Serious Diseases that a Blood Test Can Detect
There are numerous serious diseases that a blood test can detect.
Sometimes a blood test will only detect a disease marker, but others will outright reveal presence of the medical condition.
For example, there are blood tests that detect markers for cancer, but these are not diagnostic. They serve to guide a doctor in the next steps.
These include the PSA test for prostate cancer and the CA-125 test for ovarian cancer.
One interesting blood test is called the D-dimer. It’s given to people who present with symptoms suspicious for a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot that has traveled to the lungs).
However, a positive D-dimer result doesn’t always mean a blood clot. The result is often positive in elderly people simply because they are old.
The younger a person is who has a positive D-dimer, the more likely it WILL mean a blood clot somewhere in the body.
“Blood tests can be done for a variety of reasons,” says Walter Gaman, MD, FABFM, board certified in family medicine and the author of several award-winning books including “Age to Perfection: How to Thrive to 100, Happy, Healthy, and Wise.”
“They can shed a good amount of information about a person’s health or disease state, but they are not always definitive.
“For example, a complete blood count may reveal that a patient’s white count is elevated, a sign of infection, but it does not tell the doctor what type of infection.
“On the contrary, a blood test that is more specific, like tests for hepatitis, may tell the doctor if the patient has been exposed previous or if they have a current infection.
Blood tests are often given when the following conditions are suspected:
• Anemia
• Celiac disease
• Heart attack (though other conditions can cause elevated troponin such as rhabdomyalysis, but in patients presenting to the ER with chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, etc., the troponin test is used to diagnose or rule out heart attack.)
• Genetic disorders (e.g., Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Down syndrome)
• Leukemia
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic disease
• Systemic infection
• Thyroid disorder
What about prediabetes and diabetes?
“Sometimes, blood tests reveal a small amount of information or a sign that something may be wrong, but don’t give the bigger picture or enough for diagnosis,” says Dr. Gaman.
“This is often seen in a glucose or blood sugar level. The blood sugar may be elevated, but it is a test designed to only look at the level at that given time.
“The doctor will then order another test, usually a hemoglobin A1C to see the trend of blood sugar over the period of three months.
“Depending on the results, the patient may have no risk of diabetes, prediabetes or be fully diabetic.”
Just how many blood tests for disease exist?
“There are hundreds, if not thousands, of blood tests,” says Dr. Gaman. “Most patients assume that if a doctor has taken blood and everything is fine, they are completely healthy.
“This is a common misconception. The blood is collected with certain tests in mind. Blood is not ‘routinely’ tested for more than the basics.
“The basics usually include blood count and chemistry panels that look at glucose, liver enzymes and electrolytes.
“Things like HIV, cancer markers, heart disease or other tests may not be checked unless specifically requested.
“It’s best to communicate with your healthcare provider and ask questions about what tests were ordered and why.”
Blood Test for Concussion Is Very Accurate
Though not 100 percent definitive, the Banyan brain trauma indictor blood test in February 2018 was approved by the FDA.
This measures proteins that are released from an injured brain within 12 hours of trauma.
It’s 97.5 percent accurate for detecting concussions and 99.6 percent accurate for ruling out concussions.
Dr. Gaman is with Executive Medicine of Texas and is with the Staying Young Radio Show 2.0 podcast.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Olena Yakobchuk
Sources
healthtestingcenters.com/what-blood-tests-are-used-diagnose-cancer/
healthgrades.com/conditions/10-surprising-things-you-can-detect-with-a-blood-test
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease/art-20049357
Does the Farmer’s Walk Give You Cold Shivers?
Why is it that every time you do farmer walks, you get a slightly chilly or cold feeling in your body and even shiver a little?
This almost always happens when I do farmer walks. (more…)
Floppy Upper Eyelids that Feel Rubbery: What’s the Cause?
One suspected cause of floppy upper eyelids that feel rubbery is one of the most misdiagnosed and under-diagnosed diseases. (more…)
What is Rhinophyma and Its Link to Skin Cancer
Skin cancer can be lurking within rhinophyma, hidden from plain view, but also, the margins of the cancer are obscured once it is discovered. (more…)
Cause of Chronic Tinnitus Suddenly Getting Worse
The cause of chronic tinnitus suddenly becoming worse ranges from more mental stress than usual to a brain tumor. (more…)
The Loud Music of Orangetheory Can Cause Hearing Loss
The music is so loud in most Orangetheory studios that it WILL cause hearing loss to anyone who participates on a regular basis or even in one class. (more…)
Can an MRI Be Normal in a Person with MS?
A neurologist will want to have a patient who’s suspected of having multiple sclerosis undergo an MRI.
A normal MRI result will of course be assuring to the patient.
But can a normal result ever be a false negative?
The MRI Usually Shows MS. Usually.
