This Change In Your Fingernails Could Be A Sign Of Lung Cancer
Developing a new and persistent cough, as well as wheezing or coughing up bloody phlegm are all significant symptoms that could signal problems with your lung health and potentially be early signs of lung cancer. But, did you know that a particular change in fingernail growth could also be a
Posted — UpdatedIn an effort to raise awareness, she posted about her diagnosis on Facebook, saying: “When your nails curve, its (sic) often linked to heart and lung disease and its official term is ‘clubbing.’ I had no idea … Did you?”
Here’s her full post and a photo of her own nail:
What Is Nail Clubbing?
“We don’t quite know precisely what causes it,” he said. “It tends to be associated with low oxygen in the blood.”
Clubbing, he said, could also be caused by shunting of venous blood within the lungs.
“We suspect that these conditions release a substance in the blood, which dilates certain blood vessels,” Edelman said.
There are also benign reasons that could cause nail clubbing: A congenital form runs in some families, for example, and has no medical significance, Edelman said.
Other Signs Of Lung Cancer
In most cases, signs of lung cancer occur late in the course of the disease, according to Edelman.
“That’s why CAT scan screening is so important,” he said.
Some people with early lung cancer do have symptoms, so medical professionals say you should see a doctor when you first notice symptoms, because cancer might be diagnosed at an earlier stage, when treatment is more effective.
- A cough that does not go away or gets worse
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored spit or phlegm
- Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Weight loss and loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or weak
- Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back
- New onset of wheezing
What Else Can Our Fingernails Tell Us?
“Spoon nails,” with depressions in the center, could be a sign of iron deficiencies or hemochromatosis, a liver condition in which your body is absorbing too much iron from the foods you eat. This nail deformity could also be a sign of heart disease or hypothyroidism.
When nails appear white except for a narrow pink band at the tip, it’s known as Terry’s nails, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can be attributed simply to aging but could also mean liver disease, kidney failure, diabetes or congestive heart failure.
- Celebrities React To The News Of Chadwick Boseman’s Death
- What You Need To Know About COVID-19 And Secondhand Smoke
- Women Donated Their Hair To Make A Custom Wig For Their Friend With Cancer
- Ryan Reynolds Offered A Reward For A Stolen Teddy Bear That Plays A Message From The Owner’s Late Mother And It Was Returned
Copyright 2024 Simplemost. All rights reserved.