Du Test Tips

Scientists are constantly devising tests in order to detect cancers before the signs and symptoms are seen. These tests are known as screening tests. The objective of a screening test is:

1. reduce the number of people who will die from the disease (eliminate deaths due to cancer)
2. reduce the development of cancer

Each cancer has its own different kind of screening tests. Not all screening tests are effective but they do give a general idea.

A cervical smear test is often known as a Pap test and is done to establish the changes that might have occurred in cells of the cervix. A small sample of cells is taken from the surface of the cervix and is tested for any abnormalities. The sample is spread on a slide or in some cases mixed with a liquid fixative and studied under a microscope. It is one of the most popular methods to test the abnormalities in your cells and can pinpoint point cervical cancers.

The procedure of typical Pap smear:

The test is mostly recommended when you do not have the periods as the blood can interfere with the results. Also, before taking the test discuss with your doctor about the medications you are taking and in case you are under any birth control pills. No other special preparations are needed for the Pap test. Feel free to discuss with your doctor about the impact the test will have on you or on the painlevels, etc.The test is done by inserting a speculum into the vagina, which spreads it further. Later, a swab is inserted to get the samples of cells from your cervix. The cells from the vagina are also collected in some cases and tested accordingly.

The risks involved:

There no chances of risks when you go for such tests. You might feel a bit of pressure in your vaginal region and may experience a small bleeding after the testing. However, this is extremely normal. Also, there is no pain involved. If you experience heavy period and blood loss, you might experience minor discomfort when the test is being done.

The final result:

Once the test is done, the results would be available usually within a week. The results can be categorized into normal and abnormal. If your cells are normal and no abnormality is found then the condition is termed as a normal result. In the case of abnormality in the cell structure, then it requires further evaluation and diagnosis to rule out cancer.

Advancement in science and technology has largely contributed to the field of medicine. The methods of diagnosis for some of the very serious conditions have become readily available for the masses. Furthermore, there are a number of diagnostic tests in cardiology that give details about the condition of the heart. These tests help to find out which treatment options are best suited for the patient. Some of the most common among them include Echocardiography (also called echocardiogram test), Treadmill Test (TMT), and Electrocardiogram (ECG).

Echocardiography

An Echocardiography test is a visual outline of the movement of the heart. It is a test in which sound waves are used to produce live pictures of the heart. The picture is referred to as echocardiography. The doctor can monitor how the heart and its valves are working. The images help them spot fluid in the sac around the heart, blood clots in the heart, issues with the aorta (the most important artery connected to the heart) among several other possible complications.

Echocardiography is a pain-free test which can be done in the hospital or in the doctor’s office. The test normally takes up to half an hour. A standard or quality-based echo does not require any particular follow-up or preparations. A heart specialist or cardiologist will examine the results from the echo. After having echo, a person normally goes back to normal activities immediately.

Treadmill Test (TMT)

In a treadmill test, a person is asked to exercise on a treadmill and he or she is hooked up to the machine called electrocardiogram machine. This process allows the doctor to monitor the heart rate. The treadmill test is also known as an Exercise Stress test. This test helps the doctor determine if the heart receives sufficient oxygen and proper flow of blood when exercising. It could be directed for those who have been experiencing symptoms of coronary heart disease (which is also called coronary artery disease) and pain in the chest. This test is usually considered safe. But some exceptional risks include fainting, collapsing, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and heart attack.

However, these instances are rare since the test is usually performed under the supervision of a cardiologist so that any kind of emergency during the test can be effectively managed.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

The electrocardiogram is the oldest and the simplest of all the methods of cardiac investigation. It is an image of the electrical conduction that record the patterns of electrical signals in the heart. It is a very common test used to find out the heart problems and detect the status of the heart in many situations.

During an ECG, electrodes/sensors are attached to the chest and sometimes to the limbs for monitoring the electrical activity of the heart. This test is painless and non- invasive which provides quick results.

Take Away

These are some of the tests to detect heart problems. However, doctors recommend these tests depending upon an individual’s health condition.

Psychological tests are standardized and objective measures of a typical behavioral sample. ‘Sample behavior’ implies one’s performance on certain tasks that had been assigned to him/her beforehand. Different types of psychological assessment are used to find out the behaviour based on different principles which we discussed here:

What are the principles of a well-conducted psychology test?

Check out the list of principles of psychological testing which are Objectivity, Validity, Reliability, and Standardization, get more details of them given below:

1. Objectivity: A scoring method so that biases and other subjective judgments can be minimized.
2. Test norms: Comparing one’s performance and scores with the other respondents based on a point of reference or other points of comparison.
3. Validity: The psychological test that is being administered should be able to consistently measure what it is supposed to.
4. Standardization: All psychological tests must be performed under the same controlled environments so that there is consistency and standardization among the tests and the results achieved.
5. Reliability: Getting the very same results after repeated testing.

