Cholesterol measurement
High levels of the 'bad' kinds of cholesterol and other blood fats (lipids) raise your risk for heart attack, stroke and other major maladies. Specifically, a type of blood fat called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and fats in the blood called triglycerides promote the build-up of artery-narrowing plaque and up your heart disease risk: Not all types of cholesterol are bad, however. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or 'good' cholesterol actually protects against heart disease. keeping bad cholesterol levels low and good cholesterol levels high is essential for good health.
About the test. A cholesterol blood test measures various components of fats in your blood:
How is it done? Blood is drawn, usually from your arm, and sent to a laboratory, where lipid levels are measured. Let your doctor know of any drugs or supplements you may be taking as some may interfere with test results. Eat your normal diet for a week prior to the test; your doctor will instruct you on fasting 12 to 14 hours before the test. Don't drink alcohol for a day before the test.
How often is it needed? The National Heart Foundation recommends cholesterol screening for all healthy people from age 55. Most experts suggest that you have your cholesterol checked every three years if you are healthy and not at high risk for heart disease. Initial tests should measure total cholesterol as well as levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
You'll need these tests more often if..
Various testing kits are available for monitoring your cholesterol levels at home. For the tests, you prick your finger with a lancet device to draw a drop or two of blood, which is then placed on a special test strip. After a few minutes, the test strip changes colour. Matching the colour chagne to a chart gives you your total cholesterol number.
Getting only your total cholesterol rather than levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides (all of which are important for assessing your overall heart disease risk) is a key drawback to these home tests. In fact, a normal result on a home cholesterol test can give you a false sense of security if, for instance, your HDL levels are dangerously low. If you already have high cholesterol or are at high risk for heart disease, it's important that you get regular cholesterol tests at your doctor's surgery, including an assessment of levels of the different types of blood fats.
Colon Testing
Various procedures including the faecal occult blood test and sigmoidoscopy (below) and the colonscopy and digital rectal examination (see on previous) are available for detecting cancer and other problems in the colon or rectum-- the lowest parts of your digestive tract. Early detection of cancer is essential, offering a high likelihood of cure. It is important not to forego these tests because of embarrassemtn or unpleasantness. They are critical for saving lives.
Faecal occult blood test (FOBT)
About the test. This is an inexpesnsive method for detecting the presence of hidden (or occult) blood in your faeces which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Blood may be a sign of colon cancer or a
precancerous polyp in the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding gums, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease and haemorrhoids are other causes.
How is it done? Your doctor will give you a kit for taking samples of your stool at home. Using a wooden appliactor, you smear a stool sample on a specimen card on three consective days then promptly drop the samples at the doctor's surgery or mail them to pathology for analysis.
How often is it needed? Experts recommend that everyone have a faecal oocult blood test every year starting at age 50.
Sigmoidoscopy
About the test. Your doctor performs sigmoidoscopy to check for polyps, cancer, bowel inflammation, haemorrhoids and other problems in the lower third of your colon.
How is it done? At your doctor's surgery you will be asked to undress and lie on your side on a table with your knees drawn up, a cloth draped over you for modesty. Your doctor will first perform a digital rectal examination. Then a thin, flexible, lighted veiwing tube called a sigmoidoscope si inserted into your anus and rectum and slowly advanced up the lower 60 cm of your colon to view the walls of your bowel. If polyps are found, they may be removed and sent to pathology for analysis. Sometimes sedatives are given for mild cramping. The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes. You may have some wind afterwards. If you have any fever, bleeding or pain, call your doctor.
How often is it needed? The role of sigmoidoscopy as a screening procedure is still the subject of much debate. Proponents recommend the test every five years. If abnormalities are found, a follow-up colonscopy may be required.
You'll need these tests more often if..
A sigmoidoscopy enables the doctor to check your anus, rectum and lower 60 cm of colon; a colonoscopy, which uses a longer viewing tube, surverys the entire colon from rectum to caecum.
High levels of the 'bad' kinds of cholesterol and other blood fats (lipids) raise your risk for heart attack, stroke and other major maladies. Specifically, a type of blood fat called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and fats in the blood called triglycerides promote the build-up of artery-narrowing plaque and up your heart disease risk: Not all types of cholesterol are bad, however. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) or 'good' cholesterol actually protects against heart disease. keeping bad cholesterol levels low and good cholesterol levels high is essential for good health.
About the test. A cholesterol blood test measures various components of fats in your blood:
- Total cholesterol. This is the sum of HDL plus LDL, measured in millimol per litre of blood (mmol/L). Experts recommend the level of total cholesterol be kept under 5 mmol/L and suggest that the HDL level within this number should be kept at 25 percent or more of the total levels.
