Cytomegalo Viral Load Detection (Quantitative) Tips

Pityriasis Rosea - How To Detect It?

Dr. Shirish Kulkarni 90% (72 ratings)
MD - Dermatology, Diploma In Dermatology And Venerology And Leprosy (DDVL), MBBS
Dermatologist, Thane
Pityriasis Rosea - How To Detect It?

Pityriasis rosea is a rash that appears on your skin most commonly between the ages of 10 and 35. It is usually harmless and a pretty common condition. It is also worth noting that pityriasis rosea does not spread from person to person. 

Causes

The exact causes of pityriasis rosea have not been identified yet. Some doctors claim that it is caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus while others claim that it is caused by an allergic reaction.

Symptoms

There is a fair number of warning signs of the pityriasis rosea rash. The symptoms may differ depending on the patient's general health condition, the climate and the season.

1. Size and appearance at first
When the rash first appears, it will have a raised border. It will be scaly and have pink patch which will either be round or oval. 2 to 10 cm is the usual size of the patch.

2. Few days or weeks later
1 or 2 cm is the size of many patches on the abdomen, back, chest, legs and arms which now appear. They sometimes spread to the neck but rarely spread to the face.

3. Back patches
The patches on the back are slightly different from the rest. They tend to be angled and look somewhat like a Christmas tree. Sometimes it is itchy but it goes away within 6 to 8 weeks.

Treatment

1. Apply anti-allergic powder or wash the body with cold water to prevent the rash and itching from worsening
2. Eat a lot of oatmeal and try bath products which have oatmeal in them 
3. Hydrocortisone cream is very good for the itchy areas on your body. However, do not use these on the face or pubic areas.
4. Use antihistamines but do not give it to your child without checking with the doctor first.
5. Apply moisturizer regularly
6. Use gentle soaps and avoid deodorant soaps as these worsen the rash and the itching
 

2029 people found this helpful

Menopause - How To Detect It?

MBBS, MS - Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fellowship in Infertility
Gynaecologist, Indore
Menopause - How To Detect It?

Menopause is the time in a woman’s life at which she cannot procreate anymore. Side effects of pre-menopause, menopause and post-menopause, shift incredibly from woman to woman. Nonetheless, normal side effects of menopause incorporate:

  1. Hot flashes
  2. Changes in eating habits
  3. Weakness
  4. Stress
  5. Tiredness
  6. Vaginal dryness and itching

The majority of the side effects connected with menopause really occur during the pre-menopause stage. A few women experience menopause with no complications or disagreeable symptoms. However, others find menopausal side effects crippling and they usually happen during pre-menopause and go on for quite a long time. The symptoms that women experience are basically identified with decreased levels of the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone. Side effects change generally due to the many impacts that these hormones have on the female body.

Your period may not be as regularly as it used to be. You may bleed heavier or lighter than usual, and at times experience spotting. Additionally, your period might be shorter or longer in time length. In case that you do miss your period, try to rule out pregnancy. In case you are not pregnant, a missed period could show the beginning of menopause. In case you start spotting after not having your period for twelve continuous months, try to converse with your specialist to discount any genuine conditions, for example, cancer.

Symptoms of untimely menopause are frequently the same as those seen by women experiencing common menopause and may include:

  1. Unpredictable or missed periods
  2. Periods that are heavier or lighter than normal
  3. Hot flashes (a sudden warmth that spreads over the abdominal area)
  4. These symptoms are an indication that the ovaries are delivering less estrogen.
  5. Vaginal dryness (the vagina may likewise get to be distinctly drier and less adaptable)
  6. Bladder fractiousness and increased loss of bladder control (incontinence)
  7. Emotional changes (crabbiness, mood swings, mellow stress)
  8. Dry skin, eyes, or mouth
  9. Restlessness
  10. Diminished sex drive

Keeping in mind the symptoms recorded above, in case that you are less than forty years old and experience any of the accompanying conditions, you need to see your specialist figure out if you are experiencing untimely menopause:

  1. You have experienced chemotherapy or radiation
  2. You or a relative has an immune system issue, for example, hypothyroidism, Graves' infection, or lupus
  3. You have unsuccessfully attempted to wind up distinctly pregnant for over a year
  4. Your mom or sister experienced untimely menopause

To analyze untimely menopause, your specialist will in all likelihood carry out a physical exam and extract blood to diagnose different conditions. The best test to diagnose menopause is AMH and FSH. They show the ovarian reserve. Low AMH value and high FSH value confirms menopause.

