Health Reference Series
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Fourth Edition
Medical Tests SOURCEBOOK N
Basic Consumer Health Information about Preventive Care Guidelines, Routine Health Screenings, Home-Use Tests, Blood, Stool, and Urine Tests, Genetic Testing, Biopsies, Endoscopic Exams, and Imaging Tests, Such as X-Ray, Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), and Nuclear and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Exams Along with Facts about Diagnostic Tests for Allergies, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart and Lung Disease, Infertility, Osteoporosis, Sleep Problems, and Other Specific Conditions, a Glossary of Related Terms, and Directories of Additional Resources
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Edited by
Joyce Brennfleck Shannon
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Medical Tests SOURCEBOOK Fourth Edition
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__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Basic Consumer Health Information about Preventive __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Care Guidelines, Routine Health Screenings, Home-Use Tests, __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Blood, Stool, and Urine Tests, Genetic Testing, Biopsies, Endo__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ scopic Exams, and Imaging Tests, Such as X-Ray, Ultrasound, __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Computed Tomography (CT), and Nuclear and Magnetic __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Resonance Imaging (MRI) Exams __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Related Terms, and Directories of Additional Resources __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Edited by __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Joyce Brennfleck Shannon __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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Health Reference Series Fourth Edition
Medical Tests SOURCEBOOK N
155 W. Congress, Suite 200, Detroit, MI 48226
Bibliographic Note Because this page cannot legibly accommodate all the copyright notices, the Bibliographic Note portion of the Preface constitutes an extension of the copyright notice. Edited by Joyce Brennfleck Shannon Health Reference Series Karen Bellenir, Managing Editor David A. Cooke, MD, FACP, Medical Consultant Elizabeth Collins, Research and Permissions Coordinator Cherry Edwards, Permissions Assistant EdIndex, Services for Publishers, Indexers *** Omnigraphics, Inc. Matthew P. Barbour, Senior Vice President Kevin M. Hayes, Operations Manager *** Peter E. Ruffner, Publisher Copyright © 2011 Omnigraphics, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7808-1151-5 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Medical tests sourcebook : basic consumer health information about preventive care guidelines, routine health screenings, home-use tests, blood, stool, and urine tests, genetic testing, biopsies, endoscopic exams, and imaging tests, such as x-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and nuclear and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams; along with facts about diagnostic tests for allergies, cancer, diabetes, heart and lung disease, infertility, osteoporosis, sleep problems, and other specific conditions, a glossary of related terms, and directories of additional resources / edited by Joyce Brennfleck Shannon. -- 4th ed. p. cm. -- (Health reference series) Includes bibliographical references and index. Summary: "Provides basic consumer health information about laboratory, imaging, and other types of medical testing for disease screening, diagnosis, and monitoring, along with information and guidelines for preventive care testing in children and adults. Includes index, glossary of related terms, and other resources"-- Provided by publisher. ISBN 978-0-7808-1151-5 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Diagnosis--Popular works. 2. Diagnosis, Laboratory--Popular works. 3. Medicine, Popular. I. Shannon, Joyce Brennfleck. RC71.3.M45 2011 616.07'5--dc23 2011026847
Electronic or mechanical reproduction, including photography, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system for the purpose of resale is strictly prohibited without permission in writing from the publisher. The information in this publication was compiled from the sources cited and from other sources considered reliable. While every possible effort has been made to ensure reliability, the publisher will not assume liability for damages caused by inaccuracies in the data, and makes no warranty, express or implied, on the accuracy of the information contained herein.
This book is printed on acid-free paper meeting the ANSI Z39.48 Standard. The infinity symbol that appears above indicates that the paper in this book meets that standard. Printed in the United States
Table of Contents Visit www.healthreferenceseries.com to view A Contents Guide to the Health Reference Series, a listing of more than 16,000 topics and the volumes in which they are covered.