- LDL ('bad') cholesterol. LDL levels should be kept below 3 mmol/L if possible. Levels lower than 2.5 mmol/L are considered near or above optimal; between 2.5 mmol/L are considered near or above optimal; between 2.5 mmol/L and 3.5 mmol/L is normal and over 3.5 mmol/L is high.
- HDL ('good') cholesterol HDL levels above 1 mmol/L are considered to be protective against heart disease. Conversely, levels lower than 1 mmol/L put you at high risk.
- Triglycerides. Levels lower than 2 mmol/L are considered normal; levels of 2-4 mmol/L are considered to be borderline-high and levels of 4 mmol/L or more are considered high.
How is it done? Blood is drawn, usually from your arm, and sent to a laboratory, where lipid levels are measured. Let your doctor know of any drugs or supplements you may be taking as some may interfere with test results. Eat your normal diet for a week prior to the test; your doctor will instruct you on fasting 12 to 14 hours before the test. Don't drink alcohol for a day before the test.
How often is it needed? The National Heart Foundation recommends cholesterol screening for all healthy people from age 55. Most experts suggest that you have your cholesterol checked every three years if you are healthy and not at high risk for heart disease. Initial tests should measure total cholesterol as well as levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides.
You'll need these tests more often if..
- You are obese and/or physically inactive.
- You have diabetes
- You have a family history of heart disease.
- You already have high cholesterol.
- ALL OF THE ABOVE: you should have your cholesterol checked by a doctor every 12 months because you could be at high risk for coronary heart disease. Cholesterol tests can help evaluate the success of weight loss and exercise regimens as well as assess the effectiveness of cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Various testing kits are available for monitoring your cholesterol levels at home. For the tests, you prick your finger with a lancet device to draw a drop or two of blood, which is then placed on a special test strip. After a few minutes, the test strip changes colour. Matching the colour chagne to a chart gives you your total cholesterol number.
Getting only your total cholesterol rather than levels of HDL, LDL and triglycerides (all of which are important for assessing your overall heart disease risk) is a key drawback to these home tests. In fact, a normal result on a home cholesterol test can give you a false sense of security if, for instance, your HDL levels are dangerously low. If you already have high cholesterol or are at high risk for heart disease, it's important that you get regular cholesterol tests at your doctor's surgery, including an assessment of levels of the different types of blood fats.
Colon Testing
Various procedures including the faecal occult blood test and sigmoidoscopy (below) and the colonscopy and digital rectal examination (see on previous) are available for detecting cancer and other problems in the colon or rectum-- the lowest parts of your digestive tract. Early detection of cancer is essential, offering a high likelihood of cure. It is important not to forego these tests because of embarrassemtn or unpleasantness. They are critical for saving lives.
Faecal occult blood test (FOBT)
About the test. This is an inexpesnsive method for detecting the presence of hidden (or occult) blood in your faeces which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Blood may be a sign of colon cancer or a
precancerous polyp in the gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding gums, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease and haemorrhoids are other causes.
How is it done? Your doctor will give you a kit for taking samples of your stool at home. Using a wooden appliactor, you smear a stool sample on a specimen card on three consective days then promptly drop the samples at the doctor's surgery or mail them to pathology for analysis.
How often is it needed? Experts recommend that everyone have a faecal oocult blood test every year starting at age 50.
Sigmoidoscopy
About the test. Your doctor performs sigmoidoscopy to check for polyps, cancer, bowel inflammation, haemorrhoids and other problems in the lower third of your colon.
How is it done? At your doctor's surgery you will be asked to undress and lie on your side on a table with your knees drawn up, a cloth draped over you for modesty. Your doctor will first perform a digital rectal examination. Then a thin, flexible, lighted veiwing tube called a sigmoidoscope si inserted into your anus and rectum and slowly advanced up the lower 60 cm of your colon to view the walls of your bowel. If polyps are found, they may be removed and sent to pathology for analysis. Sometimes sedatives are given for mild cramping. The procedure takes 10 to 15 minutes. You may have some wind afterwards. If you have any fever, bleeding or pain, call your doctor.
How often is it needed? The role of sigmoidoscopy as a screening procedure is still the subject of much debate. Proponents recommend the test every five years. If abnormalities are found, a follow-up colonscopy may be required.
You'll need these tests more often if..
- You have had colon cancer.
- You have a family history of the disease.
- ALL OF THE ABOVE: an FOBT and sigmoidoscopy before 50; discuss frequency with your doctor.
No comments:
Post a Comment