2732 people found this helpful

Fallopian Tube Cancer - How To Detect It?

Dr. Chandrakanth Mv 90% (139 ratings)
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), Fellowship Hemato - Oncology (Hemat-Oncology), DM(Medical Oncology), DNB(Medical Oncology)
Oncologist, Howrah
Fallopian Tube Cancer - How To Detect It?

The fallopian tubes are a couple of thin tubes that act as a vehicle in transporting a woman’s eggs (ova) from her ovaries (where they are housed) to her uterus (otherwise known as the ‘womb’) where they are either fertilized by the male sperm or disposed of during menstruation. Fallopian tube cancer, otherwise known as tubal cancer, forms in the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus.

It is hard to see a tumour or growth developing within a tube. This makes fallopian tube cancer hard to diagnose and complicated to manage as well.

If you do have fallopian tube cancer, it is vital to get a quick diagnosis as promptly as possible. This will help you to get effective treatment. However, diagnosing fallopian tube cancer can be challenging because of the following:

  1. It is an uncommon kind of cancer.

  2. The indications are vague and like those of different other conditions.

  3. Discovering a tumour inside the Fallopian tube is troublesome.

In case you have symptoms that may point at fallopian tube cancer, your specialist will conduct a thorough physical examination and get some information about your lifestyle and your family history. A pelvic examination will be done to examine your uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. If a tumour is found, your specialist will do some more tests.

At least one of the accompanying tests might be utilised to see whether you have fallopian tube cancer and if it has spread. These tests additionally might be used to see whether the treatment is working. These diagnostic tests may include the following:

  1. Ultrasound of the Pelvis: This test is helpful. However, in case that your specialist still suspects fallopian tube cancer, he or she will arrange a transvaginal ultrasound. During this test, a probe will be put into the vagina to deliver a photo of the inner organs. A transvaginal ultrasound is the best method for imaging the fallopian tubes.

  2. CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scan

  3. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan

  4. Biopsy: A sample of cells is removed from the fallopian tube and examined closely, under a microscope. This is the best way to know for sure whether you have fallopian tube cancer. This will require surgery to extract the sample cells.

  5. CA125 test: This blood test checks the levels of CA125, a known tumour marker for gynecologic cancers. An abnormal state of CA125 may mean you need to have more tests. However, it does not necessarily mean you have fallopian tube cancer. Serum levels of a marker called CA-125 can be unusually high in patients with gynecologic infections in cancer and non-cancer sorts, that is, pelvic inflammatory infection, endometriosis and early pregnancy. CA-125 can be non-specific and might be elevated because of numerous issues that are not cancer-related.

2162 people found this helpful

Look Out For These Warning Signs In Order To Detect Diabetes!

Dr. Surya Bhagwati 88% (519 ratings)
Diploma in Hospital Administration, Post Graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management (P.G.D.H.M), Diploma in Herbal Beauty Therapy & Cosmotology, Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
Ayurveda, Mumbai
Look Out For These Warning Signs In Order To Detect Diabetes!

Diabetes is a very common condition. It is a condition in which the glucose levels in the blood increase or decrease from the optimum level. Diabetes alone is very harmful to a person’s health but it also leads to problems like heart attack, kidney failure and much more. But how does one get to know if they have diabetes or not? Well, one can look out for these alarming signs that may indicate that a person is diabetic.

