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Examination Hepatitis A Diagnosis Tests

Many people still confuse how to diagnose hepatitis A virus, or where we can do hepatitis A diagnosis tests. A complete medical history and physical examination provide valuable information about your signs and symptoms, and it is likely that you have been exposed to HAV Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). While taking a medical history, your hepatitis A physician doctor will ask you where you have traveled, if you work or have a child in kindergarten, and if you live with a person known to have contracted hepatitis A.

If you have been exposed to hepatitis A, you have blood tests to study liver function and see if your liver is damaged or inflamed. Hepatitis A diagnosis like blood tests to study liver function include :
- The Bilirubin. When bilirubin accumulates in the blood, may indicate hepatitis disease.
- Albumin. Below normal levels may indicate hepatitis or other liver problems.
- Prothrombin time, a blood test that measures the time it takes for blood to clot. A prothrombin time may be caused by disease or liver disease.

Blood tests in hepatitis A diagnosis may be performed to determine if the liver is damaged or inflamed include :
- Alanine aminotransferase (ALT). When the liver is damaged or diseased, ALT is released into the bloodstream, causing levels of the enzyme increased.
- Aspartate aminotransferase (AST). When damaged tissues or organs like the heart or liver, AST is released into the bloodstream. The amount of AST in the blood is directly related to the degree of tissue damage.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Large amounts of alkaline phosphatase in the blood can indicate liver damage.
- Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH). Many diseases can cause elevations in the level of LDH. In addition to proof of DHL, the doctor usually will run more tests to confirm a diagnosis of hepatitis A.

If the hepatitis A diagnosis tests show that the liver is inflamed, you have an antibody (anti-HAV) test on a sample of his blood. The presence of antibodies against HAV indicates that HAV infection is the most likely cause of hepatitis. If test results show that anti-HAV hepatitis A does not multiply in your body, your doctor may do other blood tests to determine if hepatitis virus hepatitis B, hepatitis C or Epstein -Barr virus (which causes infectious mononucleosis, or mono) is the cause of his hepatitis.

Early Detection of Hepatitis A Virus

If you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus and have not been vaccinated or infected, contact your doctor. If you take hepatitis A diagnosis tests and receive an injection of immune globulin (IG) within 2 weeks of exposure to hepatitis, you may not have symptoms of infection with HAV.

Routine vaccination of hospital personnel, food handlers and child care workers and attendees Center does not occur at this time because the risk of infection is generally higher than the general community. However, some centers have child care workers get the shot because it works so well to prevent the disease. There are also very low likelihood of vaccine side effects. If outbreaks of HAV infection occur in these environments, people who have been exposed to the virus should receive an injection of immune globulin (IG).

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Warning Signs Call Hepatitis A Doctor

Consult your hepatitis A doctor immediately if a person with hepatitis A develops severe dehydration (caused by vomiting and inability to keep fluids) or any other signs of rapidly developing liver failure, including:
- Extreme irritability (greater than expected, when a person is sick).
- The inability to think clearly or reason.
- The extreme drowsiness.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Swelling of the face, hands, feet, ankles, legs, arms or abdomen (edema).
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth or rectum (including blood in the stool), or under the skin.

Call a hepatitis A doctor today if :
- At least one of the signs or symptoms of hepatitis develop. For more information, see the Symptoms section of this issue.
- A child or family member was in a daycare or other facility where an outbreak of hepatitis A occurred.
- Someone in your family has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
- Your sexual partner has been diagnosed with hepatitis A.
- Did you eat at a restaurant or other food service is known as the source of an outbreak of hepatitis A.
- Planning a trip to a foreign country or any other reason to believe that you should be vaccinated against hepatitis A. The vaccination plan 6 months before travel, if possible. If time is short, vaccinated at least 1 month before the trip offers some protection, and 2 weeks before the trip can also be helpful.

Surveillance, or watchful waiting is not recommended if you believe you have been exposed to HAV hepatitis A virus (HAV) or if you have symptoms of the disease. It is very important to consult hepatitis A doctor if signs of hepatitis A symptoms appear, because all forms of viral hepatitis have similar symptoms. Only a blood test can determine if you have hepatitis A or other hepatitis viruses. The hepatitis A doctor may also give advice on how to prevent the spread of hepatitis A.

Most of the time, the following health professionals (doctor medicals in your country) can treat and diagnose hepatitis A. The health professionals are : internist, physician assistant, vocational nurse, pediatrician or physician family medicine. But if complications occur, you may need the attention of a gastroenterologist, liver specialist (hepatologist) or specialist in infectious diseases.