Various Types of Psychological Tests

Different types of Psychological assessment test are created to find out different perspectives of the person in terms of knowledge, skill, personality, reaction, and more:

1. Achievement/IQ Tests: While an achievement test is a measure of one’s developed knowledge or skill, IQ tests, on the other hand, provide measures of intelligence and other cognitive faculties. A standardized test is the most common example of an achievement test that provides insight into the respondent’s knowledge and skills in a particular field of expertise or a particular grade level. In these kinds of psychological tests, the respondent is given a series of tasks, at the end of which, the respondent will be graded according to prescribed guidelines.
2. Attitude Tests: These psychological tests try and assess the respondent’s reaction towards a certain event, object, or another person. In the marketing field, attitude ranks or scales are used to find out the group or individual preferences for items or brands. Generally, either a Likert or a Thurstone scale is used in these types of tests.
3. Neuropsychological tests: These consist of a series of carefully designed tasks that are known to trigger one’s a psychological function which is believed to be linked to a typical nerve pathway or a specific brain structure. These psychological tests can primarily be used in a clinical/medical context in order to determine any impairment of one’s neurocognitive functioning that might have been a result of an injury or an illness.
4. Personality Tests: These are either projective (answers are more subjective and unrestricted to any scale or measure) or objective tests (mainly consisting of true/false responses; responses which are restricted to a scale).
5. Observation (Direct) Tests: In this psychological tests, used for research work, direct observation tests allow for observing the behavior of the respondent as he/she completes certain tasks and activities. Examples would be a test to determine the parent-child relationship or assessing the basic symptoms of ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) in a child with the help of a test conducted inside a controlled class environment.
6. Aptitude/Interest Tests: As the name suggests, aptitude psychological tests help gauge the respondent’s aptitudes such as spatial, numerical, clerical, or mechanical aptitudes. Interest tests are designed to find out the participant’s areas of interest, the results of which are used for purposes such as career counseling. If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult a psychologist.

Other types of psychological assessment tests are also conducted to more about personal behavior. You can also consult qualified mental health professionals to know about psychology specialist.

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The A1C test throws light on a person’s average blood glucose level for a stretch of 3 months. It goes by the name of HbA1C, glycohemoglobin or haemoglobin A1c test. This is the only test that is used for research and effective diabetes management.

How does it work?
The A1C measures the attachment of glucose to the haemoglobin. The latter is a protein that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. The RBC in the body keeps dying and regenerating. But, on an average, stays in the body for 3 months. Hence the A1C test tries to measure the count of glucose for 3 months to get a right count of the glucose. This is measured in terms of percentage, normal being less than 5.7 percent.

Can A1C measure type 2 pre-diabetes and diabetes?
In the year 2009, a group of scientists from the International Expert Committee suggested that it is entirely possible to detect type 2 diabetes. Earlier, only the blood glucose test could detect the pre-diabetes and diabetes. Since A1C test does not require fasting and can be undertaken at any time of the day, more and more people can undertake this test and refrain from the risk of undetected diabetes.

Why is testing required?
Testing is particularly essential since diabetes doesn’t show any early signs or symptoms. Testing ensures that diabetes is detected on time and unnecessary complications can be avoided. With right medicines, type 2 diabetes can even be prevented from occurring.

Has the test improved?
The A1C test has improved over the years. It has now been standardised. The accuracy of this test has been further increased by the National glycohemoglobin Standardisation Program. The major goal of the latter is to block the risk of getting complicated diseases such as blindness and diseases related to blood vessels.

A1C test be performed during pregnancy?
The A1C test can be performed during pregnancy to understand if a person had diabetes before becoming pregnant. Post the confirmation, OGTT is used to find out if a woman is suffering from gestational diabetes. Post the delivery, a woman should be tested to find out if the diabetes is persistent. The A1C test can be performed post 12 weeks of delivery rather than a blood glucose test to find out the persistence of diabetes in a pregnant woman.

A1C comes into play after detection of Diabetes?
The A1C test is used to monitor the glucose levels and detect the type 1 or type 2 diabetes to start with. Health care providers may ask a patient to undergo this test thrice to four times in a year. Based on the results of this test, medications of a patient is adjusted by a doctor. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Few tests are needed before starting the treatment in an Infertile Couple.

These include

1) Semen Analysis of the Husband

2) Wife's Blood test for AMH, Rubella and Thalassemia

3) Wife's TVS to look for the ovaries and the uterus

4) Wife's HSG to look for the Fallopian Tubes.

In majority of the cases, treatment can be started after these tests. Only in some cases, further tests are necessary.

Why further tests are often unnecessary?