  1. Increased thirst is one of the most prominent symptoms of diabetes.  A person will feel like urinating all the time and too much water is lost in the process. This leads to dehydration, leaving the person thirsty.
  2. The dehydration causes the mouth to dry. Because there is no saliva, the bacteria and germs are not washed away resulting in an awful smelling breath.
  3. Diabetes triggers a process called ketosis where the body uses fat, rather than glucose, for energy. A chemical by-product of this process called ketones makes the breath smell nasty.
  4. A person tends to lose a lot of weight significantly. This is because the body is not getting enough energy to work and it uses the muscle building fats to gain energy, resulting in weight loss.
  5. Due to increased fluids in the eye’s lens, a person’s vision may also become blurry. But fortunately this symptom is reversible and one can clear up blurry vision by controlling the sugar levels.
  6. The cuts and bruises take forever to heal and sometimes a person might not even feel it. This is because the blood vessels narrow down, resulting in slow healing.
  7. Carbohydrates break down into glucose and are the main source of energy for the body. But the body can’t efficiently use it when they have diabetes. This leads to a person feeling tired. No matter how much a person rests or sleep, they will still feel tired due to lack of energy. It also makes you feel hungry all the time.
  8. Yeast infections and dark spots around the nape of the neck, armpits, even the groin area are common early sign of insulin resistance.  A person may even experience itching, burning, redness, and soreness in various parts of the body.
5 people found this helpful

Sexual Problems - How To Detect It In Men?

Dr. Prakash Phatnani 89% (33 ratings)
MBBS
Sexologist, Ajmer
Sexual Problems  - How To Detect It In Men?

Having a problem related to intimacy may make a person withdraw into his or her shell. For many men, it is difficult to talk about the issue. Yet, there are a number of sexual problems that may afflict men at some point or the other, and it is important to get these problems dealt with, in a proper manner, with the intervention of a medical practitioner.

Read on to know more about diagnosing sexual problems for men.

Physical Examination: To begin the diagnosis of any issue, the medical health practitioner will first of all, conduct a detailed physical examination that will help in unravelling a variety of details. One of the biggest things that can determine the diagnosis is the possibility of the presence or risk of any other ailment which can give the treatment method a whole new perspective. With the help of lab tests centred around the blood and urine samples, as well as skin tests, the doctor will conduct the physical examination. Also, a check-up of the vitals and the specific regions of the body will be thoroughly conducted in terms of texture, reflexes, stimulation and more. The doctor will also check for vascular diseases, neurological ailments and other such chronic ailments that may have remained undiagnosed.

Psychological Factors: Many sexual problems encountered by any member of the opposite sex can be attributed to pressing psychological problems that can shape the sex life of the patient in an adverse manner. Therefore, the doctor will also consider evaluating the issue on a psychological level. The medical practitioner may ask the patient to pay a visit to a sexologist or a psychiatrist in order to find out the root cause of any underlying stress, anxiety or even relationship issues that may be fuelling the problem at hand.

Penile Branchial Index: With the help of this test, the doctor will be able to check the blood pressure levels in the penis, which can further help in diagnosing conditions that have to do with penile vascular disorders. Papaverine is an erecting inducing element that will be administered as a test dose, to begin with. Thereafter, the penis will be monitored so as to check for normal reactions and any anomalies. A contrast dye may also be employed during this exam where its insertion into an artery can help in taking an X-ray of the region. This will help in detecting any leaks in the vascular system, which may have led to conditions like erectile dysfunction. In order to go conduct proper diagnosis, the patient will have to find a reliable doctor with whom he can discuss all kinds of symptoms and discomfort.

4926 people found this helpful

Nasal Bone Fracture - How To Detect It?

Dr. Palak Shroff Bhatti 90% (21 ratings)
MBBS, MS - ENT, DNB - ENT, Fellow- Head & Neck Onco Surgery
ENT Specialist, Mumbai
Nasal Bone Fracture - How To Detect It?

Nasal bone fracture (colloquially termed ‘the broken nose’) is a traumatic injury to one or more bones of the nose, which results in their fracture. The fracture, in turn, restricts several normal and important functions of the nose, such as breathing, smelling and protecting the air passage through secretion of the mucosa, as well as causing added discomfort in the form of bleeding, swelling and pain. Although it can be easily detected, if left untreated, the pain will not alleviate. Therefore, getting a quick diagnosis and necessary treatment is recommended.