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Some Cirrhosis Treatment Complications Part 2

In Complications of Cirrhosis Treatment Part 1, you have learen more detail information about bleeding from varices, also edema and ascites. And now, in Some Cirrhosis Treatment Complications Part 2 I will give information more details about Hepatic encephalopathy, Hypersplenism, Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP)

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Patients with an abnormal sleep cycle, thought disorders, bizarre behavior, or other signs of hepatic encephalopathy usually be treated with a low protein diet and oral lactulose. The dietary protein is limited because it is a source of toxic compounds that cause hepatic encephalopathy. Lactulose, which is a liquid, the pitfalls of toxic compounds in the colon. Therefore, can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause encephalopathy. To ensure that adequate lactulose present in the colon, at any time, patient dose should be used to produce semi-formed stools per day 2.3. (Lactulose is a laxative, and the adequacy of treatment may be tried by the looseness or increased stool frequency.) Encephalopathy If symptoms persist, oral antibiotics such as neomycin or metronidazole (Flagyl) can be added to the system. Antibiotics by blocking the production of toxic compounds by bacteria in the colon.

Hypersplenism

The filtration of blood by an enlarged spleen usually means that the cuts only mild symptoms of red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (leukopenia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia), which do not require treatment. Severe anemia, however, may need blood transfusions or treatment with erythropoietin or epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit), hormones that stimulate red blood cell production. If the number of white blood cells are significantly reduced, another factor stimulating hormone called granulocyte colony is available to increase the number of white blood cells. An example of one of these factors is filgrastim (Neupogen).

There is no approved drug is still available to increase the number of platelets. As a precaution necessary, patients with low platelet count should not use aspirin or other antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), because these drugs may affect platelet function. If a low number of platelets is associated with significant bleeding, platelet transfusions should be given normally. Surgical removal of the spleen (called splenectomy) should be avoided if possible because of the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery and the risk of anesthesia in advanced liver disease.

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (SBP)

Patients with suspected spontaneous bacterial peritonitis usually covered by paracentesis. The liquid that is extracted is examined for white blood cells and for bacteria. Culture is the inoculation of a sample of ascites in a bottle of fluid containing nutrients that promote growth of bacteria, facilitating the identification of even small amounts of bacteria. The blood and urine samples are often obtained for both culture, since many patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis has also infection in the blood and urine. In fact, many doctors believe the infection may have begun in the blood and urine and spread to cause ascites spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Most patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotics such as ampicillin, gentamicin, and one of the most recent generations cephalosporins. In general, patients treated with antibiotics as follows:

• Patients with blood, urine and / or ascites fluid cultures containing bacteria.
• Patients without bacteria in the blood, urine and ascites, but who have a high number of white blood cells (neutrophils) in asciticfluid (> 250 neutrophils / cc). High number of neutrophils in the ascitic fluid usually means that there is a bacterial infection. Doctors believe that the absence of bacteria to grow in some patients with increased neutrophils is due either to a very small number of bacteria or inefficient farming techniques.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is a serious infection. It often occurs in patients with advanced cirrhosis, whose immune system is weakened, but with modern antibiotics and early detection and treatment, the prognosis for recovery from an episode of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is good.

In some patients, oral antibiotics (like Cipro or Septra) can be prescribed to prevent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. All patients with cirrhosis and ascites should be treated with antibiotics to prevent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, but some patients are at high risk for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and justify preventive treatment :

• Patients with cirrhosis who were hospitalized for variceal bleeding are at high risk for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and should be released in early antibiotics during hospitalization to prevent spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Patients with recurrent episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Patients with low protein content in ascites (accumulation of ascites with low protein is more susceptible to infection)

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Lung Cancer Diagnosis Guide

What is the diagnosis of lung cancer ? Lung cancer doctors use a variety of diagnostic procedures and lung cancer tests to diagnose lung cancer. Some of lung cancer diagnosis (diagnóstico de cáncer de pulmón, La diagnosi di cancro al polmone, lungenkrebs diagnose, diagnóstico de cáncer de pulmón) are :

Physical and history examination

The history and physical examination may reveal the presence of symptoms and signs that, with suspected lung cancer. In addition, to inquire into the causes and risk factors for cancer such as smoking, doctors can detect signs of respiratory distress, airway obstruction or lung infection. Cyanosis, a bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood, suggesting compromise of lung function. In addition, changes in the tissues of the nail, known as clubs, can also indicate lung disease.

Chest X-ray

Using Chest X-Ray is the most common first diagnostic step, when new lung cancer symptoms are present. Chest X-ray procedure often includes a view from the back of the front of the chest as well as the view from the outside. Like any X-ray procedure, chest X-rays expose patients below the minimum amount of radiation. In the chest X-rays can detect suspicious areas in the lungs, but can not determine if these areas are cancerous. In particular, calcified nodules in the lungs or benign tumors called hamartomas can be identified by chest radiography and simulate a lung cancer.

