Various parts of our body are intertwined with each other. You may have a digestive problem, but it may be related to your heart, your skin issues could be associated with liver problems, and difficulty in walking may have a neurological cause. Similarly, experts believe clubbed fingers, where the fingertips become enlarged and the nails curve around the fingertips, are associated with a lung or a heart issue. We spoke to an expert to decode the same. Here’s what we found out.
What Is Finger Clubbing?
According to Dr Kunjal Patel, Molecular Oncopathologist, Neuberg Centre for Genomic Centre, Ahmedabad, finger clubbing is usually a sign of an underlying medical issue, such as heart or lung disease, and is not a condition on its own. It usually occurs because of changes in the blood vessels and tissues beneath the nails.
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“It involves the fingernails becoming wider and rounder at the tips. Although not exclusive to lung cancer, it can signal an underlying problem with the lungs, as decreased oxygen levels affect nail growth,” he says.
Can Finger Clubbing Be Linked To Lung Or Heart Problems?
Research suggests the most common pulmonary cause of clubbing is lung malignancy, which refers to the presence of cancerous or malignant growths or tumours in the lungs.
These tumours can originate in the lungs or spread to the lungs from other parts of the body (metastatic lung cancer).
"Of the several different types of thoracic malignancy, 80% of these cases of clubbing are caused by lung cancer, while pleural tumours contribute to roughly 10%, and other intrathoracic and mediastinal growth account for 5% of cases," says the research published in StatPearls Publishing.
Clubbing of the fingers and toes is also associated with heart problems, as per the American Heart Association (AHA), suggesting that it is linked to cyanosis found in certain congenital cardiovascular defects, a condition that causes your skin, lips or nails to turn blue due to a lack of oxygen in your blood.
However, it is important to note that clubbing of the fingers can be a result of non-cardiac and -pulmonary conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, the AHA adds.
How To Diagnose A Lung Problem
To know your lung health status, it is important to undergo certain tests, which include a comprehensive evaluation of lung function by PFT and DLCO: This typically includes spirometry, a common lung function test that measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale, as well as the rate at which they can expel air. These measurements, such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), provide valuable insights into the efficiency of lung ventilation and can help detect abnormalities or impaired lung function.
A DLCO (Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide ) test measures how well oxygen and carbon dioxide are moving between your lungs and your blood.
Another test involves the assessment of lung health through imaging techniques. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans are commonly used to provide detailed images of the lungs, helping to identify early signs of lung diseases like emphysema, fibrosis, and lung nodules. Detecting these abnormalities in their early stages can significantly improve treatment outcomes and enhance the chances of successful intervention.
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Tests like sputum analysis to evaluate the presence of inflammatory cells or infection can detect abnormal cells, which may indicate early-stage lung cancer or other chronic lung disorders.
It is also important to incorporate patient history and risk assessment, as per Dr Patel. "Gathering information about a person's exposure to pollutants, and family history of lung diseases helps in building a comprehensive understanding of their lung health risk factors. This data aids healthcare professionals in providing personalised advice and intervention strategies," he adds.
How To Diagnose A Heart Problem
Dr Sushrut Pownikar, Head Of Quality Assurance and Deputy Director, Oncquest Laboratories, New Delhi, shares a few tests to measure heart health. These include:
- Blood tests
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Exercise stress test
- Echocardiogram (ultrasound)
- Coronary angiogram, used to visualise the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen and nutrients.
Conclusion
Finger clubbing may not be a noticeable change in the nails. However, if it becomes more visible, get yourself examined by your healthcare professional. In most cases, clubbing of the fingers and toes is a sign of an underlying disease. Do not ignore it.