Preface ............................................................................................xv
Part I: Screening and Preventive Care Tests Chapter 1—Regular Health Exams Are Important ...................... 3 Chapter 2—Questions about Medical Tests................................... 7 Chapter 3—Newborn Screening Tests .......................................... 9 Chapter 4—Preventive Care for Children and Adolescents ........................................................ 33 Section 4.1—Recommended Screening Tests for Children and Adolescents ..................................... 34 Section 4.2—Body Mass Index Screening for Weight Problems ....................... 39
Chapter 5—Preventive Care and Screening Test Guidelines for Adults................................................ 43 Section 5.1—Men’s Health Screening Recommendations........................... 44 Section 5.2—Women’s Health Screening Recommendations........................... 50
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Chapter 6—Common Screenings in Your Doctor’s Office.......... 53 Section 6.1—Assessing Weight and Health Risk ................................. 54 Section 6.2—High Blood Pressure Screening .................................... 56 Section 6.3—Cholesterol Screening for Adults and Children ............. 59
Chapter 7—Genetic Testing ....................................................... 63 Section 7.1—Frequently Asked Questions about Genetic Testing ................ 64 Section 7.2—Genetic Consultation.................. 67 Section 7.3—Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk ................................ 69
Chapter 8—Required Medical Screening of Immigrants to the United States................................................ 73
Part II: Laboratory Tests Chapter 9—Understanding Laboratory Tests ........................... 79 Section 9.1—Introduction to Lab Tests ........... 80 Section 9.2—Identifying Quality Laboratory Services ....................................... 81 Section 9.3—Deciphering Your Lab Report .... 83
Chapter 10—Point-of-Care Rapid Diagnostic Tests .................... 89 Chapter 11—Common Blood Tests............................................... 93 Chapter 12—Biopsies ................................................................... 99 Section 12.1—Types of Biopsy Procedures ..... 100 Section 12.2—Breast Biopsy............................ 101 Section 12.3—Kidney Biopsy........................... 104 Section 12.4—Liver Biopsy .............................. 107 Section 12.5—Lung Needle Biopsy ................. 111 Section 12.6—Muscle Biopsy ........................... 114 Section 12.7—Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy........................................ 117
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Section 12.8—Skin Lesion Biopsy ................... 119 Section 12.9—Thyroid Fine Needle Aspiration ................................. 121
Chapter 13—Bone Marrow Tests ............................................... 123 Chapter 14—Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap) ............................ 127 Chapter 15—Stool Tests ............................................................. 131 Section 15.1—Stool Culture ............................ 132 Section 15.2—Colorectal Cancer Stool Tests .......................................... 136 Section 15.3—Detecting Parasite Antigens .... 138
Chapter 16—Throat Culture ...................................................... 141 Chapter 17—Toxicology Screen .................................................. 145 Chapter 18—Urine Tests ............................................................ 149
Part III: Imaging Tests Chapter 19—Risks of Medical Imaging ..................................... 153 Section 19.1—Increasing Use of Radiation-Emitting Procedures ................................ 154 Section 19.2—Doses from Medical Radiation Sources ................... 158 Section 19.3—Radiation Exposure and Pregnancy ................................. 161 Section 19.4—Radiology and Children ........... 165 Section 19.5—Reducing Radiation from Medical X-Rays ......................... 166
Chapter 20—Radiography .......................................................... 169 Section 20.1—Medical X-Rays ......................... 170 Section 20.2—Chest X-Ray .............................. 171 Section 20.3—Dental X-Rays........................... 174 Section 20.4—Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Test for Bone Density ....................... 177
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Chapter 21—Contrast Radiography .......................................... 181 Section 21.1—Angiography ............................. 182 Section 21.2—Cystogram................................. 185 Section 21.3—Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Series ........................................ 187 Section 21.4—Lower GI Series (Barium Enema) ....................... 190 Section 21.5—Lung Ventilation/Perfusion Scan ........................................... 194 Section 21.6—Myelography ............................. 197 Section 21.7—Intravenous Pyelogram ............ 199
