The examination of the hand and nails can lead to a number of diagnoses. Some of these include liver disease (Terry's nails), kidney disease (Lindsay's nails), lung disease (nail clubbing), endocarditis and many others.
Taking the hands conveys a sense of warmth and connectedness and is a means to communicate the physician's mindfulness. The hands can focus the examination on the individual patient as a complete human being, and not merely a disease or a collection of symptoms.
Dry skin and chipped fingernails are not the only reason to pay attention to your hands. For new research shows they contain vital details about our health, including clues to hidden diseases such as cancer.
Those with irregular or rounder-shaped palms and short fingers are fiery, extrovert and need to be centre of attention. They tend to be action takers who get everyone started. Those with tall, rectangular palms and long fingers need to rationalise, understand and analyse. Sometimes they can be aloof and critical.
A hand specialist is an orthopedic doctor who specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disorders in the hand, wrist, and forearm. They have a profound understanding of the complex networks of blood vessels, nerves, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones that make up the hand and fingers.
A clip-like device called a probe is placed on a body part, such as a finger or ear lobe. The probe uses light to measure how much oxygen is in the blood. This information helps the healthcare provider decide if a person needs extra oxygen.
It is used to monitor dehydration and the amount of blood flow to tissue.
"It used to be common for doctors to look at the hands for important clues to overall health," says endocrinologist Kenneth Blanchard. “Hands can tell you a great deal about circulation, hormones, and thyroid function."
The endocrinologist will then perform a check-up to ensure you have no abnormalities on your body. This includes checking your hands and feet for any skin infections or sores, assessing gum health, and feeling your abdomen for any protrusions.
The telltale signs of aging on hands include wrinkles, sun spots, a loss of skin elasticity, vein prominence, and a loss of volume in hands that makes the bones and ligaments in your hands appear more prominent.
Manicured hands show elegance
Sometimes people make unconscious gestures that show off their beautiful hands. They also feel stylish and graceful. People may look at your hands because they perceive this elegance or simplistic beauty.
A hug may or may not be acceptable. The person who has the right to make that determination is the patient. Nurses are expected to interact with patients in an empathetic way that supports the patient's healing or wellness. Nurses are not required to hug patients when patients ask for a hug.
Your child's blood flow (circulation) may be affected by the treatment they had for their injured arm or leg. To prevent more injuries, you need to check the circulation in their fingers or toes. Some pain is normal after an injury.
"Red palms can indicate liver disease. Knobbly knuckles, especially on the lower finger joints, can indicate that a patient has rheumatoid arthritis, and the colour of the creases in the hand, as well as the redness behind the finger nail, can indicate whether someone is anaemic."
Germs can spread from person to person or from surfaces to people when you: Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands.
The hands can reveal health conditions like heart disease, Raynaud's, psoriasis, nickel allergy, and more. Karen is a senior editor at Health, where she produces health condition “explainers” backed by current science.
What hand conditions to you observe in people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes? Trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome, digital flexor tenosynovitis are more common, as are mild flexion contractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints.
A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.
An abdominal tap can help diagnose the cause of fluid buildup or the presence of an infection. It may also be done to remove a large amount of fluid to reduce belly pain.
When your provider presses on your belly, he or she may get clues to possible problems. This exam with the hands gives healthcare providers information about important parts of the body. These are the liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines, stomach, pancreas, bladder, gallbladder, appendix, and the abdominal aorta.
The Hoffman test determines whether a person has spinal cord damage. During this quick test, you hold out one of your arms and open your palm facedown, extending your fingers in front of you. Your doctor will then flick your middle fingernail.