Colonoscopy - what is it and how do you prepare for it?
A colonoscopy is a procedure that enables a doctor to view the large intestine (rectum and colon) from the inside, using a flexible cable equipped with a camera - a colonoscope.
Electronic medical documentation - EMR and EHR systems
Telemedicine and innovative healthcare solutions are conquering the market and becoming more and more common. How do EMR and EHR systems relate to this? Do they affect the patient and their health?
Gastroscopy - what is it and how can you prepare for it?
Gastroscopy - and more specifically esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - is an endoscopic (i.e. inside the body) examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract, which allows for the assessment of the esophageal mucosa, stomach and proximal duodenal segment, and, if necessary, performing procedures in this area.
Gastric and duodenal ulcer
Gastric and duodenal peptic ulcers are the cyclical appearance of peptic ulcers in the stomach or duodenum. Peptic ulcer is a defect of the mucosa accompanied by inflammatory infiltration and necrosis. In most cases, the location of the ulcer is the duodenal bulb and stomach, although they can also occur in the lower esophagus and duodenal loop.
First aid for children and babies - how can you ensure their safety?
Learning basic first aid skills which might save a human life is paramount, and yet often neglected. In unexpected situations, we would give a lot to know how to help a child who is choking, burned, dealing with a nosebleed or loss of consciousness. However, in such cases, the most valuable commodity is time, so it's worth knowing how to behave and how to effectively perform first aid.
How much water should we drink during the day?
Water is extremely important for the proper functioning of our body. Despite the fact that it is the best way to quench your thirst, we often forget about it, focusing instead on calories, protein, fats or vitamins. How much water should you drink per day to prevent dehydration?
MODY: Is diabetes in children always type 1?
When diabetes is diagnosed in adults or children, the question that follows is usually whether it is type 1 or 2? Meanwhile, genetic research has revealed two more types of diabetes: Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA). If you know someone with diabetes or if you yourself have been previously diagnosed, it’s a good idea to check if you or they have the right diagnosis.
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA)
For many years, it was thought that autoimmune diabetes only occurs in children and adolescents. Meanwhile, the increasing access to research has allowed for the distinction of LADA type diabetes. It is characterized by high resemblance to type 1 diabetes but it mainly affects adults. Find out how to recognize and treat it properly.
Glucometers and measurement of glycemic level
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that manifests itself mainly through elevated blood glucose. Regardless of whether we use oral medications or insulin, we should control the level of glycemia using a glucometer. Which device should I choose? What should I look for when measuring blood glucose?
Diagnosis of diabetes
Diabetes is a lifestyle disease that affects more and more people. It develops in secret and does not cause any symptoms for a long time. If left untreated, it leads to serious complications and considerably shortens life expectancy. We should strive to diagnose the disease as early as possible, preferably before the first symptoms occur. The article will tell you what tests to do to be able to quickly diagnose diabetes and take the right treatment.
Gestational diabetes - diagnosis, risk factors, treatment
Gestational diabetes is usually diagnosed between the 24th and the 28th weeks of pregnancy. This diagnosis is always a difficult experience for an expecting mother. What is diabetes in pregnancy, is it dangerous and how do we treat it?
Type 2 diabetes - causes, symptoms and treatment
In the last 50 years, a significant increase in the incidence of diabetes has been noted, in parallel to the increasing obesity crisis. As of 2010, there were 285 million cases of this disease in the world, while in 1985 it was only about 30 million. In Poland, 3 million people have diabetes, but every fourth person has not yet been diagnosed. Find out what the symptoms of diabetes are and what to do to protect yourself from it.
Type 1 diabetes - causes, symptoms and treatment
Diabetes is mainly associated with older people who have never avoided sweet food and drinks. Meanwhile, Type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is a disease that most commonly affects children and young adults. It is considered to be autoimmune because the patient's body attacks its own pancreatic cells. What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and how can we fight it effectively? Can this disease be hereditary?
