MEDICAL TESTS EVERY WOMAN SHOULD UNDERGO......Article II

A Release From Lolafemi Clinics & Maternity Ltd.

Medical screening tests are a great way to stay on top of your health. Woman are 100 percent more likely to see a doctor for examinations, screenings and preventive health consults even though they are less likely to die from one of the top 10 causes of death. These visits can also reveal dangerous cancers early enough to save lives. To help make it simple, here is a list of the most important medical tests every woman should undergo:

HIV SCREENING

Worried you might been exposed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) the virus that cause AIDS? It is important to get tested as soon as possible. Knowing your status can help you take precautions so you don’t pass the virus to others. If you have several sexual partners, unprotected sex, used injected drugs or steroid or shared needles, have had any sexually transmitted diseases, then you need this test all the more.

BASIC BLOOD TEST

Blood level (pack cell volume-PCV) is important to know your blood count, haemoglobin levels and number of white blood cells. Such test can be done to review overall health, diagnose and monitor medical condition and monitor medical treatment. It could also reveal any nutrition deficiency like vitamin B12 or D3. Blood sugar test (random blood sugar, blood sugar level, fasting blood sugar or glucose test) – measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood sample. This rules out diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by high blood sugars that greatly increase your risk of heart disease and other complications such as kidney damage. Annual glucose testing serves as the best method of diagnosing diabetes before it get too advanced.

MALARIA PARASITE TEST

Since we live in a region where mosquitoes are present, a blood test that can diagnose malaria rapidly is necessary because malaria accounts for major loss in manpower (people failed to attend duty while sick). Not only does malaria affect women, it’s also a major illness among growing children.

BLOOD GROUP AND HEAMOGLBIN GENOTYPE

This test is important especially preceding a marriage (avoid blind love). This test is necessary to prevent a couple from having offspring with sickle cell (SS) disease.

CHEST X-RAY

This test produces images of the heart, lungs blood vessels, airways and bones of the chest and spine. It can also reveal fluids in or around the lungs. Chest X-ray is a common way to diagnose disease as chest pain, chest injury or shortness of breath. Also heart problem, collapsed lung, pneumonia, broken ribs, cancer or any of several other conditions are revealed thought this means.

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart, reveals causes of symptoms of heart disease.

LIPID PROFILE/CHOLESTEROL SCREENING

Cholesterol is a type of fatty protein in the blood that can build up in the arteries. So, knowing how much cholesterol is present is a good predictor of one’s risk of heart disease. And women need to pay attention to it because they tend to rise after menopause. One of the most effective ways to track heart disease risk is by checking cholesterol levels. Elevated cholesterol not only raises the odds of a heart attack and stroke but also has been linked to gallbladder disease. Many deadly cardiac risk factors are revealed with simple cholesterol testing and blood pressure monitoring as well as weight management.

But if there is a family history of cardiac disease or known elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure, echocardiograms or cardiac stress tests can ensure that there is no significant heart damage.

URINALYSIS

Also known as urine test or urine analysis it’s used as screening tool to detect substances or cellular material in the urine associated with different metabolic and kidney disorders. Often substance such as protein or glucose will begin to appear in the urine before people are aware that they have a problem. It detects urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other disorders of the urinary tract. This test may also be part of a wellness exam.

STOOL CULTURE (ANALYSIS)

It can reveal what bacteria, viruses, parasite or fungi maybe causing an infection. It reveals the cause of symptom, identifies certain types of organism causing infections or diseases, identifies persons who may have any symptoms of disease, but who carry bacteria that can spread infections to others and indicates whether treatment for infection has worked as it should.

ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND

Is a type of imaging test used to examine organs in the abdomen including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas and kidneys. The blood vessels leading to some of these organs can also be looked at with ultrasound.

The ultrasound machine makes images of organs and structures inside the body. The test reveals cause of abdominal pain, kidney infections, hernia and monitors tumors and cancers.

BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL CHECK 

High blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke in men, and it is very serious if left unmanaged. High cholesterol can also lead to serious cardiovascular problems like heart attack or stroke. Men who are 20 and over should have their cholesterol checked every three to five years and then yearly after the age of 50.

LIVER FUNCTION TEST        

Helps determine the health of your liver by measuring levels of proteins, enzymes or bilirubin in the blood. Problems with the liver can make a person very sick and can lead to death. Liver performs a number of vital bodily functions such as removing contaminants from the blood, regulating blood clotting, maintaining hormone balances among other functions.

PHYSICAL BREAST EXAM

Checking the breasts for lumps, thickening, skin changes and nipple discharge is the best way to be vigilant about preventing breast cancer. You can do this at home in the shower but doctors also recommend having breast checks performed by an expert as well. Experts recommend home breast exams once a month and best after monthly periods when the breast aren’t as tender or sore.

CLINICAL BREAST EXAM AND MAMMOGRAM

 Both types of screening can detect breast cancer when it is confined to the breast. 97 percent of women diagnosed at this stage survive without a recurrence for at least five years. Starting from age 20, a doctor should manually examine the breasts at regular checkups and by age 40, a mammogram (an x-ray of the breast) once a year.

PAP SMEAR AND PELVIC EXAM

 Cervical cancer remains the second leading cause of death from cancer for women worldwide, and the Pap smear remains the preventive screening test of choice. A pelvic exam is a way for doctors to look for signs of illness in certain organs in a woman’s body. The word “pelvic” refers to the pelvis. The exam is used to look at a woman’s Pelvis.

VDRL TEST

 The Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is a screening test for syphilis. It measures substances called anti-bodies, which your body may produce if you have come in contact with the bacteria that cause syphilis. This bacteria is called Treponema pallidum. The test is usually done using a blood sample. It can also be done using a sample of spinal fluid. This test is used to screen for syphilis. Syphilis screening is a routine part of prenatal care during pregnancy.

Several states also require screening for syphilis prior to obtaining a marriage license.

For pregnant women, it is important that such women register with a good health facility, attend antenatal care regularly, do the ANC (Antenatal Care) profile tests and deliver in a well-equipped and staffed centre.

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