1) For any disease, we should do the tests ONLY when the test will give important information that is helpful to change the decision for treatment. If a test does not change the decision, it is not helpful.

2) There are thousands of tests. It does NOT make any sense that you have all those and then start treatment.

3) In some cases, the treatment procedure may be expensive. If you spend too much in the tests, it's difficult to carry out the actual treatment.

Let's see different other tests.

Laparoscopy- 

You know, it is a tyle of "Microsurgery" by which a camera is inserted inside the abdomen to look for the uterus and ovaries in the best manner. But it's a major surgery, so it should be done only in few cases like 

A) If both the tubes are blocked. If ONLY ONE TUBE is blocked, there is no need of Laparoscopy.

B) If there is Hydrosalpinx (Swollen Tubes), Large Cysts in the ovaries, Large Fibroids in the uterus or severe pain during menstruation.

Therefore, in each and every case of Infertility, Laparoscopy is NOT NEEDED.

Hysteroscopy- 

It involves inserting a camera to see inside the uterus. It's also a surgery and therefore should ONLY be done, if there are

A) Abnormal bleeding, polyps or Fibroids inside the uterus or birth defects 

B) In some cases of repeated IVF Failure. 

So, Hysteroscopy is not Essential in each case of Infertility.

TORCH testing- 

It involves testing of some organisms like Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes and Syphilis. Previously the test was done if there was Repeated Miscarriage.

Now it has been scientifically proven that TORCH cannot cause repeated miscarriage. These infections cannot cause Infertility. Therefore, TORCH test is UNNECESSARY. 

Only case, where the TORCH testing is necessary, in the previous pregnancy, the baby died inside the uterus and no cause was found.

However, Rubella test is necessary to prevent this infection affecting your baby.

Anti Phospho Lipid Antibody (APLA) testing- 

It involves testing for Lupus Anti Coagulant, Anti Cardiolipin and Anti beta 2 glycoprotein. These are essential if you had previous repeated miscarriage.

But if you did not have previous repeated miscarriage, testing for APLA is unnecessary and is the waste of money.

Karyotyping- 

It means a blood test to check for the chromosomes. It is needed only in few cases

A) In a man with very low sperm count or Azoospermia and the testicles are not functioning.

B) In a women with early menopause.

C) In a couple with previous repeated miscarriage or previous baby with chromosomal abnormalities.

In other cases, this test is not necessary.

Semen Culture-

This means testing the semen for infection. This is needed only if there is suspicion of infection in the husband (pain or abnormal discharge, some cases of abnormal semen).

Therefore, we can start treatment of Infertility only after few tests.

Psychological assessment — also known as psychological testing — is done to help a psychologist better understand an individual and provide valuable insights into the individual’s behavior, skills, thoughts and personality. Psychological testing commonly includes intelligence testing, personality testing, and skills testing, among other areas.

Psychological assessment is never focused on a single test score or number. Every person has a range of competencies that can be evaluated through a number of methods. A psychologist is there to evaluate the competencies as well as the limitations of the person, and report on them in an objective but helpful manner. A psychological assessment report will not only note weaknesses found in testing, but also the individual’s strengths.

It has often ben said that 'you are what you think'. It is the human mind which enabled the entire race to dominate over the planet over millions of other species. How can this very complex instrument is so difficult to understand? The human mind is capable of extreme highs and lows in terms of every aspect such as emotions, achievement, empathy anger and so forth. One field of study is Psychology which does help us in its understanding. 

What are psychological tests?

Psychological tests are a method to gauge various parameters of an individual’s mind and how it works. There are not one but multiple psychological tests which help with determining various aspects of a person’s mental functioning and capabilities among others. Like medical tests such as X-rays and various types of blood reports help us get a better picture of the condition of your body, similarly, psychological testing helps us a get a better view of a person’s thinking and if at all there are any problems with it. Just a few examples of psychological testing are as follows – 

1. Aptitude testing in children to check for learning disabilities 
2. Testing for skills such as dexterity or flexibility, and reaction time to look for brain damage or dementia
3. Memory tests to look for psychological disorders as well as dementia
4. Testing for anxiety related disorders especially in social conditions, both in children and adults

How are these helpful?
More than pinpointing psychological disorders, these tests are meant to help an individual point out problems and then start on a treatment or therapy to overcome the problems. These tests can help a person in many ways such as – 

1. Identifying problems early on when they are mild, thus making treatment more effective
2. Help them further in studies or their career where certain conditions or problems were becoming an impediment
3. Provide methods to tackle a phobia
4. Sometimes, psychological testing is very helpful in diagnosing serious mental issues such as depression which may force many to take their own lives; thus preventing it
5. Helping to combat physiological problems in cases where no pathological causes are found. In many cases, stress and anxiety lead to other disorders like diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal troubles and others. Once the psychological side is treated after correct diagnosis, the physical problems also tend to dissipate.