Chapter 22—Ultrasound (Sonography) Exams ......................... 201 Section 22.1—Ultrasound Overview ............... 202 Section 22.2—Abdominal Ultrasound............. 204 Section 22.3—Carotid Ultrasound .................. 207 Section 22.4—Circulation (Vascular) Ultrasound ............................... 209 Section 22.5—Echocardiography (Heart) ....... 212 Section 22.6—Pelvic Ultrasound ..................... 215 Section 22.7—Transesophageal Echocardiography ..................... 217 Section 22.8—Transvaginal Ultrasound......... 220
Chapter 23—Computed Tomography (CT) ................................ 223 Section 23.1—Introduction to CT ................... 224 Section 23.2—Chest CT Scan .......................... 225 Section 23.3—Coronary Calcium Scan ........... 229 Section 23.4—Virtual Colonoscopy ................. 231 Section 23.5—Full Body CT Scans: What You Need to Know .......... 234
Chapter 24—Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) ................... 237 Section 24.1—Introduction to MRI ................. 238 Section 24.2—MRI of the Brain ...................... 240 Section 24.3—Cardiac MRI ............................. 244
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Section 24.4—Chest MRI................................. 247 Section 24.5—MRI of the Spine ...................... 250
Chapter 25—Nuclear Imaging .................................................. 255 Section 25.1—Imaging Molecular Change...... 256 Section 25.2—Molecular Imaging and Alzheimer Disease .................... 261 Section 25.3—Nuclear Heart Scan .................. 266 Section 25.4—Nuclear Breast Imaging (Scintimammography) ............. 271 Section 25.5—Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging .... 273
Chapter 26—Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging ....................... 277 Section 26.1—Overview of Medical Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging ..................................... 278 Section 26.2—Breast Thermography .............. 281
Chapter 27—Mammograms ....................................................... 285 Chapter 28—Neurological Imaging ........................................... 291 Chapter 29—Researching New Imaging Techniques ................ 295 Section 29.1—Super-Cool Imaging Technique.................................. 296 Section 29.2—Blood Vessel Shape Reveals Disease ........................ 298 Section 29.3—Optical Coherence Tomography .............................. 300 Section 29.4—Magnetic Resonance Elastography ............................ 302
Part IV: Catheterization, Endoscopic, and Electrical Tests and Assessments Chapter 30—Cardiac Catheterization ....................................... 307 Chapter 31—Endoscopy.............................................................. 311 Section 31.1—Ten Questions to Ask Your Endoscopist ............................... 312
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Section 31.2—Bronchoscopy ............................ 313 Section 31.3—Capsule Endoscopy................... 315 Section 31.4—Colonoscopy .............................. 318 Section 31.5—Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy ............................. 321 Section 31.6—Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)......................................... 324 Section 31.7—Upper Endoscopy...................... 328 Section 31.8—Laryngoscopy ............................ 330 Section 31.9—Flexible Sigmoidoscopy ............ 334 Section 31.10—Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) ...................................... 336
Chapter 32—Electrocardiogram (EKG) ..................................... 339 Chapter 33—Electroencephalogram (EEG) ............................... 341 Chapter 34—Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Velocities ............................................................... 345 Chapter 35—Electronystagmography: Looking at Eye Movements ............................................................ 349 Chapter 36—Holter and Event Monitors .................................. 353 Chapter 37—Diagnostic Laparoscopy ........................................ 359 Chapter 38—Stress Testing ........................................................ 363
Part V: Screening and Assessments for Specific Conditions and Diseases Chapter 39—Allergy Testing ...................................................... 373 Chapter 40—Bladder and Kidney Function Tests .................... 379 Section 40.1—Urodynamics............................. 380 Section 40.2—Screening for Kidney Disease ...................................... 387 Section 40.3—Tracking Chronic Kidney Disease ...................................... 389
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Chapter 41—Cancer Screening Tests ........................................ 391 Section 41.1—Cancer Screening Overview ..... 392 Section 41.2—Bladder and Other Urothelial Cancers Screening .................................. 394 Section 41.3—Breast Cancer Screening ......... 397 Section 41.4—Cervical Cancer Screening ....... 401 Section 41.5—Colorectal Cancer Screening..... 404 Section 41.6—Esophageal Cancer Screening .................................. 406 Section 41.7—Lung Cancer Screening ............ 409 Section 41.8—Oral Cancer Screening ............. 411 Section 41.9—Prostate Cancer Screening ...... 413 Section 41.10—Skin Cancer Screening ............. 417 Section 41.11—Testicular Cancer Screening .................................. 419 Section 41.12—Tumor Markers ........................ 420
