This simple finger test may reveal your hidden risk for lung disease
How to know if your joints are super-flexible
Stiff joints can signal trouble, but super-flexible ones may even bring worse news. If you are able to bend your pinkie backward 90 degrees or touch your thumb to your forearm, this may not necessarily be a good thing.Sign of a rare genetic condition, uber-flexible joints may indicate your increased risk of respiratory illnesses and complicated recovery, as per experts.A quick flexibility test at home could help you uncover this hidden risk. This test is done to understand if your joints can go beyond the typical range of motion. Even if your joints are super-flexible, for most it isn't a sign of worry, but for some people, it could mean they may be suffering from a worrisome condition called Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects your connective tissues - your skin, joints and blood vessel walls. People suffering from the condition have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin, according to mayoclinic.This can become a serious issue if you have a wound that needs stitches, as the skin may not be strong enough to hold them properly. Connective tissue, a complex blend of proteins and other elements, gives your body structure, strength, and flexibility, and when it's compromised, healing becomes much more difficult.A severe form of disorder could cause the walls of your blood vessels, intestines or uterus to rupture. People with the condition may have muscle weakness, including in the muscles that control inhaling and exhaling.Patients may report respiratory issues, including shortness of breath, difficulty with deep inhalation, sleep apnea, coughing, wheezing that mimics asthma and even chest pain that worsens with breathing in. Breathing pattern disorders are also common. For example, people with EDS may unconsciously adopt a 'bracing' pattern, where they hold their inhaled breath for too long," Jeannie Di Bon, a UK-based hypermobility and EDS specialist, told Newsweek.Di Bon, who has EDS, explains that people with the condition often adopt altered breathing patterns as a subconscious way to feel stable. However, this can reduce lung movement, particularly in the lower lungs, creating conditions that increase the risk of infections and complications from illnesses like COVID-19 and pneumonia. Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is marked by distinctive facial features like a thin nose, small earlobes, and prominent eyes, along with fragile, translucent skin that bruises easily. In fair-skinned individuals, veins may be clearly visible. The condition can weaken major arteries, including the aorta, increasing the risk of life-threatening ruptures. It can also affect the uterus and intestines, potentially leading to dangerous tears.Joint pain and dislocations are common in this disorder as the joints that can move far past the normal range of motion.The disorder, caused by weakened connective tissue, can make your skin unusually stretchy. You might be able to lift a section of skin away from your body more than normal, but it will quickly snap back into place. The skin may also feel exceptionally soft and velvety to the touch.It is also noticed that the skin doesn't heal properly as the stitches used to close a wound often tear out and leave a gaping scar.Doctors often use the Beighton score to evaluate joint flexibility, which, when combined with other symptoms and family history, can help suggest the presence of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). The score is based on five simple flexibility tests: bending the pinkie finger backward 90 degrees, touching the thumb to the forearm, hyperextending the elbows and knees by more than 10 degrees, and bending forward to place palms flat on the floor without bending the knees. Each maneuver scores one point per side, except the last, which is a single score.A total score above five in adults (or six in children) indicates hypermobility and could be a reason to consult a medical professional about the possibility of EDS.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Health experts urge govt to mandate dengue reporting
Hyderabad: Health experts are urging the government to establish a mechanism that ensures hospitals report dengue complications. They also suggest that protocol-based treatment should be encouraged through knowledge-sharing between tertiary centres and rural areas to prevent deaths and huge expenditures. As dengue is a seasonal, epidemic disease, complications often require tertiary centre monitoring. From prevention to updating protocol-based treatment, a new approach is urgently needed for this tropical disease. Dr Madap Karuna, a consultant at EMRI Green Health Services, said that since dengue is a tropical disease, the cases may not be the same in Western countries, and therefore they may not have case studies of severe cases. 'There is a WHO protocol where we get to know not much about severe dengue management. The protocols have not been updated for severe cases,' said Dr Karuna. 'The policymakers also should know that the medical field is evolving; there are new diseases. During COVID, everybody was doing research and they gave a lot of options. Now, dengue is also changing patterns, as there are severe complications. Multi-centric studies should be encouraged by policymakers. We should give our data to WHO so that every doctor should know how to tackle it.' The issue doctors face with dengue cases is that patients are often brought to the hospital in a bad state. Doctors said that in this scenario, if there is already a publication or knowledge-sharing of experiences, the feedback can be helpful for patient treatment. The private sector has been making some effort through conferences at a nominal price, but there is no such mechanism from the rural centres, doctors noted. Doctors point out a rise in the number of dengue cases until September-October and therefore want the government to initiate awareness campaigns. Dr Karuna said that dengue has existed for two decades and people should know when to refer a patient, what type of treatment can be provided, etc. Similarly, the cost of treatments is also pushing patients into poverty. 'Once a child is in hospital, it is very difficult to manage,' said Dr Karuna. Senior cardiologist and faculty at the International Training Center at Gandhi Medical College, Dr Vijay Rao, said that while protocols and guidelines do exist in every field of medicine, sometimes it is practical common sense that helps in clinical medicine, especially in developing countries where resources are scarce.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
City doctors blame ‘long Covid' for severe viral infections that have laid Kolkata low
