The human body is so complex. A thumb rule cannot be applied to determine its well-being and sickness. There is no standard point that can tell about human health just by looking at it. Then the question arises that how to inquire about the status of health.
Moreover, How to know about the precautionary measures needed to take care of health.
To solve this problem, medical science is all ready to help. Now screening tests are used for evaluating the current status of human health. Now the next question is about knowing the tests that could be helpful and purposeful.
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| Do not do self-diagnosis. Adoption of a proper channel is beneficial for health. |
List of screening tests for early diagnosis
The list of basic screening tests is as follows :
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Liver function tests (LFTs)
- Renal function tests (RFTs)
- Urine complete examination (Urinalysis)
- Blood sugar level test (BSL)
- Lipid profile tests (Cholesterol test)
- Fecal occult blood test (Stool test)
- Pap smear test
- Mammography
- Colonoscopy
- The prostate-specific antigen test
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| A stitch in time saves nine. |
Complete blood count (CBC)
This examination is meant to detect any problem or abnormalities in blood cells. Blood is a connective tissue consisting of different kinds of cells. These cells are usually known as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. CBC is helpful to check whether the number of these cells is within range or not. It also shows what is the level of oxygen-carrying pigment namely hemoglobin in the blood.
Blood is circulating in the whole body. This test tells the overall condition of human blood. It shows if hemoglobin is lesser than normal and other blood parameters are also disturbed. It can point to a health condition known as Anemia.
In anemia deficiency of oxygen-carrying pigment is reported. It also indicates the status of infection, allergic reactions, and inflammatory processes in the body. This test is quite a basic test that must be considered for screening.
Liver function tests LFTs
This set of tests is done to check the functioning of the Liver. LFTs are done by taking blood samples. They are used to monitor the level of Bilirubin in blood. Enzymes are necessary for the liver to work properly. It also helps to check those enzymes. Liver functions by detoxifying the toxic materials in the body. It keeps the body safe from harmful components. Bilirubin has a set value that shows its normalcy. If by any chance, the liver is not working properly, the value of Bilirubin can increase by the normal range. We know that metabolism is controlled by the Liver. The overall metabolism of the body would decrease.
Renal function tests (RFTs)
This set of tests is done to evaluate the functioning of the kidneys. RFTs are used to monitor the level of blood urea and creatinine. If any of these is above or below the normal level, it shows that something is wrong with the kidneys. This can lead to kidney problems and eventually chronic kidney disease. Kidney disease puts a lot of negative effects on the whole body. The sample used for these tests is blood.
Urine complete examination urinalysis
This test is a microscopic examination of urine samples. It is done to detect the presence of bacteria, blood, pus cells, and crystals. This test also comes under the category of basic screening tests. It helps to understand the status of the urinary tract. It can help to prevent urinary tract infections through proper diagnosis and treatment.
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| A microscope can see where our vision fails! |
Blood sugar level BSL
This test is used to determine the level of glucose in the blood. If the level of glucose is higher or lower than normal values, it can lead to serious ailments. If the blood sugar level is low it would affect the body negatively. On the other hand, if the glucose level is higher than normal it may shift the person toward a diabetic or prediabetic condition. Diabetes is a serious kind of illness and it affects overall health. It should be checked for people who have a family history of diabetes. This test is helpful for those people who have unhealthy diet routines. Moreover, people who are obese or have a high BMI should be considered for this screening. Blood sugar level screening is really helpful for the early detection of diabetes. It helps the patients manage it without medication.
Lipid profile tests
Cholesterol is a waxy material. It is used in the production of cell membranes and vitamin D. It is also important for the production of certain types of hormones. There are two types of cholesterol generally known as good cholesterol and bad cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins are called good cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is the second name for low-density Lipoproteins.
People with high cholesterol levels are more sensitive to cardiovascular diseases. They should be more careful about their diet and lifestyle.
People with a family history of cardiovascular diseases and high cholesterol levels should be especially careful. They must go for screening at least once a year. If any change in normal values is detected at an earlier stage it is easier to control it through diet and lifestyle changes. The ratio of heart issues is higher in males than in females. It is recommended for men with a family history of heart issues to get checked once they reach the age of twenty years. This test is also done by blood sample.
Fecal occult blood test
In civilized and developed countries, a major percentage of their population goes for this test two times a year. It is useful for detecting problems in the colon and rectum. Many types of cancers involving the colon and rectum are diagnosed by this test. A stool test is used to indicate the presence of blood, and pus cells. It also shows any abnormal matter that is not supposed to be in the body. The sample for this test is stool.
Pap smear test
A Pap smear test is helpful for females who are sexually mature and have no visible symptoms of some reproductive system illness. This test is conducted by taking a sample from the cervix.
The cervix the lower part of the female genital organ, uterus is checked for any cellular changes that may lead to cancer of reproductive organs. It must be clear that a positive smear is not always indicative of cancer. A positive smear can be due to some infections. However, it helps females to know about the cervix’s health.
Mammography
Breast cancer is a deadly disease and a higher ratio of women become positive annually. Fortunately, it can be cured if detected earlier. This test is done by a physician along with a physical examination of breasts. It is recommended for women to go for mammography at least once a year. By doing this they rule out the risks. This test helps them to have an idea about breast health.
Colonoscopy
Colon polyps and colon cancer can be detected by this test. It is becoming a routine test for most of the population to get checked for colon health. It is done with a microscopic camera. This procedure is usually considered to be painless.
The prostate-specific antigen test
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of illness in men. This is detected earlier if the test is run by using a specific antigen. By this test presence of specific prostate antibodies are monitored. If specific antibodies are not within normal range, it is recommended to discuss them with a doctor. However, this test has a specific set of pros and cons. It is okay to discuss it first-hand with the doctor.
Bottom line
These tests are not for final diagnosis. They can be mismanaged or give unexpected results. Anyhow, they can be used as the first line of diagnosis if someone is facing a few clinical symptoms.
These tests can be a reassurance for someone who has health anxiety. Negative results of these tests would bring him/her peace of mind. It should be kept in mind that these are not hundred percent accurate yet these are applicable and can lead in a certain direction. It is good to go through these evaluations after a certain period as nothing is above good health.
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| A soft reminder! |
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