Swelling Question...

[rizzobob]

Hi. I am a newer runner. I live in South Florida and am training for the Wine & Dine Half. I am raising my mileage every week but have run in to a problem.. After the first mile, I start to swell. By mile 2, my fingers are huge. This morning, with the heat and humidity, I stopped at three miles just because I was so worried about what would come next. My hands were very swollen and red all the way to my wrists. When I bent my hands out, the skin at my wrists just popped up instead of bending with my hand. Does that make sense???

Usually I run at night, but now that I am increasing long runs, have to switch those to morning and it seems worse then. If you have any helpful hints about how to combat this, I would love to hear them.

Thanks so much!

Michele

 

[cewait]

Hand (and foot) swelling is generally no problem for most runners. A significant number of runners will see hands swell during longer runs, especially in the heat.

Causes?

- High blood flow associated with the activity. Hand are susceptible since they are held low and there is very little movement.
- Dehydration
- Running outdoors in high heat and humidity
- high sodium diet

General Fixes -
Run with your hands higher. and without clinched fists. Raise you hands by raising your elbows, not with a higher swing
Run earlier in the day or late at night
HYDRATE
Lower salt.

If this does happen in a run and it feels like a nuisance... windmill your arms and do bicep curls to help push some of the liquid up the arm. You can raise you arms in a stretch every mile or so. This also helps stretch and lower upper body stress.

Again generally no issue, but if you hands are becoming painful without bending fingers, lasts for a few hours post run or the hands swell say twice the size, then you should see a doctor. I am a little worried that this is reported in the first couple miles. If you are on BP meds ( or really under any long term med care) or are on the heavier side, get into the doctor just for sanity's sake. A diuretic for example can create dehydration quickly and cause this kind of swelling.

 

[hops&dreams]

I agree with checking with your Dr. My GP happens to be an avid runner and is the one who first suggested me running in Marathon Weekend to begin with!

My hands swell sometimes too, but I think mine starts more around mile 6, and isn't bad if I eat right and run in the morning. It's worse for me to run in afternoons. I also sometimes will run a couple blocks with my hands up (like I'm yelling AHHHH! or cheering, you know?). I may look silly, but my fingers look less like sausages.

Good luck!

 

[rizzobob]

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

I will call the doctor and see what they say. I run in the evenings as well and it has happened when I have changed up to run in the mornings. Maybe I am not hydrated enough then. Thanks so much.

And next time I get out, I will make sure to think of you hops&dreams when I run down the street holding my arms up in the air!!!!

Thanks!
Michele