

Treatment of Sunburn

Treat as for other burns with cold water to remove the heat. Calamine lotion will relieve the irritation whilst paracetamol will also help. Avoid applying petroleum jelly or lotions which can hold the heat intact the burned skin. However, moisturizing lotions can be relieving. To alleviate the pain and swelling, patients may be asked to take aspirin. Increased fluid loss can occur through badly sunburned skin, so fluid replenishment with an 'isotonic' drink is recommended. Avoid more sun exposure until the skin completely heals, usually within one or two weeks.