Current Health Articles 2009

Excess Iron (Poisoning, Overload, Toxicity) in Blood

Dr. Pravith — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:26:35 +0000

Hemosiderosis is a chronic iron overload or excess iron levels in body tissues, either throughout the body or only in specific tissues and organs. If this chronic overload begins to cause tissue damage, it is known as hemochromatosis or commonly referred to as iron toxicity. Iron is an abundant element in the human body and in [...]

Stool Analysis and Blood Work Results in Gastrointestinal Disorders

Jan Modric — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:48:28 +0000

Stool Test Stool tests are done to find a cause of unexplained chronic or heavy acute diarrhea, anemia or weight loss. Tests may reveal intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, bowel inflammation (celiac disease or Crohn’s disease), blood in the stool and various substances (fats, reducing substances) that speak for intestinal malabsorption. How to Prepare for a Stool Test? 1-2 weeks before the [...]

Food Allergy and Food Intolerance Tests

Jan Modric — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:55:17 +0000

FOOD ALLERGY TESTS How to prepare for allergy testing? Antihistamine and antidepressant drugs should be stopped 3-5 days before tests for allergy but not without doctor approval. Skin Prick Test A skin prick test is done to confirm allergies to certain foods. A drop of a solution with the suspected food is placed on the forearm and pricked [...]

Sudden, Unilateral Hearing Loss – Deaf in One Ear

Dr. Chris — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:03:14 +0000

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss may vary from mild to severe (deafness) and usually affects only one side (unilateral). This type of hearing loss occurs over a short period, within a few hours or sometimes almost instantaneously. In most cases of sudden loss of hearing, the condition may spontaneously resolve with a partial or complete return [...]

Gallbladder Tests: Ultrasound, CT, HIDA Scan, ERCP

Jan Modric — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:03:25 +0000

Blood Tests in Gallbladder Disease When upper right abdominal pain suggests gallbladder disease or possible obstruction of the common bile duct the following blood tests may be performed: Bilirubin and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase (AP) are often elevated in cases of gallstones in the gallbladder and common bile duct (1) Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanin aminotransferase (ALT) are often elevated [...]

Blood Iron Levels – High, Abnormal, Low Iron in the Blood

Dr. Pravith — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:19:11 +0000

Blood iron disorders involve either the excess, deficiency or abnormal utilization of iron in the blood. In most cases this affects the blood and tissue oxygenation as the red blood cells are responsible for gas exchange between the blood and environment. Red blood cells contain an iron-protein (metalloprotein) compound called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin binds to oxygen or [...]

Colonoscopy – Preparation, Procedure, Pictures, Risks, Cost

Jan Modric — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:08:20 +0000

What Is a Colonoscopy? Colonoscopy (Greek kolon = large intestine; skopein= to watch) is a diagnostic procedure during which a doctor – usually gastroenterologist – inspects the inner lining (mucosa) of your colon and rectum by a flexible viewing tube with a camera and light on the end - colonoscope (Picture 1). Colonoscopy may be done in hospital or an outpatient [...]

Tinnitus – Causes, Symptoms of Ringing Sound in the Ears

Dr. Chris — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:15:03 +0000

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound or noise, usually described as a ringing noise in the ears, in the absence of any external noise source (lack of acoustic stimulus). Tinnitus is often associated with the elderly but can affect younger persons, especially those exposed to excessively loud sounds (music) on a regular basis. In [...]

Stomach Disorders – Available Tests and Investigations

Jan Modric — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:37:50 +0000

Below is the list of tests and investigations that can help in diagnosis of stomach disorders. GENERAL TESTS: Urine tests to evaluate kidney diseases X-ray of abdomen CT of abdomen MRI of abdomen Skin tests for food allergies Elimination diet test in unexplained food intolerances ESOPHAGUS: Upper endoscopy (duodenoscopy) Esophageal manometry Esophageal pHmetry X-ray with barium swallow (”upper GI”) STOMACH: Gastroscopy Urea breath test X-ray with barium swallow DUODENUM and SMALL INTESTINE: Blood [...]

Epistaxis – Causes of Nose Bleed, Bloody Mucus & Bleeding

Dr. Chris — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:44:19 +0000

A nose bleed (nosebleed) is the presence of blood exiting from the nose on its own or in nasal mucus secretions. Often referred to as a ‘bloody nose’, nose bleeds can vary from a few spots of blood when wiping the nose, profuse bleeding through the nasal passages or sneezing blood stained mucus. A bleeding nose [...]