King Charles III is currently doing countless appointments and public appearances. This is the official protocol that came into force following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. Whether at his proclamation or his first meeting with the new Prime Minister Liz Truss (47) – the 73-year-old is under the scrutiny of the media and the people. Some people noticed the monarch’s swollen hands and fingers, which sparked speculation years ago: Is the head of state sick?
Compared to the “Daily Star» explains the medical scientist Dr. Gareth Nye of the University of Chester what might be behind the red, swollen hands, namely edema. “Edema is a common condition that mostly affects people over 65,” says the scientist and goes on to explain: “In edema, the body accumulates fluid in the limbs, usually in the legs and joints, but also in the fingers – and that leads to swelling. To see if this is the cause, applying pressure to the swollen area for regarding 15 seconds would cause an indentation in the area.”
But arthritis, an inflammation of the joints, is also conceivable, according to Nye. After all, this is not uncommon in older people. “The fingers become stiff, painful and swollen. With the right medication, you can relieve the pain, but the swelling can still persist,” says the doctor. Other causes of swollen fingers can be a high-salt diet or certain medications, such as for high blood pressure. But there is no need to worry regarding the 73-year-old king.