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Everything to Know About ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test

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  The immune system makes antibodies to fight infection, viruses, bacteria, etc. However, sometimes the immune system incorrectly identifies the person’s cells as foreign invaders and attacks them. It makes autoantibodies, a special antibody that damages cells and tissues in the body. If left untreated, autoantibodies can damage skin, joints, muscles, and many other parts of the body. The  ANA test  is used to look for autoantibodies or antinuclear antibodies in the blood. It helps doctors to detect some autoimmune diseases. Here is more about the ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) test. Why the ANA Test is Done? The ANA test is used for detecting any autoimmune disorders in a person’s body. It helps in the identification of diverse conditions, like: Scleroderma – It is a rare disease affecting the blood, skin, organs, and vessels.  Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) – It is a common type of Lupus – a chronic disease affecting diverse parts of the body such as the heart, l...

4 Common Medical Conditions Related to Hormonal Imbalance

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  Hormones are supervisory agents that send vital signals to our organs, skin, tissues, and muscles through the blood. When there is an excess or lack of hormones in our body, it results in a hormonal imbalance. This imbalance can disturb major processes such as metabolism and reproduction, which may cause different hormone-related conditions. Following are the 4 common medical conditions related to hormonal imbalance: PCOS Polycystic ovary syndrome is now a common hormonal issue in which the level of androgens in the body increases. PCOS usually causes menstrual irregularities due to enlarged ovaries, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity. If an individual exhibits symptoms of PCOS, then a well- price d thyroid test from a reputed pathology center is recommended. Thyroid Disease There are two main types of thyroid disease: one is hypothyroidism, where the body produces insufficient thyroid hormone. The other is hyperthyroidism, where the body produces more than sufficient thyr...

Importance of Regular Health Check Ups

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  As part of preventative health care, routine health check-ups are done to evaluate a person’s health. It includes a series of physical exams and tests that can help the person identify the specific parts or organs in the body that need immediate or more attention for better health and wellness. Regular health check-ups are a great way to avoid any disease from developing and ensure good health throughout life. With full-body  health check-up packages  that include tests for cholesterol, heart diseases, diabetes, and blood pressure, one can save extra medical expenses in the long run. Here are some of the best reasons why regular health check-up is vital for everyone.  Detection of Life-Threatening Issues Early Routine health check-up is vital for avoiding, preventing, and managing health problems in their early stages. It helps doctors spot any signs and symptoms of serious diseases that the patients may not be aware of. With screenings and further tests, doctors c...

D-Dimer Test: Everything You Need to Know

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What is the D-Dimer Test? The D-dimer test  is a blood test suggested by the doctor to determine the amount of D-dimer protein in the body that is usually produced to break down blood clots. When D-dimer levels are very low in the body, they can go undetected and can only be identified if the human body forms and breaks down a significant amount of blood clots. D-dimer testing is part of diagnosing or monitoring blood clotting problems. The human body forms a blood clot when any blood vessel is damaged due to injury, restricted blood flow, or atherosclerosis. Why a Person Needs a D-Dimer Test? A D-dimer test is recommended for a person when the doctor wants to know if the patient has blood clotting problems. Some of the blood clotting problems that may exist in a person are: Deep vein thrombosis Pulmonary embolism Blood Coagulation Disseminated intravascular coagulation The D-dimer test is also recommended by the medical practitioner as part of ongoing treatment. How is D-Dimer Tes...

Typhoid Fever - Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

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  Spread through a type of bacteria known as Salmonella typhi, typhoid is an enteric fever prevalent in regions with poor sanitation. It causes by contaminated water and food, with its symptoms exhibited gradually. It is recommended to get a widal test done to determine the presence of O and H agglutinins in an individual’s bloodstream. Read on to learn more about typhoid fever:  Symptoms  The signs of typhoid fever are developed gradually. Thus, it is difficult to make an immediate diagnosis of this disease. People who have typhoid show early illness symptoms if they experience high fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, excessive sweating, loss of appetite, acute abdominal pain and rashes. Those who have moved on to the more advanced stage tend to become delirious and feel exhausted with difficulty in making the slightest of movements. In the worst-case scenarios, internal bleeding and perforations in the intestines may develop by the third week of typhoid fever....

When Do Doctors Prescribe the D-Dimer Test?

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  A D-dimer test can help doctors to determine the level of D-dimer protein in one's body. D-dimer is often undetectable at extremely low levels until one’s body develops and breaks down significant blood clots. A D-Dimer test can help identify if an individual has a blood clotting problem. However, it is not a clear indicator of the condition. A D-dimer test cannot tell you what kind of clotting condition you have or where the clotting is happening in your body. If there are high D-dimer levels in your blood, your doctor may do additional blood tests to reach a final diagnosis. The D-Dimer test is usually prescribed when a doctor suspects these conditions: Pulmonary embolism (PE) Pulmonary embolism can develop when a clot forms near the arteries of the lungs. It commonly happens when a blood clot gets stuck in another organ escapes and travels to the lungs. DVT clots are the most common cause of PE. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolism include: Dyspnoea, fast breathing, or sh...

Things to Know About 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D Blood Test

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  Vitamin D is crucial for bone health, immunity, and overall wellness. It protects the body from different diseases and health conditions. Through the liver, Vitamin D is usually converted into a chemical known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D or calcitriol before the body can use it. The level or amount of 25-hydroxy vitamin D in the blood shows how much vitamin D is present in the body. The  25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test   is done to check or monitor vitamin D levels. Here is everything you should know about this test. When should you get a 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test? The test is ordered to check whether too little or too much vitamin D is causing any issues like bone weakness, seizures, and other abnormalities in the body. Generally, doctors prescribe the hydroxy vitamin d blood test if they suspect a person is at risk of vitamin D deficiency. The symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are: Bone pain Weakening of the bones Bone deformity Abnormal bone development Seizures Musc...