An accurate diagnosis is essential to cure a sick person. Unfortunately, in order to find out what is wrong with us, we sometimes have to perform a series of diagnostic tests. Some of them we avoid like fire.
- Respond before it’s too late. Get to know your Health Index!
gastroscopy
Although it is not one of the most pleasant tests, its performance allows for early detection of many diseases of the digestive system. The indications for gastroscopy are, among others heartburn, stomach pain, inflammation of the stomach and esophagus, loss of appetite and bloody stools. The examination is performed using an endoscope, a flexible tube with visual tracks that allow the presentation of the image from the inside of the gastrointestinal tract on a color monitor.
During gastroscopy, the patient is most often treated with local anesthesia of the throat. As a result, contrary to popular opinion, this test is not painful, but may cause unpleasant sensations manifested by the gag reflex. When it comes to preparing for gastroscopy, you should not eat eight hours before the examination, and give up drinking, smoking and even chewing gum four hours before the examination. People who are constantly taking medications (for hypertension, heart disease, epilepsy) should take their normal daily dose with a little water. Before the examination, dentures should be removed.
Colonoscopy
While gastroscopy is considered an unpleasant examination, colonoscopy is already a common fear. However, its diagnostic importance cannot be overestimated – if performed once a year, it can reduce the risk of dying from colorectal cancer by up to 60%. The examination consists in inserting into the anus a flexible tube with the thickness of the index finger ended with a camera. The image is automatically visible on the monitor so that the doctor can judge the appearance of the intestinal walls. He can also take a fragment of the noticed lesion for histopathological examination, as well as excise polyps.
Colonoscopy is performed under local anesthesia or anesthesia, and is recommended primarily to people over 50, when there is an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. In the case of genetically burdened people, it is recommended to perform this test after the age of 40 and repeat it at least once every 2 years. The indications for colonoscopy are also: chronic diarrhea and constipation, abdominal pain, bloody and fatty stools, as well as the detection of occult blood in the stool. In order to prepare well for the colonoscopy, the colon should be cleaned. 24-48 hours before the examination, the patient should be on a liquid diet and stop drinking coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks. You should also take laxatives during this time. There are several preparations recommended for use before colonoscopy. A physician should inform us about the necessity of their use. Some centers also use an enema shortly before surgery.
- Colon cancer – an insidious disease that does not give symptoms for a long time
Rectoscopy
It is associated with colonoscopy, but both tests have a different scope. Rectoscopy allows you to see only the anus and rectum and a small fragment of the intestine, and colonoscopy also allows you to see the entire colon. The examination begins with the doctor carefully examining the outside of the rectum and then performing a rectal examination, i.e. a rectal palpation examination. Then, the rectoscope is inserted into the rectum – a device made of a rigid metal tube, enabling precise examination of the mucosa. As a diagnostic tool, rectoscopy is used in suspected colorectal neoplasms, unknown cause iron deficiency anemia or unexplained severe diarrhea.
Like other endoscopic examinations of the digestive system, it is performed only with the use of an anesthetic gel. It usually does not hurt, but the test person may experience discomfort such as distension or bloating. You should switch to a liquid diet for 24-48 hours before rectoscopy. Rectal enema is administered to the patient in the evening on the day before the examination, and again on the day of the examination in the morning. People with artificial heart valves, with a history of endocarditis, with a vascular prosthesis or with a significantly reduced number of white blood cells, are administered an intravenous antibiotic immediately before rectoscopy.
Chest X-ray
It is estimated that about 8 million Poles smoke cigarettes every day, and 60 a year. people die of smoking-related diseases. This is why lung cancer diagnosis scares us so much. A chest x-ray, or x-rays of the chest, is helpful not only for cancer diagnosis, but for pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, and cardiovascular fitness. It is also used to assess the size of the heart and aorta, fluid in the pleural cavities, retrosternal goiter of the thyroid gland or enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum. Chest X-ray is painless, takes several minutes and requires no special preparation.
You just have to remember to inform about the medications you are currently taking when registering, and present your previous radiological test results for the examination. Due to the possible damage to the fetus, the test is not performed in pregnant women. However, if necessary, appropriate safety measures are taken to protect the fetus from exposure to radiation.
- It kills more Poles than colorectal, prostate and breast cancer combined. What do you need to know about lung cancer?
HIV test
Although it is free, anonymous and easily accessible, over 70 percent of Poles have never tested for HIV. On the one hand, we are afraid of diagnosis, and on the other hand, there is still a belief that HIV affects only certain environments – drug addicts, homosexuals, people engaged in prostitution. However, HIV infection can affect anyone – even when you are in a stable relationship, it cannot be ruled out that your partner is infected. Unless, before we start our life together, we do an HIV test and are always faithful to each other. The HIV test involves taking a patient’s blood and testing it for anti-HIV antibodies.
A negative result means that there are no antibodies in the blood and the patient is considered not to be a virus carrier. A positive HIV test result may or may not indicate infection. Therefore, always in the case of a positive HIV test result, a Western blot test is performed, which is aimed at the final confirmation of the infection. You do not need to draw blood again to perform it. HIV testing can be performed at any diagnostic and consultation point (PKD) in the country. You do not need to prepare for it, and you do not need to be on an empty stomach.
Are you considering testing for sexually transmitted diseases? You will find the appropriate package in Medonet Market.
This may interest you:
- The first symptoms of the disease are easy to overlook. How to recognize a sick liver?
- Everything you need to know about the complete blood count
- Sexually transmitted diseases – what tests should be done to rule out them?
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.