Chapter 42—Celiac Disease Tests.............................................. 425 Chapter 43—Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Tests..................................... 429 Section 43.1—Sputum CF Respiratory Screen ....................................... 430 Section 43.2—Sweat Electrolytes Test ............ 432
Chapter 44—Diabetes Tests ....................................................... 435 Section 44.1—Screening Tests for Diabetes .................................... 436 Section 44.2—Glucose Meters Monitor Blood Sugar Levels................... 439 Section 44.3—Continuous Glucose Monitoring ................................ 443
Chapter 45—Hearing Assessments ........................................... 445 Chapter 46—Heart and Vascular Disease Screening and Diagnostic Tests ............................................. 453 Section 46.1—Cardiomyopathy ....................... 454
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Section 46.2—Carotid Artery Disease Assessments ............................. 457 Section 46.3—Congenital Heart Defects Tests .......................................... 459 Section 46.4—Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Assessments ............................. 461
Chapter 47—Infectious Disease Testing .................................... 465 Section 47.1—Diagnosis and Screening of Infectious Diseases ............... 466 Section 47.2—Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Sexually Transmitted Disease Testing ...................................... 467 Section 47.3—Tuberculosis (TB) Test ............. 470
Chapter 48—Lung Disease Tests ............................................... 473 Chapter 49—Neurological Diagnostic Tests .............................. 479 Chapter 50—Osteoporosis Diagnosis ........................................ 485 Chapter 51—Prenatal and Infertility Tests............................... 489 Section 51.1—Prenatal Tests........................... 490 Section 51.2—Infertility Tests ......................... 494
Chapter 52—Sleep Disorder Tests ............................................. 497 Chapter 53—Thyroid and Other Endocrine Tests..................... 503 Section 53.1—Recognizing Endocrine System Dysfunction ................. 504 Section 53.2—Thyroid Function Tests ............ 508
Chapter 54—Vision Tests ........................................................... 515 Section 54.1—Routine Eye Exam.................... 516 Section 54.2—Comprehensive Dilated Eye Exam .................................. 517 Section 54.3—Common Tests for Glaucoma .................................. 519
Chapter 55—Vestibular (Balance) Problem Tests ..................... 523 xii
Part VI: Home and Self-Ordered Tests Chapter 56—An Introduction to Home-Use Medical Tests ........................................................ 529 Section 56.1—Convenient, Timely, Not Necessarily Perfect ............ 530 Section 56.2—How to Get the Best Results ...................................... 534 Section 56.3—Buying Diagnostic Tests Online ....................................... 536
Chapter 57—Cholesterol Home Use Test .................................. 539 Chapter 58—Drugs of Abuse Home Tests.................................. 541 Section 58.1—First Check 12 Drug Test ............................................ 542 Section 58.2—Collection Kit ............................ 545
Chapter 59—Fecal Occult Blood Home Test .............................. 547 Chapter 60—Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing ................... 551 Chapter 61—Gynecological Concerns Home Tests.................... 555 Section 61.1—Ovulation (Saliva Test) ............ 556 Section 61.2—Ovulation (Urine Test) ............. 558 Section 61.3—Pregnancy Home Tests ............. 560 Section 61.4—Vaginal pH ................................ 563
Chapter 62—Menopause Home Test.......................................... 565 Chapter 63—Hepatitis C Home Test ......................................... 567 Chapter 64—HIV Home Test...................................................... 571 Chapter 65—Prothrombin Home Test ....................................... 575
Part VII: Additional Help and Information Chapter 66—Glossary of Terms Related to Medical Tests .................................................... 579 Chapter 67—Online Health Screening Tools............................. 589 xiii
Chapter 68—Directory of Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs ................................... 597 Chapter 69—Organizations with Resources for People Undergoing Medical Tests .................................... 609 Index ........................................................................................... 621
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Preface
About This Book Informed decisions about health and the treatment of disease are guided by the wealth of information discovered though medical screening and diagnostic tests. Screening tests identify risk factors for specific disorders, while diagnostic tests find markers of disease or dysfunction. Medical tests assist in diagnosing the causes of symptoms, making treatment decisions, and assessing treatment effectiveness. When faced with decisions about health, consumers need to understand the benefits and limitations of medical tests and how test results guide treatment and lifestyle choices. Medical Tests Sourcebook, Fourth Edition provides updated information about exams, tests, and other screening, diagnostic, and diseasemonitoring procedures. It discusses preventive care guidelines and the screening tests used for such specific conditions as allergies, cancer, celiac disease, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, kidney and thyroid dysfunction, and others. Details about laboratory blood tests, biopsies, throat cultures, toxicology screens, urinalysis, and genetic tests are also presented. Imaging tests, such as x-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance, nuclear, and thermal imaging are described, and facts are offered about electrical, endoscopic, and home use tests. The book concludes with a glossary of related terms, a list of online health screening tools, and directories of breast and cervical cancer early detection programs and other resources for more information. xv