1 2 Kolkata: The pandemic may have ended three years ago but it continues to cast its shadow on the city's healthscape. A past history of 'long or severe' Covid may have led to long-term weakening of respiratory and immune functions, making thousands in the city more vulnerable to recurrent infections, say doctors. Additionally, rapid weather fluctuations, sudden shifts from high humidity to rain, followed by intense heat combined with elevated levels of air pollution are further weakening the body's natural defences, leading to more frequent and severe infections, they say. Most private hospitals are now running at 90% occupancy with a majority of the patients suffering from Influenza A and other viral infections. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata At Woodlands Hospital, around 75% of patients currently being treated for influenza and pneumonia are Covid survivors. "Particularly those who experienced moderate to severe illness have suffered lasting architectural and functional damage in the lungs. When individuals from this group, especially the elderly, come down with flu or pneumonia, their disease tends to be more severe. The risk is further compounded if they have underlying conditions like asthma, COPD, diabetes or a history of smoking," said Dipnarayan Mukherjee, microbiology consultant at the hospital. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses In Chom Thong Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo According to Rajdip Sen, consultant physician at BP Poddar Hospital, post-Covid pulmonary complications are making individuals vulnerable to lower respiratory tract infections. "About 30% of influenza and pneumonia patients here have Covid history. In many of these cases, we are observing increased disease severity, particularly among those who had moderate to severe Covid," he said. Immune dysregulation following Covid may compromise the body's ability to mount an effective defence against common respiratory pathogens, Sen said and added that these patients "often present with a more aggressive clinical course, prolonged hypoxia and delayed recovery, necessitating closer monitoring and in some cases, extended hospitalisation." Charnock Hospital internal medicine consultant Jayanta Dutta said they, too, are receiving a "significant" number of patients with a history of severe Covid, many of them elderly. "It's possible that the elderly have some residual damage like fibrosis that makes them vulnerable to infections now. We have also seen growth in lung diseases like asthma, upper respiratory tract infections and COPD among those who had long Covid. This group remains prone to pneumonia and secondary bacterial infections due to lower immunity," he added. Manipal Hospital Dhakuria has received more than hundred patients with respiratory tract infection over the past 10 days. "Long Covid has left some with lung fibrosis which may have flared up now. Lower resistance induced by Covid and comorbidities could also be a reason in the case of elderly patients. But most severe Covid patients have no trace of lung damage or else this outbreak would have been far worse," said Manipal infectious diseases physician Sayan Chakrabarty. MS Purkait, medical superintendent, Techno India DAMA Hospital said, "If those with prior history of Covid, especially the elderly, develop influenza or pneumonia within a year of Covid, the symptoms are more serious and may require hospitalization. Sometimes, the infections may co-occur, making the treatment complex and prolonged. We are seeing many such cases now."
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Why is 'Fibermaxxing' trending? Viral wellness fad might be worth the hype, but there's one catch
Why This Nutrient Deserves Attention The Best Fiber? It's on Your Plate, Not in a Pill You Might Also Like: Apple vs lemon vs banana: Who wins the healthiest fruit trophy? Science has the answer Oats and whole grains Chia seeds and flaxseeds Lentils, beans, and peas Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables Berries, apples, and pears Nuts and seeds Too Much of a Good Thing? Yes, Even Fiber iStock Fibermaxxing isn't without its caveats. According to Syn, suddenly ramping up fiber intake, especially past 70 grams per day, can lead to digestive discomfort. Fiber and Disease Prevention Is Fibermaxxing Healthy or Hype? If 2024 was all about tracking protein, the latest buzzword in the world of wellness is 'fibermaxxing.' Across TikTok and Instagram, influencers and everyday health enthusiasts are flaunting their high-fiber meals under hashtags like #Fibermaxxing, showcasing colorful bowls brimming with fruits, chia seeds, lentils, and leafy to a report from CNBC Make It, this viral trend marks a notable shift from protein powders and meat-heavy meal plans to plant-based plates aimed at hitting — and sometimes exceeding — the daily recommended fiber intake. But is more always better?According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines, women under 50 should consume 25 to 28 grams of fiber per day, while men in the same age group should aim for 31 to 34 grams. Yet most Americans fall far short, averaging only 10 to 15 grams daily. A 2016 analysis published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine found that only 5% of U.S. adults get enough Syn, a registered dietitian and author of Mostly Plant-Based, explained in an interview with CNBC Make It that fiber is 'kind of becoming the new protein.' Its growing popularity is due to its well-documented benefits: better digestion, enhanced gut health, lower cholesterol, improved blood sugar levels, and even support for weight agree that the most effective (and safe) way to increase fiber intake is through whole foods. Syn advises skipping supplements and instead embracing a more plant-forward diet. Foods high in fiber include:These foods contain both soluble fiber, which helps with heart health and glucose control, and insoluble fiber, which aids in regular bowel movements and prevents constipation. Fibermaxxing isn't without its caveats. According to Syn, suddenly ramping up fiber intake — especially past 70 grams per day — can lead to digestive discomfort. Harvard Health Publishing echoes this, warning that excessive fiber can result in bloating, gas, diarrhea, or cramping if the body isn't eased into the also plays a critical role. Without adequate hydration, even moderate increases in fiber can backfire, causing more harm than good. Experts recommend drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily to support proper digestion when fiber intake goes best approach? Add one new high-fiber food to your routine each week and monitor how your body responds. Gradual incorporation, not radical overhaul, is the key to long-term everyday wellness, fiber also plays a role in disease prevention. Low-fiber diets are linked to higher risks of conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and colon issues such as diverticulosis. In fact, Harvard Medical School notes that incorporating high-fiber foods into each meal can help prevent diverticulitis — a painful inflammation of colon pouches often caused by low fiber strategies include replacing white rice with brown rice or lentils, snacking on nuts and fruit instead of processed foods, and adding vegetables to every meal. Reading food labels for at least 5 grams of fiber per serving is another quick most viral trends, fibermaxxing comes with both promise and pitfalls. The core message — eat more plants, support gut health, stay hydrated — is backed by science. But overdoing it can lead to discomfort and may not suit every body type or Mia Syn puts it, 'There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.' Staying within the recommended fiber range — or slightly above, with professional guidance — is likely safe for most healthy individuals.