Telemedicine: consult a doctor without leaving home
In Poland, there are only 2.2 doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, which is the smallest number in the entire European Union. In this situation, the development of telemedicine is not only a trend but a necessary solution. E-consulting is reducing queues and saving time, providing better treatment efficiency and lowering costs. We’d like to help you understand the benefits of telemedicine.
Types of thermometers and their application
A medical thermometer is an indispensable element of every home medicine cabinet. Measuring body temperature correctly greatly facilitates differential diagnoses and is a guide to taking antipyretics (substances which reduce fever). What kinds of thermometers are there? Which thermometer should you choose to find the most reliable measurement?
Fever - what is it and how can we measure it to prescribe medication?
An elevated body temperature is one of the most common symptoms that causes us to feel anxious. We might be even more stressed if our child is feverish. Is every fever dangerous? Find out how to properly measure the temperature and when to administer antipyretics (substances which reduce fever) and at what dosage.
Angina - causes, symptoms and treatment
Angina is usually associated with relatively harmless childhood disease. However, it can also occur in adults and should not be underestimated, because complications as a result of it are sometimes very dangerous. So, it's worth knowing how to recognize angina, what to treat it with and when to go to the doctor.
Flu - symptoms, treatment, complications, vaccinations
Influenza is an acute viral disease that kills thousands of people every year. We often struggle to distinguish it from the common cold or a bacterial infection. What are the symptoms of influenza, how can we treat it and what should you do in order not to get sick in the future?
How can you effectively treat a cold?
Do you feel bad? Do you have a cough? Does your throat hurt? You’re probably suffering from a cold. What is it caused by? How can we distinguish a cold from the flu and when should you go to the doctor?
The scope of TSH and FT4 standards for children and adults
The determination of TSH levels is a basic laboratory test where we check if our thyroid is functioning properly. Thanks to this simple test, both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be detected and treatment can be controlled. That is why it is so important to know the correct norms that differ, e.g. depending on age, sex or clinical condition.
The faecal occult blood test (FOBT) - what is it and how to prepare for it?
Blood in the stool is one of the most common signals that alerts us to the appearance of gastrointestinal disease. However, it is not always visible to the naked eye. In this case, examination of faecal occult feces will be extremely useful.
Examination of faeces for parasites
A faecal examination is recommended in the case of suspected gastrointestinal diseases, such as parasitic diseases, bacterial diseases, stomach ulcers, colon tumors, pancreatic diseases, digestive disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases. It is also a mandatory procedure before starting work, for example in the catering industry. Are any preparations necessary before the examination of feces? How do you get a sample? How many times do you have to do the test to make sure the results are reliable?
24-Hour urine collection - what is it and how do you prepare for it?
A 24-hour urine collection test allows you to assess the balance of fluids in the body and to determine the amount of chemical compounds excreted within 24 hours in the urine. Thanks to it, it is possible to diagnose diseases of the urinary tract and hormonal disorders, e.g. diabetes, parathyroid diseases, thyroid gland or adrenal gland issues. The 24-hour urine collection of urine is also performed during dialysis, in parenteral nutrition, in the case of electrolyte disturbances and when there’s a suspected vitamin D deficiency.
Preparation for general urine testing
The general urine test is one of the most frequently performed laboratory tests. It is very important to properly prepare and correctly collect the sample. So what should you do to ensure the result accurately reflects the state of your health?
Urine culture - what is it and how do you prepare?
Urine culture (bacteriological examination) is not a prophylactic examination. It aims to detect the presence of microorganisms in the urine sample, by propagating them on special media. Thanks to this, it is possible to recognize the type of bacteria or fungi responsible for the development of urinary tract infections. Urine culture is usually performed along with an antibiogram, i.e. a test that determines the sensitivity of given pathogens to antibiotics, and thus allows you to choose the right treatment.
Preparation for laboratory tests (blood and urine) in 10 steps
Since childhood, most of us have done some kind of health related laboratory test. It would seem that we know exactly how to prepare for them. Is it enough to just take a test on an empty stomach? How important is it to properly prepare for the test to get the best results?