Medical News & Views from India

Testing for Allergies – Things you must know

While spending some time in a yard filled with flowers can be one of the most soothing experiences for many; it can cause a severe bout of sneezing for few! Again, if by any chance you have a pet at home, you will definitely second the fact that a hug from your pet can wipe off the day’s fatigue, isn’t it? However, no matter how incredible it may appear to you, there are people who suffer from serious skin rashes each time they are in a close proximity with animals.

Again, you may have come across people who count on peanut butter as one item that can turn a meal into a heavenly supper experience. And perhaps for you it can be a nightmare!

Well, definitely it is not those beautiful flowers in your garden or the loving animals at home who are being a little biased with you or anybody with a similar experience. Here, we are talking about one of the greatest medical mysteries – Allergies that relate to your own immune system.

Now, there can be an endless list of things that you may want to know about allergies, their types, causes, treatments and diagnosis. Therefore, without much ado, let us proceed to further sections that may suffice all your queries and perhaps provide you something more!

Allergies – Knowing the “What” and “WHY”

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Weight Loss Surgery

Considering the percentage of Indian population falling below poverty line, it is definitely hard to believe that India, with 41 million obese people, ranks third in obesity; just after US and China!

Now, who and what is to be blamed for landing India into such grave and undesired heights still remains debatable. However, it can be evidently said that it is not the food but our lifestyle along with stress levels that play the culprit.Obesity, although a physical condition that leads to manifold disorders; is in real, one of the greatest causes of mental stress and trauma. Let alone adolescents, adults too go through a phase of extreme low self esteem due to excessive weight that according to them hampers their look or appearance. And again, experts say that this stress they undertake, in turn adds to their already excess weight.

So, get rid of those flabs and not your peace of mind. Losing weight is easier if you start early. Bringing some effective changes in your diet and lifestyle can be sufficient to put off those extras. However, if all of those fail, you still have one resolve to opt for.

Weight loss surgeries can slim you down and shape you up to a much better version of yourself!

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What’s CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?

C – Reactive Protein, abbreviated as CRP is one of the types of acute phase proteins produced by the liver. It is normally absent in blood and is only released in the blood within few hours after the onset of some kind of acute infection, tissue injury, or any other reason that is causing inflammation.

Inflammation experienced on body surface (fever, swelling, redness, etc.) is nothing but a generic response of tissues towards pathogens, injured cells or any other irritant. Inflammation in itself is not a disease or ailment. However, inflammation can suggest the presence of numerous disorders or diseases within the body.

To detect such inflammation and the presence of abnormal CRP content in blood, a CRP blood test is conducted. This test signifies a number of underlying deadly diseases; such as kidney failure, arthritis, pancreatitis, cardiac disorders etc.

Why is it important to opt for a CRP test? Continue reading “What’s CRP (C-Reactive Protein) test?” →

Decoding Pathology Test Results

Pathology – a medical branch that aims at laboratory testing of body tissues and fluids to determine diseases; their causes, nature and relevant treatments.

Pathology reports govern more than half of the treatment procedures and the accuracy of these reports determine the effectiveness of therapies administered. Therefore, careful interpretation of pathological reports is crucial.

How does a pathological report look like?

A pathologist generates a report after blood/urine/tissue or any other body fluid sample testing and analysis. Every lab however has different terms and procedures for writing pathological reports. Continue reading “Decoding Pathology Test Results” →

10 Most Common Diagnostic Tests You Must Know About

Diagnostic tests help in detection and confirmation of the presence or absence of any disease, injury or any other health condition that requires medical attention.

There are thousands of diagnostic tests for various diseases that are being carried out in different diagnostic centers and hospitals every day.

Some of these tests require simple tools and can be performed at a doctor’s clinic. As for example, Common cold diagnostic test is carried out at a doctor’s clinic; where the doctor evaluate a patient’s condition on the basis of chief symptoms reported and relevant health history. Later, the doctor may prescribe other diagnostic procedures if needed. Continue reading “10 Most Common Diagnostic Tests You Must Know About” →

DNA Test – Procedure, Usage and Things You Didn’t Know About!

Why man alone should be known for being the social being on planet? Studies have shown that Chimps are equally social within their group and love spending time with families,friends and neighbors. Now, this brings us to yet another interesting fact. Have you ever noticed that Chimps can walk upright on two legs as easily as us; the Bipedal humans?

Well, its not to demean our human existence; biologically, humans and chimps have more than 98% of DNA similarity! And that’s not all. Humans have 99.9% of DNA similarity with every other human on planet. It is only that 0.1% difference that makes us so distinct and unique in our appearance, traits or personality. Continue reading “DNA Test – Procedure, Usage and Things You Didn’t Know About!” →

Lists of Blood Tests That Require Fasting

Administering a lab test may have ample of instructions to be followed. One such is fasting before sample collection. There are a couple of diagnostic tests that require fasting. A bit of alteration from what has been suggested can account for huge erroneous results. So, when you are asked to remain hungry, it’s better you do it or regret later.

However, why do we need to fast before some tests?

Any intake of food causes a visible change of blood composition. When every organ of our body is working efficiently, these variations settle down after allotted time. Therefore, to understand exact functioning of our body parts, fasting of 10 -12 hours is essential. It ensures that the composition has no external influence and depicts exactly the true functions of organs.

If normal results are obtained, the body is said to be healthy. And, on the other hand, abrupt results call for treatments and precautions. Continue reading “Lists of Blood Tests That Require Fasting” →

HIV Tests in India – Symptoms and Procedure

HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus is one of the deadliest viruses, which when left untreated causes AIDS.

HIV attacks the T cells or CD4 cells in human body. These cells are type of lymphocytes, responsible for maintaining cell mediated immunity in human body. When these cells are considerably damaged by the virus, HIV infected person is said to suffer from AIDS.

Not all HIV infected patients may end up with AIDS. In cases where HIV diagnosis and related treatments are not carried out at an early stage, AIDS becomes inevitable.

In India, thousands of fallacies are associated with HIV conditions. People are not very open to HIV tests. However, it is important to note, that delayed HIV diagnosis may have fatal results. Therefore, opting for tests and diagnosis is the only way to learn about your health condition. Continue reading “HIV Tests in India – Symptoms and Procedure” →

6 Most Useful Health Screening Tests for Women

Life threatening diseases are simply taking a toll on human life. We are all making much hue and cry about diseases that still lack medication and treatment. However, are we doing enough to improve or fight back this unfortunate situation that is prevailing? Perhaps NO.

HIV/AIDS, cancer, osteoporosis or any fatal disease you can think of, perhaps cannot be completely cured. However, getting yourself tested early can help you lead normal lives for many more years to come.

Thus, when researchers and scientists are working on bringing out newer remedies; we can play our small yet significant part, by opting for regular screening tests available with health care centers. Continue reading “6 Most Useful Health Screening Tests for Women” →

Removing Tattoo from Skin – Laser Treatment Method

Tattoos are the coolest fashion statement amongst youngsters. Getting a permanent tattoo on your body can provide you with ample reasons to flaunt it among friends and foes. However, when the same tattoo somehow becomes less loved and unwanted, can you just get it off your skin? The answer is YES.

Lasers can easily erase a permanent tattoo from your skin as though it never existed!

With advancement in technology and arrival of Laser treatments, “permanent” tattoos are no longer as permanent as they once used to be. With minimum to no pain and scar free results, laser treatment is the best option you have to get rid of that annoying tattoo on your skin.

Continue reading “Removing Tattoo from Skin – Laser Treatment Method” →