diagnostic exams

Fasting glucose, or fasting glucose, is a blood test that measures the rate of glucose in the bloodstream and needs to be done after a fasting of 8 to 12 hours without consuming any food or drink except water . This test is widely used to investigate the diagnosis of diabetes, and to monitor the blood sugar levels of people who are diabetic or at risk for this disease

Orthopantomography, also known as panoramic x-ray of the jaw and jaw, is an examination that shows all the bones of the mouth and its joints, in addition to all teeth, even those not yet born. Although it is more commonly used to identify crooked teeth and plan the use of devices, this type of x-ray also serves to assess the bone's constitution of the teeth and their disposition, allowing to identify more serious problems such as fractures, including teeth, infections and even some tumors, for example

Visual campimetry is done with the patient sitting and with his face glued to the meter, called a field meter, which emits points of light in different places and with different intensities in the patient's field of vision. During the test, a light at the bottom of the device is emitted so that the patient keeps the vision focused on it

The ophthalmologic examination is a test used to evaluate the eyes, eyelids and tear ducts in order to investigate eye diseases, such as glaucoma or cataract, for example. Usually, the visual acuity test is performed, but other more specific tests can be done, such as evaluation of eye movements or eye pressure, and usually includes the use of specific machines or instruments, causing no pain and not requiring pain

To know if you have glaucoma you should go to the ophthalmologist to perform tests that can identify if the pressure inside the eye is high, which is what characterizes the disease. Usually, glaucoma screening is done when there are signs of suspected glaucoma such as changes in routine eye examination, for example, but can also be used in patients at risk of developing glaucoma, especially when there is a history of the disease in the family

The pharmacy pregnancy test can be done from the 1st day of the delay of the menstruation, and the blood test to know if you are pregnant can be done 12 days after the fertile period, even before the delaying menstruation. However, pregnancy tests sold at the pharmacy have different sensitivity and so when the test gives negative but pregnancy symptoms are present, it should be repeated after about 3 to 5 days because the amount of hormone in the urine increases each day, and the result may change to positive after this period

Cordocentesis, or fetal blood sample, is a prenatal diagnostic test, done at 18 or 20 weeks of gestation, in which a baby's blood sample is withdrawn from the umbilical cord to detect any chromosomal deficiency in the baby, such as Down Syndrome, or diseases such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, fetal anemia or cytomegalovirus, for example

Angiography is a diagnostic exam that allows you to better visualize the inside of the blood vessels, serving to evaluate their shape and diagnose possible diseases such as aneurysm or arteriosclerosis, for example. This way, this examination can be done in various places of the body, such as brain, heart or lungs, for example, depending on the disease that is trying to diagnose

Endocervical uterine curettage is a gynecological examination performed by inserting a small instrument into the vagina until it reaches the cervix to wipe the tissue from this site. The scraped tissue is then examined under a microscope by a pathologist in a laboratory. This test should be performed on all women who have been classified III, IV, V or CIN 3 on the pap smear to certify the diagnosis of cervical cancer

Curettage is a procedure performed by the gynecologist that serves as a treatment to cleanse the uterus from the remains of an incomplete abortion, from the placenta after normal delivery or as a means of diagnosis, in which case it is called a semiotic curettage. Curettage is very painful procedure but throughout the procedure the woman should be sedated or anesthetized and therefore feel no pain

The ergometric test, popularly known as stress test or treadmill test, is used to evaluate the functioning of the heart during physical exertion. It can be done on the treadmill or on the exercise bike, allowing speed and effort to be increased gradually, depending on the capacity of each person. Thus, this exam mimics moments of effort during the day, such as climbing stairs or a slope, for example, which are situations that can cause discomfort or shortness of breath in people at risk for heart attack

The electrocardiogram, or ECG, is an examination done to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart, thus observing the rhythm, quantity and speed of its beats. This test is done by a device that draws graphs on this information from the heart, and if there is any disease, such as arrhythmias, murmurs, or even infarction, these charts, which are interpreted by the general practitioner or cardiologist, may be altered

Neutrophils are part of the portion of the blood responsible for the body's defense and immunity, leukocytes. They are responsible for wrapping diseased cells, eliminating them next, and are specialized in fighting bacteria and fungi. Neutrophils are produced and stored in the bone marrow and their reference values ​​are: 40-80% or, ie, 1800 to 8000 / mm3. Th

Cardiovascular checkup consists of a group of tests that help the doctor assess the risk of having or developing a heart or circulatory problem, such as heart failure, arrhythmia, or heart attack. Typically, this type of checkup is indicated for men over 45 and for women in the post-menopausal phase, as these are the periods when the risk of cardiovascular problems is greatest

You should go to the cardiologist, who is the doctor diagnoses and treats heart disease, whenever you have symptoms such as chest pain or constant tiredness, for example, because they are signs that may indicate changes in the heart. Generally, when the patient has an already diagnosed heart disease, such as heart failure or arrhythmia for example, they should go to the doctor at least every six months and whenever the doctor indicates, to make tests and adjust the treatment if necessary

Virtual colonoscopy is an examination that allows visualization of the intestine, without the need to introduce a tube probe into the colon, and is useful for identifying intestinal polyps less than 0.5 mm, diverticula or cancer, for example. Virtual colonoscopy is performed with CT equipment with low radiation dose and images are analyzed by computer programs that generate images of the intestine in various perspectives, taking the procedure on average 15 minutes

Mammography results always indicate which BI-RADS category a woman is in, where 1 means that the result is normal and 5 and 6 are likely to be indicative of breast cancer. Although observation of the results of a mammogram can be done by anyone, not all parameters can be understood by people who are not health professionals and so after picking up the result it is important to take it to the doctor who requested it

Galactography is a type of mammography with contrast that serves to diagnose the cause of blood or any other liquid coming out of the nipples outside of the breastfeeding period. This test is indicated for women and may hurt a little, because for its accomplishment it is necessary to inject about 1 ml of contrast through an injection in the nipples, realizing the digital mammography normally, soon to follow

Hysterosalpingography is a gynecological X-ray examination of the uterus and fallopian tubes, made with contrast, widely used to assess the causes of infertility in a couple, for example. In addition, hysterosalpingography can also be used to evaluate other gynecological problems, such as malformations, fibroids, or obstructed tubules, as it helps visualize the anatomy of the female reproductive system from the uterus to the ovaries

A uterine biopsy is a diagnostic test used to identify laboratory abnormalities in uterine lining tissue that may indicate abnormal growth of the uterus, infections of the uterus, and even cancer. Learn all about this procedure in What It Is and What the Biopsy Is for. Usually, uterine biopsy is recommended by the gynecologist when abnormal changes occur in the female reproductive system, such as excessive bleeding outside the menstrual period, pelvic pain or difficulty getting pregnant, for example