Causes of nasal bone fracture:
This condition is caused by a variety of factors, like:

  1. Blunt, forceful injury to the area of the nose while playing sports, or during car crashes and falls from high places etc.
  2. Falls induced by syncope in the elderly, which is a sudden loss of consciousness and muscle immobilization, during which one might fall to the ground.
  3. Fights both with fists and/or with weapons, which might hit the nose and cause potent trauma.

Symptoms of nasal bone fracture:
These are the symptoms by which you can identify whether or not you have a fractured nasal bone:

  1. Pain, mostly severe, in the area in and around the nose.
  2. Difficulty in breathing.
  3. Bleeding, from light to moderate, in the area of the nose.
  4. Severe bleeding, if the nasal mucosa has sustained significant damage.
  5. A visible deformation of the nose, it becoming crooked, swollen or abnormal in appearance in a general way.
  6. Scarring, bruising, blackening and swelling of the region around the eyes too, in some cases if the injury is severe enough.

Diagnosis and treatment of nasal bone fracture:
Most of the fractures are invisible to naked eyes and are detected by physical examination and by X-rays. Generally, accompanying bleeding is also a good indicator of underlying bone fracture. 

Fort treatment, very mild to mild injuries can be left untreated to heal on their own. During diagnosis, it is important to find out whether the fracture is limited to a single bone, in which case it is minor, or has spread to adjoining bones of the face or the nasal septum. In the latter case, surgery is required, which will also require some downtime to heal for you to come back to your daily routine.

In the period immediately following a nasal bone fracture, you are advised to not engage in very physically demanding sports or stay in such situations, which have the potential to cause you injury.

Nasal bone fracture is a condition caused by blunt physical trauma to the nose, which is both easily diagnosable and treatable. In case you are displaying the above symptoms, its best to check with your doctor once and get a diagnosis. That will save significant time and money later on, as, if ignored, this condition may cause complications like any other.

3556 people found this helpful

Vision Problem - How Early Detection Can Help?

Dr. Santosh Singh Patel 88% (11 ratings)
MBBS, MS - Ophthalmology, Fellowship in (FAICO)
Ophthalmologist, Raipur
Vision Problem - How Early Detection Can Help?

As you reach the age of 40, you will likely notice changes in your vision. Perhaps you have difficulty reading a book without glasses, or distinguishing between colours. These changes occur as an effect of ageing. However, nowadays people in their teens are also exposed to a host of eye disorders and vision problems, mostly resulting from eye injuries and visual stress.

The most common disorders of the eye, which affect the age group 19-40, are Refractive errors.

The following signs and symptoms characterize such disorders-

• Haziness
• Double vision
• Halos or glares when you are surrounded by bright lights
Headaches
• Squinting
• Eyestrain

What are the Refractive errors?

Refractive errors develop when the light cannot focus on the retina (the light-sensitive tissue situated at the rear side of the eye) directly due to the shape of the eye. The change in the cornea’s shape, the ageing of the lens, or the length of your eyeball can lead to refractive errors. Most people suffer from one or more of the above conditions.

Type of Refractive Errors:

Following are the most common types of refractive errors-

Myopia or Nearsightedness - If you have this condition, you will see nearby objects clearly but distant objects will appear blurry. This happens because the light comes to focus right in front of the retina, instead of on the retina.

Hyperopia or Farsightedness - This condition is just the opposite of myopia. Distant objects are clearly visible but those located close to you appear blurry. However, some people may not observe any problem with their vision at a young age. If you have significant hyperopia, objects at any distance, far or near, can appear blurry.

Presbyopia - This age-related condition affects your ability to focus on things closely. This happens because as you age, the lens of the eye is unable to change shape to allow the eye to focus on nearby objects clearly.

Astigmatism - In this condition, the eye cannot focus light onto the retina evenly. As a result, images appear stretched out and blurry.

• Amblyopia or Lazy eye - This vision development disorder begins during early childhood and infancy. In this condition, the eye does not achieve normal visual acuity despite using contact lenses or prescribed glasses. Usually, amblyopia affects only one eye.

Can early diagnosis help treat the problem?

Yes, it can. Your eye care specialist can diagnose refractive errors and detect what exactly is impeding your vision with a comprehensive dilated eye examination. Upon encountering the symptoms mentioned above, one should consult an ophthalmologist at the earliest and get oneself checked.