How to Use This Book This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part. Part I: Screening and Preventive Care Tests are used to identify individuals with specific risk factors for which the timely provision of medical care or other interventions can help avoid or reduce health consequences. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and certain genetic characteristics. Information is included about regular health exams, newborn screening tests, and preventive screening recommendations for all ages. Part II: Laboratory Tests begins with an overview of lab tests. It identifies the features that distinguish quality services and provides help for understanding lab reports. Information about commonly used diagnostic and preventive care tests is provided along with details about tests of body fluids, such as those that analyze blood, urine, and spinal fluid. Specific biopsies and cultures are also explained. Part III: Imaging Tests describes the many types of imaging available and the accompanying risks associated with exposure to radiation emissions. Imaging tests include radiography (x-rays), contrast studies, ultrasound exams, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear imaging, and thermal imaging. Mammograms, neurological imaging, and new imaging techniques are also discussed. Part IV: Catheterization, Endoscopic, and Electrical Tests and Assessments describes tests that use scopes, cameras, and electrical data. Cardiac catheterization, endoscopy, and laparoscopy enable physicians to see the structure of the heart, esophagus, colon, and other areas inside the body. Electrical tests provide data about the functioning of the cardiovascular, brain, and nervous systems. Part V: Screening and Assessments for Specific Conditions and Diseases explains tests used to identify and monitor conditions such as allergy, cancer, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, heart disease, infectious disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sleep disorders, and endocrine dysfunction. Information is also provided about hearing assessments, vision tests, and prenatal and infertility tests. Part VI: Home and Self-Ordered Tests discusses products that offer consumers a private option for the initial screening of fecal occult blood, xvi
drug abuse, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and other health concerns. The pros and cons of each test are given, and consumers are cautioned to use only tests approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration. All questions about home or self-ordered test results should be discussed with a health care provider. Part VII: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of terms related to medical tests and a list of online health screening tools. Directories of early detection programs for breast and cervical cancer and other resources for people undergoing medical tests are also included.
Bibliographic Note This volume contains documents and excerpts from publications issued by the following U.S. government agencies: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Genetics Home Reference; National Cancer Institute (NCI); NCI Visuals Online; National Eye Institute (NEI); National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); National Human Genome Research Institute; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB); National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); National Kidney Disease Educational Program (NKDEP); National Institutes of Health (NIH); NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases National Resource Center (NORBD); Office on Women’s Health; United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In addition, this volume contains copyrighted documents from the following organizations: A.D.A.M., Inc.; Alzheimer Disease Cooperative Study; American College of Clinical Thermology; American Association for Clinical Chemistry; American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; American Society of Echocardiography; American Society of Radiologic Technologists; Glaucoma Research Foundation; Health Physics Society; Imaginis Corporation; Joint Commission; Muscular Dystrophy Association of the United States; National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center; Nemours Foundation; Society of Nuclear Medicine; and University of Maryland Medical Center. xvii
Acknowledgements In addition to the listed organizations and agencies who have contributed to this Sourcebook, special thanks go to managing editor Karen Bellenir, research and permissions coordinator Liz Collins, and prepress services provider WhimsyInk for their help and support.
