Lump on Top of Head for Years, Suddenly Getting Bigger
You’ve had this lump on the top of your head for years and have thought nothing of it—until recently because it’s suddenly getting bigger. (more…)
Can an HIV Infection Cause Dark Urine?
Dark urine has many causes, and even what “dark urine” actually means is open to interpretation.
With HIV infections on the rise, the worry over dark pee as a possible symptom is also gaining momentum. (more…)
What Twitching Between Thumb and Index Finger Means
Did you read somewhere that ALS causes muscle twitching & are now freaking out because you’re twitching between your thumb and index finger?
Twitches Between Thumb & Index Finger: Uncommon Area for Fasciculations
“Twitching between the thumb and index finger, or anywhere else for that matter, is often a sign of stress,” says Walter Gaman, MD, FABFM, board certified in family medicine and the author of several award-winning books including “Age to Perfection: How to Thrive to 100, Happy, Healthy, and Wise.”
“This stress can be mental or physical, but is most definitely real,” says Dr. Gaman, who is board certified in family medicine.
Can twitching between the thumb and index finger ever mean ALS?
“Twitching in the hands may be a symptom of a more serious condition such as ALS or MS, but is not a diagnostic sign of these conditions,” says Dr. Gaman.
Source: vecteezy.com
“Someone who experiences twitching between the thumb and index finger, but no other symptoms such as muscle weakness or fatigue, should not be concerned about these conditions.
“Worrying about serious conditions such as this can cause stress and make the problem worse.”
When the fear of ALS becomes consuming, people are inclined to conduct strength tests for the muscle area in question.
For the thumb and index finger, they may find themselves spending large amounts of time testing the strength via activities such as unscrewing tight jar lids, picking up bowling balls, picking up thick books at the binder with just their fingertips, or doing fingertip pushups – anything that engages the thumb and index finger.
Depositphotos.com
And “passing” a strength test is never enough. The anxious individual is satisfied for the moment, but soon after is driven to conduct the same test “just to be sure,” or another one that’s more difficult.
If they’re in really bad mental shape about this, they may unknowingly set themselves up for what’s known as perceived weakness by giving themselves a strength test that’s too hard to pass. als
An example might be that of picking up a standard-size brick, with just the fingers of the affected hand – and not being able to do it.
They’ll attempt this with the other hand (the one without the twitching) and will fail as well – but their mind will play tricks on them. als
They’ll think that, despite failing to pick up the brick, that it wasn’t as difficult as with the twitching hand. They will then interpret this as a sign of ALS or MS.
DO NOT LET YOUR MIND PLAY TRICKS ON YOU.
How to Make Twitching Between the Thumb and Index Finger Calm Down
Dr. Gaman explains, “Reducing stress and resting can help relieve twitching symptoms.
“The body can also become stressed during times of dehydration when the electrolytes become imbalanced.
“Proper hydration and replenishing electrolytes can help solve the problem.
“Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies can also cause twitching between the thumb and index finger or in other places.
“Identifying and correcting these deficiencies [e.g., magnesium supplementation] should resolve the problem if this is the cause.
“If twitching worsens or is not resolved with simple measures like hydration, rest and a good multi-vitamin, seek the opinion of your healthcare provider.”
Dr. Gaman is with Executive Medicine of Texas and is with the Staying Young Radio Show 2.0 podcast.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Lotus_studio
Dents in Thenar Palm Area: Atrophy or Normal Asymmetry?
When you look at your thenar palm area (right below the thumb) do you see dents that are suggestive of muscle atrophy? (more…)
Young Adult Getting Tons of Moles in a Short Period?
If a teen or young adult gets a bunch of moles in only a short period of time, is this predictive of future melanoma?
Or perhaps some of those new moles ARE melanoma? (more…)
Why Does A Mole Biopsy Sometimes Miss Melanoma?
Isn’t it frightening to read of a case in which a biopsy incorrectly labeled a mole as benign, and it later turned out to be a missed melanoma?
This happens. (more…)
Melanoma Risk from Childhood Sunburns vs. Basal Cell Carcinoma
So which is a greater risk for melanoma: childhood sunburns or adult basal cell carcinoma?
