Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Clubbing.
These may include a physical examination or other medical tests.
Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing
your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information
you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
- How long have you noticed clubbing of the fingers (increase in the soft tissue of the distal part of the fingers and toes)?
- Past medical history?
Why: e.g. congenital heart disease and rheumatic heart disease can increase the risk of endocarditis; known cyanotic congenital heart disease; bronchiectasis; cystic fibrosis; Crohn's disease; Ulcerative colitis; Coeliac disease.
- Occupational or other exposure to asbestos?
Why: may indicate asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma as cause of clubbing.
- Family history?
Why: e.g. cystic fibrosis, cyanotic congenital heart disease, thyroid disorders, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis.
- Cigarette smoking
Why: now and in the past? - increases the risk of lung cancer and increases the severity of asbestosis.
- Intravenous drug abuse?
Why: increases risk of subacute endocarditis.
Questions your doctor may ask about related symptoms:
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse
your condition. These may include:
- Blueness of the tongue or lips?
Why: determines presence of cyanosis and thus may suggest cyanotic congenital heart disease and pulmonary arteriovenous aneurysms.
- Cough or shortness of breath?
Why: may suggest a lung condition such as bronchiectasis, chronic interstitial fibrosis, asbestosis, emphysema, lung cancer, lung abscess, cystic fibrosis or tuberculosis.
- Fever?
Why: may suggest empyema (pus in the cavity enclosing the lungs), lung abscess, tuberculosis, subacute bacterial endocarditis.
- Symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
Why: e.g. intolerance to heat, tremor, agitation, weight loss, increased appetite.
» Next page: Types of Clubbing
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