Medicine and Health related Information

1. CHOLESTROL-
If the concentration of cholesterol in blood exceeds the normal level then it may lead to increase deposition of fat leading to heart diseases and paralysis. One can easily know his cholesterol level by undergoing blood test. We can know the low density lipoprotein level (LDL) and high density lipoprotein level (HDL) by test. If LDL concentration is more then fat may get deposit and increases the risk of heart attack. So LDL is called “Bad cholesterol”. HDL wont allows fat to get deposited in the blood vessels so it is called “Good Cholesterol”. More of HDL and low amount of LDL is preferred for health. So women who crossed 45 years of age and don’t show risk factors should also get check up for cholesterol test every 5 years where as those who show risk factors should undergo test every year. Women who are found positive for diabetes and Blood pressure should also undergo cholesterol test. The children belonging to families suffering from “Familial hypercholesterolemia” should also undergo cholesterol test for every 2-3 years.

2. DIABETES-
If the blood glucose level exceeds the normal level it leads to diabetes. It occurs because of decrease secretion of insulin by pancreas or because of improper usage of insulin by muscles, genes present in fat.
Diabetes is of 3 types-
Type 1 diabetes which is usually seen among children’s, teenagers.
Type 2 diabetes may affect anyone of any stage.
GESTATATIONAL DIABETES occurs among women who are pregnant. Because of this reason pregnant women should undergo diabetes test between 20-22 weeks of pregnancy.
It is also recommended for every woman to undergo diabetes test after crossing the age of 45.

3. BONE DENSITY TEST-
Women who crosses 50 years of age are commonly affected by osteoporosis. The test used to detect osteoporosis is called bone density test. It is a diseased in which there is loss of bone mass, due to loss of calcium and few related minerals. In India among women who reach menopause are more frequently affected. Menopause leads to lack of estrogen production which in turn leads to this disease. Women who are lean and women whose family has a history of osteoporosis are at more risk of this disease. Osteoporosis is seen in 50% of women who crossed 60 years of age and 90% who crossed 80.
It is very easy to detect osteoporosis through bone density test. The patients who are affected by osteoporosis and suffer from severe pain in bone are tested by bone densitometer (desk scan) around back bone and hip bone region. Osteoporosis can be prevented by regular exercise, by consuming foods which contain high quantity of calcium like milk and milk products.

4. POPSMEAR-
The test used to detect cervical cancer is called pop smear test. Cervix is a part of uterus. The chances of cervical cancer are more when compared to other types of cancer. In addition to it, it is possible to detect cervical cancer during pre-cancer stage where as it is quiet difficult and almost to detect prostate cancer during early stages. Note that it may take about 10 years for a pre-cancer stage to change into cancer. Normally most women undergo pop smear test routinely whether they do or do not show risk symptoms.
It is must for every woman who crosses 25- 30 years age to undergo pop smear test every year. Pop smear is a simple test which doesn’t involve any pain. Normally the test is usually called screening test and diagnostic test.
In western countries women who are in reproductive age and those who are actively involved in their sexual life keep undergoing pop smear test.

5. MYELOGRAM-
The test used to detect breast cancer is called myelogram. Myelogram is like making an X-ray of breast. If the breast cancer is detected in the first stage then it can be treated even with mastectomy (removal of breast). The time duration for this test is about 5-10 minutes and it don’t involve any pain. Women who crossed their 40 should undergo this test every year and those who have a family history should start undergoing this test as early as 30 years of age. Myelogram is not a screening test. This test is strongly recommended for women who have a family history especially from the maternal side. Sometimes women who are detected with cervical cancer are also advised to undergo myelogram test.

6. COMPLETE BLOOD PICTURE or BLOOD COUNT-
The test used to count RBC, WBC and platelets is called complete blood picture. It is quiet common that Indian women suffer from loss of blood. Moreover because of menstruation women lose about half liter of blood every year which is equal to 2 times of blood donation. That means even though they do or do not donate blood they lose a lot of blood in the form of menstruation. Test is based upon the deciliter of hemoglobin. Normally 11 mg/dc – 16 mg/dc is normal. Along with it, it is also useful to detect other types of blood cells like eosonophils, basophophils, neutrophils etc. Even the platelet count can be known by blood picture test.

I hope this information is useful especially for women.