The drumstick (Hippocratic fingers) symptom that occurs in lung cancer can be detected with a five-second test. I explained this Daily mail.
With lung and heart diseases, thickening of the last phalanges of the fingers is possible. At the same time, the shape of the nail plates changes, they become like a watch glass.
You can check using the “diamond gap” test. To do this, you need to fold the nails of the index (or thumb) fingers of your right and left hands. Normally, they should close together to form a diamond-shaped gap. If you cannot close your nails, you should definitely see a doctor.
The exact mechanisms by which “Hippocratic fingers” develop are unknown. Scientists believe they may be caused by an overproduction of the protein VEGF, which stimulates the formation of new blood vessels. This leads to increased blood flow to the fingers and fluid retention in the body.
The drumstick symptom also occurs in diseases of the intestines and thyroid gland.
A negative test result does not mean that you do not have lung cancer. In the past, doctors warnedthe tumor remains asymptomatic for a long time.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.