Skin Test For Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers are working on a new test to help detect Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. The skin test is being worked on by folks at the Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center. The concept behind the new test is this: Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t only affect the brain. The disease has an impact on the entire body. The new skin test for Alzheimer’s looks at two different enzymes that affect proteins in the brain. These proteins are typically found in people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease; the enzymes are out of balance in the body … Continue reading

Alternatives to Colonoscopy

If your doctor has ordered a colonoscopy, you may be wondering what other choices you have. A colonoscopy really is the best test out there for detecting and treating problems in the colon. But there are some other options before going for a full colonoscopy. Barium enema — a test performed with an x-ray. This test is less accurate than a colonoscopy, often missing or misdiagnosing lesions. An abnormality detected with a barium enema may actually be residual waste in an incompletely cleansed colon. You may end up needing a colonoscopy anyway to clarify the results. Flexible sigmoidoscopy — a … Continue reading

Preparing For A Colonoscopy

Depending on who you ask, preparing for your colonoscopy can be harder than undergoing the procedure itself! Your gastroenterologist will give you specific instructions for cleaning out your colon in advance. If your colon is not clear enough, your doctor won’t get an accurate look inside, and you’ll have to go through everything again. Clearing things out means a liquid diet for as many as three days before your test. Most doctors will only ask you to take clear liquids for a day or so. Your diet may include bouillon or broth, water, coffee or tea without milk, diet soda, … Continue reading

Colonoscopy

Do you know what (and where) your colon is? Also known as your large bowel, the colon is the end section of your digestive tract. It is a hollow tube that connects the end of the small intestine to the rectum. Your colon is around five feet long, and is used to store waste and absorb water before the waste is eliminated as stool. A colonoscopy gives your doctor or gastroenterologist a chance to look inside your large bowel. The doctor will check for inflammation, ulcers and lesions, and abnormal growths. This test is most often used to check for … Continue reading

What is a Stress Test?

If your doctor orders a stress test, you may be wondering what you’re headed for. A stress test — also known as a treadmill test or an exercise test — helps your doctor see how your heart handles work. Your body is put to work on the treadmill, so your heart will pump more blood and your body will use more oxygen. Don’t stress about your stress test! You will be hooked up to equipment that will monitor your heart — your heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiogram will be monitored. The medical folks will also keep an eye on … Continue reading

What Is A Holter Monitor?

When I was first experiencing stress-related body issues, my doctor ordered an EKG. The electrocardiogram didn’t show anything abnormal, so my doctor ordered a twenty-four hour test called a Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is also known as an ambulatory electrocardiogram — it watches the electrical activity of your heart during your usual daily routine. The advantage of a longer test is that it has a better chance of detecting any abnormal heart activity during your day. Any heart problems may not show up during an EKG in the doctor’s office. Some people ONLY experience heart problems during certain activities, … Continue reading

What Is An EKG?

One of the things my body does when I’m feeling stressed is make me more aware of my heartbeat. It feels like my heart is thumping really hard! The first time I experienced the thumping sensation, I was in college. It was kind of frightening to feel like my heart was beating hard when I hadn’t been exercising or doing anything at all! My doctor ordered and EKG to see what was going on in there. An EKG (or ECG) is an electrocardiogram — a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. With every beat of your heart, … Continue reading

Why Do I Need An MRI?

Has your doctor ordered an MRI? You may be wondering why that particular test, over some other scan, like an x-ray or a CAT scan. Magnetic resonance imaging gives an amazing view inside the human body. No other kind of imaging can give the high level of detail that an MRI can. The MRI scanner can take different pictures depending on what your doctor is looking for. MRI systems can even take pictures of blood flowing through the body! If your doctor needs detailed pictures of soft tissue like muscles, nerves, and even your brain, an MRI is the way … Continue reading

What Is An MRI?

I live with and am one of the primary caretakers for my 80 year old grandmother, who — among other health issues — has been experiencing memory problems. Her general practitioner wanted her to get an MRI. She refused, saying she was too claustrophobic. Recently, she has been having headaches and neck pain, and another doctor asked her to get an MRI, suspecting nerve damage. Again, she refused. Hoping that logic and information would succeed where her doctors’ requests have failed, I started to do some research. MRI is an abbreviation for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a way of … Continue reading