First For Women

Q Lately, when I go for a walk my fingers swell. It goes away within 15 minutes, but why is this happening and should I be concerned? A

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It’s completely normal! As many as 25% of women experience this symptom because when you move, blood is redirected to the lungs and heart. This triggers the blood vessels in your extremitie­s to widen in an attempt to boost circulatio­n, which can lead to swelling—and warm weather can make the swelling worse. But simple tweaks can ward off the pesky symptom.

First, try swinging your arms while you walk to keep blood flowing to your hands. You can also stretch your fingers wide, then make a fist 5 to 10 times; repeat the movement every 5 minutes to ensure blood flow stays regular.

Also smart: Remove rings or tight watches, which can restrict blood flow, prior to exercise. But if the swelling persists for more than 2 or 3 hours after exercise, visit your doctor to rule out other causes.

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