The last two days of life of nursing home patients--a nationwide study on causes of death and burdensome symptoms in The Netherlands. Palliat Med 2006; 20:533. Wright AA, Keating NL, Balboni TA, et al. Place of death: correlations with quality of life of patients with cancer and predictors of bereaved caregivers' mental health.
1. Respiratory Health Issues. Downward curved fingernails can indicate a problem with respiratory health, and are often present in people who have medical conditions such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, asthma and lung cancer. Fingernails often curve downwards as a result of lack of oxygen.
Figures. 1  Figure 1 - Extensor tendons, located on the back of the hand and fingers, allow you to straighten your fingers and thumb. 2  Figure 2 - The mallet finger deformity causes a droop of the fingertip. This is caused by injury to the extensor tendon at the last finger joint.