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Tonsillitis 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 tonsillitis, what to treat it with and when to go to the doctor.
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?
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 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.
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.
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?
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.
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 (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.
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?
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