Aug. 31, 2023 | Medical tests can help detect a condition, determine a diagnosis, plan treatment, check to see if treatment is working, or monitor the condition over time. A physician may order these tests as part of a routine checkup, to check for certain diseases and disorders, or to monitor your health. For example, an allergy blood test measures a substance called immunoglobulin E, or IgE, in your blood. IgE is an antibody that your body makes. If you have allergies, you may have more IgE in your blood than normal. An allergy blood requires a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. If the results from your test show that you could have a specific allergy, your physician may refer you to an allergy specialist or recommend a treatment plan.

Aug. 31, 2023 | Antibiotics are medications used to fight bacterial infections. There are different types of antibiotics and each type is only effective against certain bacteria. An antibiotic sensitivity test can help find out which antibiotic will be most effective in treating your infection. You may need this test if you have an infection that has been shown to have antibiotic resistance or is otherwise hard to treat. You may also need this test if you have a bacterial or fungal infection that is not responding to standard treatments. Antibiotic resistance can turn once easily treatable diseases into serious, even life-threatening illnesses. The resistance test is done by taking a sample from the infected site. The samples can range from a blood or urine specimen to a throat culture, which involves taking a sample from the back of the throat and tonsils using a special swab. Such testing can determine if a specific antibiotic will be a good choice for treatment and what dosage is necessary.

Aug. 31, 2023 | Concussion tests can help find out if an adult or child has had a concussion after a head injury. A concussion happens when sudden movement causes the brain to bounce around or twist inside the skull. It can be caused by a bump or blow to the head. It may also happen if a hit to the body causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This jolting movement can create chemical changes in the brain. And it can stretch and damage brain cells. There are many types of concussion tests that medical professionals use to help diagnose concussions. They usually include questionnaires that you fill out and tests of mental and physical abilities. Some tests have special versions for children. All concussion tests have scoring systems that help show how much an injury has affected the brain. If concussion testing shows that a head injury has caused a concussion, the treatment is physical and mental rest to help the brain heal.

Aug. 31, 2023 | An EKG, or electrocardiogram test, is a simple, painless, and quick way to record your heart’s electrical activity. Each time your heart beats, an electrical signal travels through your heart. The signal triggers your heart’s four chambers to contract in the proper rhythm so that your heart can pump blood to your body. An EKG recording of these signals looks like wavy lines. Your provider can read these lines to look for abnormal heart activity that may be a sign of heart disease or damage. An EKG only takes a few minutes, with the patient lying on an exam table with electrodes placed on the arms, legs and chest. The patient must lie very still while their heart’s electrical activity is recorded on a computer or printed on paper by an EKG machine. By the way, the reason the test is called an EKG is that its name is based on the German spelling of the term. EKG may be preferred over ECG to avoid confusion with an EEG, a test that measures brain waves.

Aug. 31, 2023 | A heavy metal blood test has nothing to do with a patient’s taste in music. Heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic and chromium are found naturally in the environment. They’re also found in certain medicines, supplements, and foods. And chemicals used in industry and farming may contain heavy metals, which can end up in the air, soil, and water. Heavy metal poisoning can lead to organ damage, behavioral changes, or difficulties with thinking and memory. The symptoms of heavy metal poisoning depend on the type of metal, how much is in your body and your age. Children and unborn babies have the highest risk for serious, long-term health problems from heavy metals. Your doctor may order a heavy metal blood test if you had a possible exposure to heavy metal or if you have symptoms of heavy metal poisoning. If your job involves heavy metals, your employer may require regular testing to help monitor workplace safety.