Thursday, 27 November 2014

Cholesterol Screening Test-Purpose and Reasons

Until a decade ago, cancer was the only dreaded c-word in the world of Healthcare, but in recent times, another c-word is hogging the limelight: Cholesterol.

Not many people know that cholesterol is found abundantly in nature. A wax-like substance, cholesterol is fat material that is found in certain foods such as milk, butter, cream, cheese, eggs, and abundantly, in all kinds of meats. When these foods are consumed, the cholesterol in them gets ingested into the human body. Incidentally, the human body also manufactures cholesterol as it’s required to create hormones and other compounds required for good health.

The ticking bomb within begins to tick, when the cholesterol in the body exceeds a certain level. Cholesterol accumulates in the arterial passages, lining the inner walls layer by layer,consequently narrowing the arterial space, through which the blood flows, in other words forming a blockage,and triggering that first heart attack.

That is why, a cholesterol screening test is a must. Unlike other tests which are carried out to observe a particular ailment or its symptoms, a cholesterol test is a purely preventive measure executed to estimate the risk of a heart attack.
Moreover, the lifestyles of the human population in the yester years, in comparison to the last five decades, have had tremendous changes, and hence why it is important to regularly have a cholesterol screening test.

Lifestyle Changes that necessitates a Cholesterol Screening Test

  • Increased consumption of junk food or processed foods that are rich in trans-fats and saturated fats,when ingested become a leading cause for build-up of bad cholesterol
  • People who smoke, despite the anti-smoking campaigns are at risk. Smoking lowers HDL or good cholesterol levels which help flush out the LDL or bad cholesterol - the number one culprit behind heart attacks
  • More women are using birth control pills than before, and these are known to increase cholesterol levels
  • Various drugs that are used to treat different ailments have a tendency to increase cholesterol levels
  • Excessive consumption of red meat vis-à-vis vegetables and fruits, also adds to increased bad cholesterol levels
  • A sedentary lifestyle or desk job reduces the rate at which cholesterol is burned and flushed out from the body, whereupon cholesterol accumulation, begins
  • Genetic factors: Obesity can be inherited; and obese or overweight people are always at a risk, as obese people are more prone to have high levels of ‘bad’ Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a silent killer and as it stealthy augments over time, you don’t know it is lurking within, just waiting to strike. Apart from simple fatigue, no other visible symptoms herald its devastating intentions. That is why, increasingly, doctors and medical insurance companies are mandating a cholesterol test for everybody, including children. Even children are at risk like adults due to the reasons, discussed earlier.Cholesterol screening is a simple test conducted by drawing a vial of one’s blood under specific conditions. Fasting as well as postprandial blood is tested to detect the cholesterol levels. However, under certain circumstance the results will not be accurate when:

  • You have had a major illness, surgery, accident in the last 3 months
  • You are pregnant
  • Your medication contains epinephrine, beta-blockers, steroids, oral contraceptives, or vitamin D supplements

Meridian Medical Group has been at the forefront of affordable and comprehensive Healthcare services, and is very prominent, in the Bay Area. We offer various pathological tests such as cholesterol and diabetes screening tests, diagnostic and surgical services, and consultation for virtually any ailment known today. We have flexible working hours and give you the luxury of same day appointments. Our labs provide quick and efficient services,so your cholesterol screening test will be just that, quick and hassle-free!

Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Diabetes Mellitus: Types, Causes and Symptoms

Diabetes is a very common disorder and is medically referred to as diabetes mellitus. It is characterized by high blood sugar levels, a condition that develops when glucose, consumed in various simple or complex forms of food, fails to be assimilated into the human blood stream. The hormone Insulin that is produced by the body, is either insufficient or dysfunctional and is unable to break down the glucose (blood sugar) in the food ingested.

Insulin converts the sugars, starch and other elements in the food into energy, to empower the body to function. Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the pancreas, a gland located deep inside the abdomen, surrounded by the stomach, spleen, liver, gall bladder and small intestines. Insulin regulates the level of sugar in human blood and prevents either hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar).

There are 2 types of Diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2. As is obvious, insulin is the vital element that differentiates the type of diabetes a patient may have.
Type-1: The human body does not recognize the insulin producing pancreatic cells; treats it as a foreign particle, and tries to destroy it. Since insulin is vital to channeling the sugar in the blood to all the cells of the body for energy, the absence of insulin means, all this sugar accumulates in the blood. The treatment involves taking external or synthesized insulin hence why this form of diabetes is called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is also called juvenile diabetes as it can affect children too. If left untreated, it can severely damage the eyes, kidneys, heart, feet and nervous system and complicate illnesses.

Type-2: Although this is a less severe form of diabetes, if untreated or not properly managed, it can lead to Type 1 diabetes.Insufficient insulin is produced by the body, culminating in glucose accumulating in the blood and if neglected or left untreated, it can similarly affect the eyes, kidneys, heart, feet and nervous system. This type of diabetes is non-insulin dependent and the blood sugar can be regulated with medication, diet and exercise. Borderline diabetic patients can control their blood sugar levels with the right diet and exercise.

Symptoms of Diabetes
  • Fatigue: Feeling unusually more tired
  • Frequent urinationor the urge to do so (even if one doesn’t pass urine)
  • Thirst: Recurring and intense thirst,leading to dehydration
  • Delay in the healing of open cuts, wounds and bruises
  • Skin problems: dry, itchy, flaky and irritable skin
  • Lack of sensation, or a numb feeling in fingers and toes, with a tingling feeling at times
  • Poor vision or blurred vision
  • Problems in sexual health such as impotence, premature ejaculation, inadequate sensation etc
Who is at risk?

While the metabolic causes explained above can happen to anybody, again, some people are more vulnerable to diabetes than others.
  • Heredity: Individuals whose natal family members have diabetes are at risk
  • Body-weight: Anybody whose BMI(Body Mass Index) is more than 25 is regarded as overweight and is at risk
  • Age: Depending on one’s body weight and lifestyle, anybody above 45 years of age can be at risk
  • Race: Some communities like Afro-Americans, Asians, Hispanics and Native American tribes are also more vulnerable
  • Women’s health issues: Pregnant women and women with ailments like polycystic ovarian disease have been known to develop diabetes quickly

Importance of Annually Testing for Diabetes

If your family has a history of diabetes, then it is always wise to be tested for diabetes, regardless of age, so that preventive measures can be adopted. Else, when you hit that four-score mark, it is time to make diabetes testing a part of your regular annual check-ups, again as a precautionary measure.