If the condition is detected early, vision problems due to refractive errors can be treated. The common treatment options include the use of contact lenses, prescription glasses, and surgery (in severe cases).
People with vision problems should also adopt some lifestyle changes to correct their vision - eat more veggies, get adequate sleep and rest, abstain from smoking etc. Additionally, you should get periodic eye check-ups to monitor the condition.

4166 people found this helpful

Gall Bladder Cancer - How To Detect It?

Dr. Dilip S Rajpal 86% (15 ratings)
MBBS, MS - General Surgery, Fellowship In Advanced Laparoscopic colo-rectal & Robotic Surgery, FICS - General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery(FMAS) & Reproductive Medicine, Fellowship in Laser Varicose Vein Surgery
General Surgeon, Mumbai
Gall Bladder Cancer - How To Detect It?

Gall Bladder is a pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen below the liver. It holds bile and other digestive fluid coming from the liver. Cancer in the gall bladder is generally not detectable and get noticed in later advanced stages.

Gall Bladder cancer is very uncommon and if detected in the early stage, it may be curable for the patient. Since the signs and symptoms of gallbladder cancer are not specific and are general in nature.

Symptoms of Gall Bladder Cancer-

Symptoms of Gall Bladder cancer are general in nature:

Abdominal pain
Abdominal bloating
Nausea
Weight loss
Fever
Jaundice eyes

Causes of Gall Bladder Cancer-

The cause of Gall Bladder Cancer is still unknown. Generally, doctors see that the cells in the Gall Bladder multiply and form a tumor. These cells multiply without control and do not die. Most of the Gall Bladder Cancer starts with the production of numerous number undying glandular cells in the inner surface of gallbladder. The cancer cells only appear when observed under the microscope.

Diagnosis-

The diagnosis of gall bladder cancer is comprehensive and requires a series of blood test and organ imaging techniques. The doctors proceed with a blood test to evaluate liver functions. They also scan the abdomen and liver with CT scanning or MRI to understand the presence of a tumor or mass in the body. The imaging technique helps the doctors to determine the position of cancer
in the gallbladder and extent to which it has affected other parts of the body. Since gallbladder cancer is found in the later stages of development, there are chances that it has extended to other parts of the body by the time it has been discovered. Once the oncologists determine that the patient has gallbladder cancer, they learn its stage and whether it has affected other parts as well.
For this, doctors perform some special tests and procedures to understand the condition of cancer.

Treatment-

The gallbladder cancer surgery at an early stage is done to remove gallbladder and parts of the liver that are getting affecting due to cancer. The surgery to remove gallbladder from the body is called Cholecystectomy. It is the most common type of surgery performed for removing the cancer of the gallbladder.
If cancer has spread to other parts, it is required to remove those parts as well. Doctors may remove some parts of the liver and bile ducts so that cancer does not spread in the later years of life.
However, if the cancer is detected in the late stage, then the doctors proceed with other types of treatments which involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and various other kinds of clinical trials.

2090 people found this helpful

Fallopian Tube Cancer - Is There A Way To Detect It?

MBBS, MS - General Surgery, FRCS
Oncologist, Kolkata
Fallopian Tube Cancer - Is There A Way To Detect It?

The fallopian tubes are a couple of thin tubes that act as a vehicle in transporting a woman’s eggs (ova) from her ovaries (where they are housed) to her uterus (otherwise known as the ‘womb’) where they are either fertilized by the male sperm or disposed off during menstruation. Fallopian tube cancer, otherwise known as tubal cancer, forms in the fallopian tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus.

It is hard to see a tumour or growth developing within a tube. This makes fallopian tube cancer hard to diagnose and complicated to manage as well.

If you do have fallopian tube cancer, it is vital to get a quick diagnosis as promptly as possible. This will help you to get effective treatment. However, diagnosing fallopian tube cancer can be challenging because of the following:

  1. It is an uncommon kind of cancer.

  2. The indications are vague and like those of different other conditions.

  3. Discovering a tumour inside the Fallopian tube is troublesome.

In case you have symptoms that may point at fallopian tube cancer, your specialist will conduct a thorough physical examination and get some information about your lifestyle and your family history. A pelvic examination will be done to examine your uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina. If a tumour is found, your specialist will do some more tests.

