When it comes to understanding the connection between your hands and overall health, there is a lot of information out there. Your hands are one of the most important parts of human anatomy, as they help you with everyday activities like writing, grasping objects, cooking, and more. Do you ever stop and think about how your hands can affect your overall health? The truth is that there’s a strong link between them, so in this article, we will explore the connection between our hands and overall health.
Anatomy and Physiology of Hands
The human hand consists of 27 bones—14 in the fingers and thumb, and 8 carpal bones that form a bridge between each finger and the wrist joint. Additionally, there are 19 muscles in each hand used for a movement that allows us to grasp objects or manipulate them with finesse. There are also multiple ligaments that provide stability to the hand and various tendons, such as the flexor and extensor digitorum muscles, which help with gripping power.
The nerves in our hands play an important role in connecting them to our overall health. The fingers, palms, and backs of our hands are packed with nerve endings that convey sensations throughout the body. In other words, when something is wrong with the health of your hands (such as arthritis or injury) it can have a ripple effect on the rest of your body’s functioning.
How Illnesses Affect Hand Health
Certain illnesses can also have a negative impact on the health of our hands. For example, arthritis is an inflammatory condition that affects the joints and connective tissues in the hand. It causes pain and stiffness in the fingers, as well as difficulty when it comes to simple activities like buttoning shirts or grasping objects. Diabetes is another illness that can negatively affect hand health; it causes nerve damage which leads to numbness and loss of sensation—which can be dangerous if left untreated.
Tips to Keep Your Hand Healthy and Strong
It is clear that our hands can have a profound effect on our overall health, so it is important to take proper care of them.
1. Hand Hygiene
Keeping your hands clean is essential for maintaining good overall health. Germs on our fingers can be transferred to food or other surfaces that we touch regularly, which can lead to the spread of illnesses. Washing your hands regularly with mild soap and warm water, especially after using the bathroom or before eating, is a simple way to keep germs at bay. In addition, always use hand sanitizer when out in public areas, as this will help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses.
2. Hand Strength
Our hands are responsible for a variety of everyday activities like lifting objects and writing, so having strong hands is important for maintaining good overall health. Regularly performing exercises that target your hand muscles, such as gripping, squeezing stress balls or rubber bands, or even playing the piano, can improve hand strength and dexterity over time. In addition to improving muscle strength, these exercises can also help reduce joint pain and stiffness.
3. Hand Injury Prevention
Due to the delicate nature of our hands, it is important to take extra precautions when engaging in activities that can potentially cause harm. Be sure to wear protective gloves while gardening, cleaning, or working with sharp objects; this will help you avoid any serious injuries. In addition, be sure to stretch your hands regularly, as this helps keep your muscles and joints flexible, which can prevent injury.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the connection between our hands and overall health is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Keeping our hands clean by washing them regularly can help us avoid illnesses caused by germs and bacteria on our fingers. Also, exercises that focus on the hand muscles can improve strength and dexterity, making it easier to do everyday tasks. Finally, using protective gloves whenever possible can protect our hands from potential injury.
Dr. Colin Hong offers hand conditions treatment, and you can schedule a consultation by contacting his office at (416) 222-6986 or sending an email to info@drcolinhong.com. Remember to provide your full contact details and have a referral from your family doctor.