About the Health Reference Series The Health Reference Series is designed to provide basic medical information for patients, families, caregivers, and the general public. Each volume takes a particular topic and provides comprehensive coverage. This is especially important for people who may be dealing with a newly diagnosed disease or a chronic disorder in themselves or in a family member. People looking for preventive guidance, information about disease warning signs, medical statistics, and risk factors for health problems will also find answers to their questions in the Health Reference Series. The Series, however, is not intended to serve as a tool for diagnosing illness, in prescribing treatments, or as a substitute for the physician/patient relationship. All people concerned about medical symptoms or the possibility of disease are encouraged to seek professional care from an appropriate health care provider.
A Note about Spelling and Style Health Reference Series editors use Stedman’s Medical Dictionary as an authority for questions related to the spelling of medical terms and the Chicago Manual of Style for questions related to grammatical structures, punctuation, and other editorial concerns. Consistent adherence is not always possible, however, because the individual volumes within the Series include many documents from a wide variety of different producers and copyright holders, and the editor’s primary goal is to present material from each source as accurately as is possible following the terms specified by each document’s producer. This sometimes means that information in different chapters or sections may follow other guidelines and alternate spelling authorities. For example, occasionally a copyright holder may require that eponymous terms be shown in possessive forms (Crohn’s disease vs. Crohn disease) or that British spelling norms be retained (leukaemia vs. leukemia). xviii
Locating Information within the Health Reference Series The Health Reference Series contains a wealth of information about a wide variety of medical topics. Ensuring easy access to all the fact sheets, research reports, in-depth discussions, and other material contained within the individual books of the Series remains one of our highest priorities. As the Series continues to grow in size and scope, however, locating the precise information needed by a reader may become more challenging. A Contents Guide to the Health Reference Series was developed to direct readers to the specific volumes that address their concerns. It presents an extensive list of diseases, treatments, and other topics of general interest compiled from the Tables of Contents and major index headings. To access A Contents Guide to the Health Reference Series, visit www.healthreferenceseries.com.
Medical Consultant Medical consultation services are provided to the Health Reference Series editors by David A. Cooke, MD, FACP. Dr. Cooke is a graduate of Brandeis University, and he received his MD degree from the University of Michigan. He completed residency training at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Cooke currently works as part of the University of Michigan Health System and practices in Ann Arbor, MI. In his free time, he enjoys writing, science fiction, and spending time with his family.
Our Advisory Board We would like to thank the following board members for providing guidance to the development of this Series: s $R ,YNDA "AKER Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI s .ANCY "ULGARELLI William Beaumont Hospital Library, Royal Oak, MI s +AREN )MARISIO Bloomfield Township Public Library, Bloomfield Township, MI s +AREN -ORGAN Mardigian Library, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI xix
s 2OSEMARY /RLANDO St. Clair Shores Public Library, St. Clair Shores, MI
Health Reference Series Update Policy The inaugural book in the Health Reference Series was the first edition of Cancer Sourcebook published in 1989. Since then, the Series has been enthusiastically received by librarians and in the medical community. In order to maintain the standard of providing high-quality health information for the layperson the editorial staff at Omnigraphics felt it was necessary to implement a policy of updating volumes when warranted. Medical researchers have been making tremendous strides, and it is the purpose of the Health Reference Series to stay current with the most recent advances. Each decision to update a volume is made on an individual basis. Some of the considerations include how much new information is available and the feedback we receive from people who use the books. If there is a topic you would like to see added to the update list, or an area of medical concern you feel has not been adequately addressed, please write to: Editor Health Reference Series Omnigraphics, Inc. 155 W. Congress, Suite 200 Detroit, MI 48226 E-mail:
[email protected]
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Part One Screening and Preventive Care Tests
Chapter 1
Regular Health Exams Are Important
Schedule an appointment with your health care provider to discuss what preventive health services you need and when you need them. You and your health care provider determine what health services and screenings are best for you.
Why Are Check-Ups Important? Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier life. Your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices (such as what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke), and other important factors impact what and how often you need services and screenings.
Check-Up Checklist: Things to Do before Your Next Check-Up Getting check-ups is one of many things you can do to help stay healthy and prevent disease and disability. 1.
Make the appointment to see your health care provider.
This chapter includes excerpts from “Regular Check-Ups Are Important,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), January 27, 2011; and, “Check-Up Checklist,” CDC, January 29, 2010.
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Medical Tests Sourcebook, Fourth Edition 2.
