What causes swollen hands and feet upon waking in the morning, and what should be done about it?

Swelling in the hands and feet upon waking in the morning may be related to excessive water intake, rheumatoid arthritis, glomerulonephritis, or other causes, and can be managed through daily care, medication, and other interventions. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Excessive water intake

Drinking too much water may lead to excess fluid in the body, causing accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces and blood vessels, thus resulting in swelling of the hands and feet. This condition does not require special treatment and usually resolves spontaneously within a few hours.

2. Rheumatoid arthritis

In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks the body's own joint tissues, leading to joint inflammation and pain. During this process, the body may produce large amounts of inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which promote fluid accumulation in tissue spaces and blood vessels, thereby causing swelling in the hands and feet. Patients may take anti-rheumatic medications such as methotrexate tablets or tofacitinib citrate tablets as prescribed by a physician.

3. Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is a kidney disease that may impair glomerular filtration function, leading to disturbances in the body's water metabolism and consequently causing swelling in the hands and feet. Patients may take diuretics such as furosemide tablets or hydrochlorothiazide tablets as directed by a doctor.

Besides the common causes listed above, swelling may also be associated with nephrotic syndrome, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and other conditions. Patients should seek medical evaluation at a hospital to determine the underlying cause and receive standardized treatment accordingly.