Swollen hands and face could occur due to a number of reasons, but the most
common reason is because of fluid retention in the affected part. The most
common places for swelling are the hands, feet, arms, legs and ankles, etc. Why
do people with IgA Nephritis experience swelling of the hands and face?
IgA Nephropathy is a silent disease that may go undetected for years, but the
onset is often before the age of 40. It is caused by deposits of the protein
immunoglobulin A (IgA) inside the glomeruli(tiny blood vessels, or capillaries)
within the kidneys.
The glomeruli normally filter waste products and excessive fluid from the
blood stream and send them to the bladder as urine. However, IgA deposits
prevent this filtering process, leading to excessive fluid's trapped in the
body's tissues.
Due to capillary damage or increased pressure, tiny blood vessels leak fluid
into the surrounding tissue, the area will begin to become swollen.
Leaking capillaries will cause the kidneys to collect higher than normal
amount of salt and water in order to compensate for the capillary fluid loss. As
a result, there is increased blood circulation in the body. In turn, even more
capillary leak into the around tissue, causing additional swelling- a vicious
circle.
The condition is more serious if the swollen hands and face are coupled with
a shortness of breath, unexplained weight gain or nausea. Any of these signs,
combined with swelling of the hands and face, are a signal that IgA Nephritis
has progressed to advanced stages.
To alleviate the swollen hands and face, reducing the salt consumption and
having enough rest during the day are necessary. If the problem persists, IgA
Nephritis patients need to seek for medical treatment as early as possible. Or,
you can consult our online experts for free help.