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

Psychological assessment — also known as psychological testing — is done to help a psychologist better understand an individual and provide valuable insights into the individual’s behavior, skills, thoughts and personality. Psychological testing commonly includes intelligence testing, personality testing, and skills testing, among other areas.

Psychological assessment is never focused on a single test score or number. Every person has a range of competencies that can be evaluated through a number of methods. A psychologist is there to evaluate the competencies as well as the limitations of the person, and report on them in an objective but helpful manner. A psychological assessment report will not only note weaknesses found in testing, but also the individual’s strengths.

It has often ben said that 'you are what you think'. It is the human mind which enabled the entire race to dominate over the planet over millions of other species. How can this very complex instrument is so difficult to understand? The human mind is capable of extreme highs and lows in terms of every aspect such as emotions, achievement, empathy anger and so forth. One field of study is Psychology which does help us in its understanding. 

What are psychological tests?

Psychological tests are a method to gauge various parameters of an individual’s mind and how it works. There are not one but multiple psychological tests which help with determining various aspects of a person’s mental functioning and capabilities among others. Like medical tests such as X-rays and various types of blood reports help us get a better picture of the condition of your body, similarly, psychological testing helps us a get a better view of a person’s thinking and if at all there are any problems with it. Just a few examples of psychological testing are as follows – 

1. Aptitude testing in children to check for learning disabilities 
2. Testing for skills such as dexterity or flexibility, and reaction time to look for brain damage or dementia
3. Memory tests to look for psychological disorders as well as dementia
4. Testing for anxiety related disorders especially in social conditions, both in children and adults

How are these helpful?
More than pinpointing psychological disorders, these tests are meant to help an individual point out problems and then start on a treatment or therapy to overcome the problems. These tests can help a person in many ways such as – 

1. Identifying problems early on when they are mild, thus making treatment more effective
2. Help them further in studies or their career where certain conditions or problems were becoming an impediment
3. Provide methods to tackle a phobia
4. Sometimes, psychological testing is very helpful in diagnosing serious mental issues such as depression which may force many to take their own lives; thus preventing it
5. Helping to combat physiological problems in cases where no pathological causes are found. In many cases, stress and anxiety lead to other disorders like diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal troubles and others. Once the psychological side is treated after correct diagnosis, the physical problems also tend to dissipate. 

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

Psychological assessment — also known as psychological testing — is done to help a psychologist better understand an individual and provide valuable insights into the individual’s behavior, skills, thoughts and personality. Psychological testing commonly includes intelligence testing, personality testing, and skills testing, among other areas.

Psychological assessment is never focused on a single test score or number. Every person has a range of competencies that can be evaluated through a number of methods. A psychologist is there to evaluate the competencies as well as the limitations of the person, and report on them in an objective but helpful manner. A psychological assessment report will not only note weaknesses found in testing, but also the individual’s strengths.

It has often been said that 'you are what you think'. It is the human mind which enabled the entire race to dominate over the planet over millions of other species. How can this very complex instrument is so difficult to understand? The human mind is capable of extreme highs and lows in terms of every aspect such as emotions, achievement, empathy anger and so forth. One field of study is Psychology which does help us in its understanding. 

What are psychological tests?

Psychological tests are a method to gauge various parameters of an individual’s mind and how it works. There are not one but multiple psychological tests which help with determining various aspects of a person’s mental functioning and capabilities among others. Like medical tests such as X-rays and various types of blood reports help us get a better picture of the condition of your body, similarly, psychological testing helps us a get a better view of a person’s thinking and if at all there are any problems with it. Just a few examples of psychological testing are as follows – 

1. Aptitude testing in children to check for learning disabilities 
2. Testing for skills such as dexterity or flexibility, and reaction time to look for brain damage or dementia
3. Memory tests to look for psychological disorders as well as dementia
4. Testing for anxiety related disorders especially in social conditions, both in children and adults

How are these helpful?
More than pinpointing psychological disorders, these tests are meant to help an individual point out problems and then start on a treatment or therapy to overcome the problems. These tests can help a person in many ways such as – 

1. Identifying problems early on when they are mild, thus making treatment more effective
2. Help them further in studies or their career where certain conditions or problems were becoming an impediment
3. Provide methods to tackle a phobia
4. Sometimes, psychological testing is very helpful in diagnosing serious mental issues such as depression which may force many to take their own lives; thus preventing it
5. Helping to combat physiological problems in cases where no pathological causes are found. In many cases, stress and anxiety lead to other disorders like diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal troubles and others. Once the psychological side is treated after correct diagnosis, the physical problems also tend to dissipate.