CT-Scan (computed tomography scan, or computed tomography)

Computed Tomography Scan, better know as CT-Scan can be performed in the chest, abdomen and / or to study the brains of primary and metastatic tumors. The CT scan may be ordered when a chest X-rays showed no abnormalities or does not provide sufficient information or the location of the tumor. CT X-ray procedures is to combine several images using a computer to produce cross-section view of the body. Photos taken large donut-shaped X-ray machine at various angles around the body. One advantage of CT is more sensitive than standard chest x-ray ray in detecting lung nodules. Sometimes intravenous contrast agent is given before the procedure helps to identify the bodies and their positions. CT exposes the patient to a minimal amount of radiation. The most common side effect is an adverse reaction to contrast material intravenously, which can be given before the procedure. There may be a result of itching, a rash, which usually disappear fairly quickly. Severe anaphylactic reactions (life-threatening allergic reactions with shortness of breath), in contrast to the material are rare. Abdominal CT scan can detect liver metastases or adrenal glands, and computed tomography of the head may be required to identify the presence and extent of metastatic brain cancer.

A technique called low-dose spiral CT (computed tomography or spiral)

CT Spiral, or computed tomography spiral is sometimes used for screening of lung cancer. This procedure requires a special type of scanner and shown to be an effective tool to identify lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. However, there has not been demonstrated that the use of this method actually saves lives and reduces the risk of death from lung cancer. Increased sensitivity of this method is actually one of the sources of its weaknesses, as it is easy nodules require further evaluation will be considered in approximately 20% of people with this technique. Nodules identified low-dose spiral transformer test, 90% not cancerous, but require up to two years of expensive and often difficult monitoring and verification. Trials conducted in order to determine more precisely the utility of spiral CT screening for lung cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Using MRI may be appropriate if the precise details on the whereabouts of the tumor is not necessary. Appliances Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce images of body structures. Like CT, the patient is in bed furniture, which is inserted into the MRI. There are no known side effects of MRI, and no exposure. And the resolution of the image produced by MRI in detail and can detect small changes in the structure within the body. Persons with pacemakers, metal implants, artificial heart valves and other structures surgically implanted can not be scanned with MRI because of the risk that the magnet may move the metal parts of these structures.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

PET, or positron emission tomography is a specialized imaging technique that uses radioactive drugs short-term three-dimensional color images of these substances in the tissues in the body. Although CT and MRI to examine the anatomical structures and measure the metabolic activity of PET and functioning of tissues. PET can determine if the tumor tissue is actively growing and can help determine the type of tumor cells determined. In PET, the patient receives an average cut of radioactive drugs and about the amount of radiation in two chest X-ray. Drug discharges particles called positrons from wherever they are accepted and used in the body. As the positrons encounter electrons in the body, the reaction of gamma ray production occurs. The scanner records these gamma rays and map the area where radioactive drugs. For example, the combination of glucose (a common source of energy in the body) with radioactive materials will be displayed quickly when glucose is used, for example, the growing tumor.

Thoracentesis

Why thoracentesis can diagnose lung cancer? Sometimes lung cancer involving the lining of the lung tissue (pleura) and lead to accumulation of fluid in the space between the lungs and thorax (called pleural effusion). The desire of the fluid sample with a fine needle (thoracentesis) can detect cancer cells and to establish the diagnosis. As the needle biopsy, a small risk of pneumothorax associated with this procedure.

Bronchoscopy
Examination of bronchoscopy of the airways (Airways viewing through a thin fiber optic probe is inserted through the nose or mouth), can identify areas of tumor, which may be sampling ( biopsy) for diagnosis by the pathologist. A tumor in the central regions of mild or arising in connection with the large airways is available for sampling using this technique. Bronchoscopy can be performed with the fiber, rigid or flexible-optic bronchoscope and can be done in the office that day bronchoscopy suite, operating room or living room. The procedure can be uncomfortable and requires sedation or anesthesia. Although bronchoscopy is relatively secure, it must be done by lung specialists (pulmonologist or surgeon) with experience in this procedure. When the tumor is visualized and adequately sampled, accurate diagnosis of cancer, as a rule, is possible. Some patients may cough up blood, dark brown for a day or two after the procedure. The most serious complications, but rarely include more bleeding, reduced blood oxygen, and cardiac arrhythmia, and complications of sedation and anesthesia.

