Health
Unlock the Secrets Your Hands Reveal About Your Health
Many have heard the saying, “Your eyes are the windows to your soul,” but did you know that your hands can paint a detailed picture of your health too? These dexterous appendages can serve as potent instruments, revealing tell-tale signs about latent health concerns that warrant a doctor’s attention.
The power grip of your hand, for instance, isn’t just vital for opening jars or carrying groceries. According to Mark D. Peterson, a professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Michigan, your grip strength can depict the overall vigor of your body, and its links with some major health conditions are quite startling.
“Grip strength reflects overall body strength and health, and has been linked to dementia, cardiovascular disease and even mortality,” Peterson states. Moreover, variations in one’s grip strength can correlate with alterations in their DNA, giving a measure of how swiftly they are aging. So, the question arises, how can one maintain this significant element of health?
“Strength preservation is the most important thing one can do when they pass their 50th birthday,” advises Peterson. Incorporating strength training into your exercise regimen can be a contributory factor in maintaining your grip strength and, likewise, your overall wellbeing.
Another potential health indication from our hands relates to two of the most common types of arthritis: osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA, an autoimmune condition, often influences both hands symmetrically and specifically affects the joints where your fingers meet your hand. As Stuart D. Kaplan, M. D., chief of rheumatology at Mount Sinai South Nassau, explains, “With RA, the joints are swollen and spongy.”
In contrast, OA may target a single hand or even a specific digit, resulting in bony overgrowths at the middle or last joint of the fingers. To manage these arthritic conditions, it’s essential to act promptly.
“We have great drugs for RA, called biologics, that can change the course of the disease and stop it in its tracks,” asserts Kaplan, stressing the importance of early detection and treatment for preventing irreversible damage. For OA, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and topical anti-inflammatory creams can aid in alleviating discomfort.
Another surprising health clue your hands may provide is the presence of hard yellow bumps under the skin of your joints. These often indicate deposits of fat known as xanthomas, and they can be associated with high lipid levels in your blood, signifying potential issues such as diabetes, liver disease, or an underactive thyroid, says Shari Lipner, M. D., associate professor of clinical dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
What to do when encountering such bumps? Lipner advises to consult a doctor. Cholesterol-lowering drugs can usually assist in eliminating these bumps by working on the elevated lipid levels.
So, thinking about keeping track of your overall health? Simply take a closer look at your hands. They might have a fascinating tale to tell.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.