You’re probably aware that that blistering sunburns in childhood are thought to double a person’s individual risk for melanoma. (more…)
Can Melanoma in a Nail Be Green?
You know that melanoma can indeed grow “in a nail” and cause a dark streak, but can this band of cancer ever be green?
Or how about mostly brown or black with a little bit of green in it?
Melanoma doesn’t actually grow IN a nail. It grows on the tissue beneath the nail: the nail matrix. This can affect the fingers or the toes.
When the tumor gets big enough, it will be visible through the nail. The nail itself is actually dead and cannot support growth of anything.
The matrix (nail bed) is alive and can be the site of melanoma, though this is a rare form of the disease.
This cancer is prolific at spreading to the lungs, liver and brain if not caught in time.
It can occur in both fingernails and toenails and usually presents as a brown to black streak, band or line that runs the length of the nail. Sometimes the discoloration looks more like a dark smudge or smear rather than of a linear shape.
Melanoma in a Nail Appearing Green?
“Green discoloration under a nail is usually a symptom of a bacterial infection called Pseudomonas,” says Allison Arthur, MD, FAAD, board certified dermatologist with Sand Lake Dermatology Center in
Orlando, FL.
“This can develop in people whose nails have prolonged exposure to water or have had a traumatic nail injury,” continues Dr. Arthur.
“Dermatologists refer to this condition as ‘green nail syndrome.’
“I have never seen a melanoma cause green discoloration in a nail, but if your dermatologist has any suspicion for melanoma when they examine the area, a biopsy must be done.”
Dr. Arthur is a Mayo Clinic-trained dermatologist and dermopathologist who cares for patients of all ages, providing skin cancer and other medical/surgical treatments, plus cosmetic treatments.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Koldunova Anna
Hair Loss from Stress vs. Aging: How to Tell Difference
Is there a way a doctor can tell the difference between hair loss from stress and from aging?
Chronic stress can definitely cause hair to fall out. The aging process as well is notorious for causing hair loss.
Is it possible, then, to determine if one’s hair loss is from getting older as opposed to stress and anxiety?
“Yes; when the body is under stress, whether due to illness, a surgery, changes in hormones, medications or severe psychological stress such as the loss of a loved one, it’s not the body’s top priority to grow hair,” explains Allison Arthur, MD, FAAD, board certified dermatologist with Sand Lake Dermatology Center in Orlando, FL.
“This can result in a condition called telogen effluvium, where some of the hair follicles flip into a resting phase and stop growing new hairs,” says Dr. Arthur.
“Patients with telogen effluvium typically report a sudden increase in shedding—losing more hairs than usual when showering or styling their hair—and thinning all over the scalp.
“The good news is that telogen effluvium is usually temporary, and eventually those hair follicles will turn back on and start growing new hairs after the stresser has resolved.”
There are several things you can do while undergoing prolonged stress to help put a damper on hair loss.
• When putting in a ponytail, gently pull the hair through the fastener rather than yanking it through.
• When taking out a ponytail, snip the fastener with a toenail clippers (make sure no stray strands get caught up in the snipping) and gently extract the fastener. Otherwise, pulling off a fastener will surely pull some hairs with it.
• Obviously you’ll need a ready supply of fasteners on hand.
• After washing your hair, gently detangle with your fingers rather than with a comb or brush.
• When your scalp itches, don’t scratch with a fingernail, as this can rip strands out of their follicles. Instead, press a fingertip to the itching area and briefly massage.
“Senescent alopecia, or age-related thinning, progresses slowly with subtle decreases in hair density over time,” says Dr. Arthur.
“Patients with senescent alopecia do not report sudden onset of excessive hair shedding.”
Dr. Arthur is a Mayo Clinic-trained dermatologist and dermopathologist who cares for patients of all ages, providing skin cancer and other medical/surgical treatments, plus cosmetic treatments.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
If a Scratched Mole Bleeds, Does this Mean Melanoma?
It is nothing short of unnerving to casually scratch a mole and then see it bleed.
The scratching may not even be intended for the mole, but the mole just happens to be in the path of your fingernail. (more…)
