Clubbing initially manifests itself as sponginess of the nail bed, along with loss of the nail bed angle, causing the nail to curve downward. This process makes the nail bed appear similar to that of the top part of an upside down spoon.
Causes of Clubbing
Clubbing is seen in individuals who have have coexistent pulmonary hypertension (high pressure inside lung blood vessels), a condition that can result from chronically low oxygen levels in COPD patients, but the majority of COPD patients do not have suffer from clubbing.
The following are some diseases in which clubbing may be present:
- Bronchiectasis
- Emphysema
- Celiac disease
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Some forms of congenital heart disease
- Chrohn's disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- Lung cancer
What To Do If You Notice Clubbing
If you notice clubbing, contact your doctor for an evaluation. Oftentimes, clubbing will be associated with other symptoms that may be part of a specific health condition.