Review the instructions on how to prepare for certain tests.
3.
Do the usual paperwork.
Done, right? Not quite. Before your next check-up, make sure you do the following.
Review Your Family Health History Are there any new conditions or diseases that have occurred in your close relatives since your last visit? If so, let your health care provider know. Family history might influence your risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or cancer. Your provider will assess your risk of disease based on your family history and other factors. Your provider may also recommend things you can do to help prevent disease, such as exercising more, changing your diet, or using screening tests to help detect disease early.
Find Out if You Are Due for Any General Screenings or Vaccinations Have you had the recommended screening tests based on your age, general health, family history, and lifestyle? Check with your health care provider to see if it is time for any vaccinations, follow-up exams, or tests. For example, it might be time for you to get a Pap test, mammogram, prostate cancer screening, colon cancer screening, sexually transmitted disease screening, blood pressure check, tetanus shot, eye check, or other screening.
Write a List of Issues and Questions to Take with You Review any existing health problems and note any changes: s (AVE YOU NOTICED ANY BODY CHANGES INCLUDING LUMPS OR SKIN changes? s !RE YOU HAVING PAIN DIZZINESS FATIGUE PROBLEMS WITH URINE OR stool, or menstrual cycle changes? s (AVE YOUR EATING HABITS CHANGED s !RE YOU EXPERIENCING DEPRESSION ANXIETY TRAUMA DISTRESS OR sleeping problems? If so, note when the change began, how it’s different from before, and any other observation that you think might be helpful. 4
Regular Health Exams Are Important Be honest with your provider. If you haven’t been taking your medication as directed, exercising as much, or anything else, say so. You may be at risk for certain diseases and conditions because of how you live, work, and play. Your provider develops a plan based partly on what you say you do. Help ensure that you get the best guidance by providing the most up-to-date and accurate information about you. Be sure to write your questions down beforehand. Once you’re in the office or exam room, it can be hard to remember everything you want to know. Leave room between questions to write down your provider’s answers.
Consider Your Future Are there specific health issues that need addressing concerning your future? Are you thinking about having infertility treatment, losING WEIGHT TAKING A HAZARDOUS JOB OR QUITTING SMOKING $ISCUSS ANY issues with your provider so that you can make better decisions regarding your health and safety.
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Chapter 2
Questions about Medical Tests
Asking questions about medical tests—which ones you need, which ones you don’t, and what the results tell you—can help you stay healthy and alert your doctor to the signs of a medical problem. A wide array of medical tests is available today that can detect disease or illness at an early stage, when many conditions can be treated effectively. Your physician should not prescribe tests that you do not need, but you should get the tests that are right for your age, gender, and medical history. Maybe you do not know why you need a particular test or do not understand how it will help you. Here are some questions about medical tests that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) developed to help you talk to your doctor. Ask your doctor the following: s (OW IS THE TEST DONE s 7HAT KIND OF INFORMATION WILL THE TEST PROVIDE s )S THIS TEST THE ONLY WAY TO lND OUT THAT INFORMATION s 7HAT ARE THE RISKS AND BENElTS OF HAVING THIS TEST s (OW ACCURATE IS THE TEST s 7HAT DO ) NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THE TEST Excerpted from “Navigating the Health Care System, Asking Questions about Medical Tests” by Dr. Carolyn Clancy, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), February 5, 2008.
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Medical Tests Sourcebook, Fourth Edition s 7ILL THE TEST BE UNCOMFORTABLE s (OW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET THE RESULTS AND HOW WILL ) GET THEM s 7HAT IS THE NEXT STEP AFTER THE TEST Your doctor should be able to tell you when the results of your medical test will be ready. Do not assume that everything is fine if you do not hear from your doctor. Tests results can get lost or people can think someone else gave you the results. No news is not necessarily good news. In fact, a study conducted at Harvard Medical School found that up to 33% of doctors did not always notify patients about abnormal test results. If you do not hear from your doctor, call to get your results. It is also possible that your test results are incorrect. If you, or your doctor, think the test results may not be right, retake the test. A second test can confirm or rule out a diagnosis. It is also a good idea to get information on the lab your doctor uses TO ANALYZE TEST RESULTS &OR