At least one of the accompanying tests might be utilised to see whether you have fallopian tube cancer and if it has spread. These tests additionally might be used to see whether the treatment is working. These diagnostic tests may include the following:

  1. Ultrasound of the Pelvis: This test is helpful. However, in case that your specialist still suspects fallopian tube cancer, he or she will arrange a transvaginal ultrasound. During this test, a probe will be put into the vagina to deliver a photo of the inner organs. A transvaginal ultrasound is the best method for imaging the fallopian tubes.

  2. CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scan

  3. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan

  4. Biopsy: A sample of cells is removed from the fallopian tube and examined closely, under a microscope. This is the best way to know for sure whether you have fallopian tube cancer. This will require surgery to extract the sample cells.

  5. CA125 test: This blood test checks the levels of CA125, a known tumour marker for gynecologic cancers. An abnormal state of CA125 may mean you need to have more tests. However, it does not necessarily mean you have fallopian tube cancer. Serum levels of a marker called CA-125 can be unusually high in patients with gynecologic infections in cancer and non-cancer sorts, that is, pelvic inflammatory infection, endometriosis and early pregnancy. CA-125 can be non-specific and might be elevated because of numerous issues that are not cancer related.

3184 people found this helpful

Fallopian Tube Cancer - How It Can Be Detected?

Dr. Sajjan Rajpurohit 87% (45 ratings)
MBBS, MD - Oncology, DNB - Super Speciality, Immuno Oncology
Oncologist, Delhi
Fallopian Tube Cancer - How It Can Be Detected?

The fallopian tubes are a pair of thin tubes that transport the egg from the ovaries to the uterus. They can either be fertilized or discarded along the process of menstruation. The ovary release one egg every month and the cilia (hair-like projections inside the uterus) transports them to the ovary. This is a normal process for all women who have attended the reproductive age.

When cancer develops?
An abnormal growth of the malignant cells in the fallopian tubes leads to fallopian tube cancer. Most of the cancer that occurs in the fallopian tube is known as papillary serous adenocarcinomas. These are cancers that originate from the abnormal cells of the fallopian tube. When cells have the capability to invade other organs or spread to surrounding cells of the organ, there are high chances of tumor formation. When tumors are formed from the smooth cells of the fallopian tube, they are known as leiomyosarcomas.

The potential causes and risks involved
Out of all gynecological cancers, primary fallopian tube cancer accounts for no more than one percent. The most common age segment for this case is from 40 to 65 and is more frequently diagnosed in Caucasian women as compared to African women. While the exact causes and risk factors of fallopian tube cancer are not known, some conditions that are commonly associated with this condition involves chronic inflammation of the fallopian tube, repeated infection in the ovarian region, prolonged usage of birth control pills. Apart from this, a family history of fallopian tube cancer poses a woman at greater risk of inheriting this. Genetic mutation is also known to be causing this condition.

The early signs
Some of the evident signs of fallopian tube cancer include vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, and vaginal bleeding. The pain is of dull or colicky nature.

Diagnosing the cancer
A pelvic examination that involves a thorough investigation of the vagina, fallopian tube, ovaries, and uterus can show signs of fallopian tube cancer. A Pap smear test by scraping off a sample of the cervix is done and tested for malignancy. Many doctors are of the view that an ultrasound test helps to detect fallopian tube cancer. Some doctors might even order a transvaginal ultrasound to get a detailed view of the fallopian tube. Apart from this, other lab tests and imaging tests are also necessary to zero in on the diagnosis.

Know the cure
The treatment plan is decided after evaluation the stage of cancer, the current health of the patient, previous medical history, etc. The common course of a treatment plan is a surgery to ensure that all cancer-affected part of the fallopian tube is completely removed followed by a chemotherapy plan to ensure that cancer doesn’t spread to other organs of the body. In some cases, radiation therapy is also used before the surgery to shrink the size of the tumor.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

4394 people found this helpful