by Your hands can reveal a lot about you, from the hardness and callouses formed through years of physical labor to the softness that comes with a life of ease. However, they can also signal the onset of serious health issues, such as heart disease and lung cancer.
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in the UK after dementia, claiming more than 60,000 lives each year from related conditions. Although genetics can influence the likelihood of developing heart disease, early detection can lead to preventative measures such as dietary changes or medications.
Lung cancer, the fifth leading cause of death in the UK, prematurely claims the lives of 95 people every day. As well as quitting smoking to reduce the risk of developing lung cancer or mesothelioma, early detection of symptoms and consultation with your GP can increase survival rates by up to 20 times.
READ MORE: GPs could be going on strike – when and why
Although your hands are far from the heart of these health issues, they can show various signs that indicate something is wrong in your body. While most of these symptoms can be harmless, there are certain signs of ill health that should always be brought to the attention of a medical professional.
Changes in the shape or color of your finger can cause a range of conditions, many of which are harmless, but some of which can be life threatening. If your fingers or tendons start to swell, it may be time to consult your doctor, Gloucestershire Live reports.
Finger clubbing
When the tips of your fingers or toes start to swell and the skin around your nails becomes shiny, this is referred to as finger clubbing, digital clubbing, or sometimes Hippocratic finger. As the tip of the digit changes, clubbing often changes the shape and angle of the toenail, which often turns red and feels warm.
The club usually develops gradually over several years, but lung involvement can start suddenly. According to Mount Sinai Hospital, lung cancer is the most common cause of clubbing fingers, although it can indicate other conditions, and not everyone will develop clubbed finger disease.
It usually starts at the base of the finger before spreading, causing the nails to curve more than usual. However, there is a simple test to find out if you have a ring finger – press your fingers together, and if you see a diamond-shaped gap of light, your finger is probably normal.
Although finger and toe clubbing can also indicate problems with your heart and thyroid, as well as lung cancer and mesothelioma, Cancer Research UK describes it as an “unusual” condition. They advise: “If you think you might have it and are concerned, talk to your doctor.”
“They can examine you and learn about any other symptoms you may have. If necessary, they can arrange tests, such as a chest x-ray to examine your lungs.”
When the underlying cause of clubbing is addressed, the swelling should subside.
Knuckles swollen
High levels of cholesterol in your body can usually only be detected by a blood test carried out by your GP. However, for those with an inherited condition known as familial hypercholesterolaemia, overeating and neglecting self-care can lead to swollen ankles.
This is called tendon xanthomata, a condition that results from a buildup of cholesterol around your tendons, which can affect the tendons on your hands, knees, and Achilles tendon. Although high cholesterol levels and the resulting heart disease are usually linked to older adults, if you are one of the 220,000 people in the UK with this genetic condition, the swelling can start early in people adult.
Research shows that people with this condition often develop arterial thickening due to high cholesterol levels from the age of 11, according to an NHS study. It is therefore essential to recognize these symptoms and implement the necessary lifestyle changes to combat them.
Only eight per cent of those with this family condition have been identified by the health service, so if you notice that your lumps are swollen and there are other yellow lumps on your arm, or around your eyes, might be worth checking. However, for most Brits, the only way to determine your cholesterol level is to have a blood test administered by a healthcare professional.
The American Academy of Dermatology has highlighted that swelling in the legs and lower legs can be a sign of heart disease: “Many heart diseases cause fluid in your legs and lower legs. swelling, which can extend as far as the upper legs and groin.”
According to the NHS, this swelling may be “better in the morning and get worse later in the day”.
Crushed fingers
The appearance of unexplained blisters on your fingers could indicate serious underlying health issues such as blood disorders. Fingers are an uncommon place for people to develop bruises without significant injury or trauma.
Leukemia UK Research Director Simon Ridley told the Express: “One of the common warning signs and symptoms of leukemia is an eruption.”
“These bruises are different from the types that we all get from time to time because they can appear in unusual or unexpected places, for example on the hands of adults.”
Every year, almost 5000 Brits lose their lives to leukaemia. Despite significant advances in survival rates, the illness still carries a 40 percent death rate.
It is vital to recognize the early symptoms and report them to your GP to increase your chances of survival.
If your fingers are discolored, without putting pressure on it, this could be a sign of Raynaud’s phenomenon, where the blood stops flowing properly to the fingers and toes, causing blisters.
This often starts with stress but is often harmless. If it becomes painful or is associated with other conditions, it may be an indicator of lupus, or Crohn’s disease.
Other symptoms of lung cancer
Finger clubbing is one of the least common symptoms of lung cancer or mesothelioma, the most common symptoms are:
-
A persistent cough lasting three weeks or more
-
No breath
-
Wheezing
-
Frequent chest infections
-
A cough that changes or gets worse
-
Chest and/or shoulder pain
-
Blood or blood turning in your phlegm
-
Unexplained fatigue or lack of energy
-
Hoarseness
-
Swelling in the face or neck.
Although these symptoms do not always mean you have lung cancer, you should speak to your GP if you are concerned. According to the NHS, anyone diagnosed with early stage lung cancer has a 20 times higher chance of living for five more years.
Other symptoms of heart disease
The most obvious sign of coronary heart disease is a heart attack, or angina, but there are various symptoms that could be a sign that something is wrong with your heart if you experience them continuously or along with symptoms another. These symptoms include:
If you have any concerns about your health, you should always talk to your doctor about your symptoms as your first point of contact.