Sputum cytology

What is the sputum cytology? The lung-cancer diagnosis always requires confirmation of malignant cells pathologist, even when symptoms and X-ray studies with suspected lung cancer. The easiest way to establish the diagnosis of sputum examination under a microscope. If the tumor is located in the center and into the respiratory tract, this procedure is known as the examination of sputum cytology, may allow visualization of the tumor cells for diagnosis. This is the biggest risk diagnostic procedure for free and cheap material, but its value is limited because tumor cells can not always be present in sputum, even if cancer is present. Also, sometimes benign cells undergo changes in response to inflammation or trauma, which makes them look like cancer cells.

The Bone Scan

The bone scan is used to create images of bones on a film or computer screen. Doctors may order a bone scan to determine the lung cancer metastasis to bone. In the analysis of bones, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the blood and accumulates in bones, especially in abnormal areas, such as those involved in the metastatic tumors. Radioactive material detected by the scanner and the image of the bones is recorded on special film for permanent display.

The needle biopsies

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) through the skin, most commonly performed with X-ray images for guidance, can be useful in extracting the cells for diagnosis of tumors of the lymph in the lungs. Needle biopsy is particularly useful for peripheral lung tumor in the lungs and is not accessible for sampling by bronchoscopy. A small amount of local anesthetic for the installation of a thin needle through the chest wall in the anomalous region in the lungs. The cells were sucked into the syringe and examined under the microscope of the tumor cells. This procedure is usually necessary when the tissue in the affected area is an adequate sample, but in some cases, the district or outside the field can easily be confused with the sample. Small risk (3% -5%) of air leaks in the lungs (called pneumothorax, which can be easily treated) accompanies the procedure.

The major surgical procedures

If none of these methods provides methods of diagnosis, surgery should be used to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis. These may include mediastinoscopy (examination of the chest cavity between the lungs through a tube inserted into a surgical biopsy of tumor masses or lymph nodes that may contain metastases) or thoracotomy (surgical opening of the chest wall to remove or biopsy). At thoracotomy, is a rare opportunity to completely remove the lung, and both mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy entails risks of major surgical procedures (for complications such as bleeding, infection, and risks associated with anesthesia and drugs). These procedures are performed in the operating room and the patient should be hospitalized.

Blood tests

Although regular blood tests alone can not diagnose lung cancer can be identified biochemical and metabolic disorders in the body that accompany cancer. For example, elevated levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase enzyme may accompany cancer, which is a bone metastasis. In addition, elevated levels of certain enzymes normally present in liver cells, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT), signal liver damage, possibly due to the presence of metastases.

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Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs

What are the lung cancer signs and lung cancer symptoms ? The symptoms of lung cancer vary widely depending on the location and extent of the tumor. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or readily identifiable. A person with lung cancer May of the following types of symptoms:

• No symptoms

It’s up to 25% of people who develop lung cancer, the cancer is discovered at a routine chest X-ray or CT scan as a solitary small mass sometimes called the currency of an injury, given as two dimensions X – ray or CT scan, the tumor-round as a coin. These patients often report only small masses have no symptoms when the cancer is discovered.

• The symptoms associated with cancer

Tumor growth and invasion of lung tissue and surrounding tissues can cause breathing, causing symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, wheezing, chest pain and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). If the cancer has invaded nerves, for example, can cause pain in the shoulder on the outside of the arm (called Pancoast’s Syndrome) or paralysis of the vocal cords leading to hoarseness. Invasion of the esophagus may cause difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia). If an airway is obstructed large, the collapse of part of the lung may occur and cause infections (abscesses, pneumonia) in the blocked area.

• Symptoms related to metastasis

Lung cancer that has spread to the bones may produce excruciating pain in areas of bone involvement. Cancer that has spread to the brain can cause a range of neurological symptoms may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures or stroke symptoms as weakness or numbness in parts of the body.

• Paraneoplastic symptoms

Lung cancers are often accompanied by symptoms resulting from the production of the hormone-like substances by tumor cells. These paraneoplastic syndromes occur most often with SCLC in may, but should be viewed with any type of tumor. A common paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SCLC is the production of a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the cancer cells, resulting in the hypersecretion of cortisol, a hormone of the adrenal glands (Cushing’s syndrome). Most common paraneoplastic syndrome with NSCLC is the production of a substance similar to parathyroid hormone, which causes high calcium levels in the blood.

• No specific symptoms

No specific symptoms seen with many cancers, including lung cancer, including weight loss, weakness and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as depression and mood swings are also common.
When you visit a doctor or physician medical ?

He should consult a health professional if symptoms he or she develops associated with lung cancer, especially if they
- A persistent cough onset or worsening of existing chronic cough
- The blood in the sputum
- Persistent bronchitis or repeated respiratory infections
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss and fatigue, and also..
- Breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath or wheezing.

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