Doctors say a simple test that involves tracing a small diamond-shaped window with your finger could help spot early signs of serious health problems, including lung cancer and heart disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Imagine being able to perform a quick test yourself that could be the first sign of a serious health problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Schamroth test, a simple, noninvasive test performed on the fingers, has been recognized by health care professionals as a potential indicator of digital herniation, a condition associated with lung cancer, heart disease, and other serious conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s find out how the Schamroth test works and what its results can mean for your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Herniated toes
The Schamroth window test is a simple technique used to check for a herniated finger. As Medscape explains, the condition affects the shape of the fingers and nails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A digital herniation usually develops over years and progresses in stages. According to Cancer Research UK, for a herniated finger:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nail bed is warm, and the skin around the nail is shiny.
The fingertips appear wider, giving them a chopstick-like appearance.
The nail bed becomes soft.
The nails become more curved: they bend downward and resemble spoons.
The nail bed feels spongy.
The exact cause of a herniated finger is not fully understood, but Very Well Health states that it is believed to “occur due to long-term low blood oxygen levels, known as hypoxemia.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Potential Conditions
Digital herniation is associated with several serious conditions, including:
Lung cancer: Studies show that 35% of people with non-small cell lung cancer develop digital herniation, while it is less common in small cell lung cancer (about 4%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mesothelioma: This rare cancer, often caused by asbestos exposure, affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Many mesothelioma patients have noticed swelling of the nails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chronic lung disease: Diseases such as cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and asbestosis can lead to the development of a digital hernia due to long-term oxygen deprivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Heart disease: Some congenital heart diseases and infective endocarditis (infection of the heart wall) can cause disruption of oxygen flow, resulting in hernia formation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liver and gastrointestinal diseases: Conditions such as liver cirrhosis, Crohn’s disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been associated with clubfoot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do-it-yourself test
: To perform the test, follow these steps:
Place your hands in front of your eyes.
Place your index fingers together so that your nails touch.
Pay attention to the spaces between your nails.
Typically, there should be a small, diamond-shaped space between your nails. The lack of this space could be a symptom of a digital hernia, which requires further medical evaluation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“If you don’t see any gaps under your nails, it means your toes are sausage-shaped. You should see your primary care physician as soon as possible to determine if the sausage-shaped toes are caused by an underlying condition,” oncology nurse Emma Norton told the Huffington Post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Published by CMAJ on Thursday, November 14, 2019
Please remember that the results are not a definitive diagnosis, but rather a warning sign that you should consult a doctor.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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