“Although uncommon, at the beginning of the disease, MRI in a patient with multiple sclerosis can be normal,” says Resham Mendi, MD, a renowned expert in the field of medical imaging, and the medical director of Bright Light Medical Imaging.
“The diagnosis would be made primarily based on symptoms and other lab findings, although the diagnosis is easier to confirm using MRI,” says Dr. Mendi.
This is very sour news for people who wonder if they should feel reassured that their MRI came back negative for multiple sclerosis.
These would be people who, due to various symptoms, have developed anxiety over the possibility of having MS.
Keep in mind that many less serious conditions can cause symptoms that multiple sclerosis can cause – which are quite a few.
One mimicker is underactive thyroid. Though this can be fatal without treatment, it’s also easily managed with a daily pill, and patients can live to 100 as much as anyone else if they take good care of their bodies.
Additional highly treatable conditions that have symptom overlap with MS include carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, hypochondria, migraine disorder, pinched nerve in the neck and sleep apnea.
Dr. Mendi continues, “It may just be that in some cases, the symptoms display before there are physical changes in the brain that are detectable on MRI.
“One would expect, however, that the abnormalities would show up in the MRI eventually in a patient with MS.”
MRI Mimickers of MS
Shutterstock/Joshya
There are also conditions that can show up on a brain MRI and look like multiple sclerosis.
In short, the MRI isn’t necessarily the be-all, end-all diagnostic tool for determining the presence of multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Mendi has published several articles in radiology journals and has expertise in MRI, women’s imaging, musculoskeletal, neurological and body imaging.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: ©Lorra Garrick
Source
scarysymptoms.com/2017/09/multiple-sclerosis-mimickers-44-including-cancer/
Nose Turns Red in the Cold: Causes and Prevention
Does your nose get cherry red every time you’re in cold weather?
Is the cold red nose a source of embarrassment for you? Certainly, the solution is NOT to put on a cosmetic concealer before venturing out into the cold.
Even if the nose doesn’t feel uncomfortably cold, nobody wants to be nicknamed “Rudolf” or hear other comments.
Why Cold Turns Your Nose Red
“Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict or close off,” says Dr. Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD, a leading board certified dermatologist from Stanford University Medical School and CEO of MBeautyClinic.com.
Dr. Mauricio explains, “The tip of the nose has limited blood supply, so when exposed to the cold, the nasal tip gets less blood flow, and your body compensates by trying to recruit more blood flow to the area to allow continued perfusion [blood flow] of the nasal tip. This causes the nose tip to turn red.”
In other words, a red nose when you’re out in very cold weather means that your vascular system is doing what it is supposed to do: prevent frostbite on your nose.
And frostbite is certainly a lot worse than being called Rudolf or being asked if you had a lot to drink.
Can this natural physiological response be prevented?
If you’re out in the biting low temperatures, you certainly do not want the body to compensate by sending more blood to the nose.
Otherwise you’ll be at risk for frostbite there.
So what can one do to stop the nose from turning red in the cold without compromising safety?
Dr. Mauricio says, “To prevent this, minimize exposure to cold weather.”
If you absolutely must be out in very low temperatures, then Dr. Mauricio advises, “Wear a face mask to warm the face including the nose.”
A partially wool scarf will also help (pure wool is itchy).
Dr. Mauricio is an internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon and the youngest woman to hold the position of President of The San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: ©Lorra Garrick
How Long Does Contact Dermatitis Last?
It can take a surprisingly long time for a case of contact dermatitis to settle down and finally be gone.
“Contact dermatitis is a skin allergy caused by a specific allergen,” says Dr. Tess Mauricio, MD, FAAD, a leading board certified dermatologist from Stanford University Medical School and CEO of MBeautyClinic.com.
“It usually presents with a skin rash. Contact dermatitis can last as long as the allergen is present.”
Other Symptoms
- Itching, sometimes severe
- Scaly or dry and cracked skin
- Burning or stinging sensation
- Swelling
- Bumps or blisters that may crust or ooze (from repeated scratching)
Duration of Contact Dermatitis
Dr. Mauricio continues, “But even when the allergen is no longer present and the patient is being treated, it may take one month or even longer for the body’s immune system to calm down and finally resolve the rash associated with contact dermatitis.”
Though the duration of this condition can last two to four weeks or even longer, it may take only minutes for the rash to develop. In other cases it takes a few hours.
Allergenic Causes of Contact Dermatitis
• Antibiotic creams
• Body washes, soaps and moisturizers
• Clothing (formaldehyde)
• Cosmetics, perfumes and mouthwash
• Deodorant
• Disinfectants (formaldehyde)
• Hair coloring
• Flavorings in foods such as bakery, barbecue sauce, beer, candy, chili sauce, chocolate, citrus products, colas, ice cream, ketchup and wine.
• Jewelry including those for piercings, and buckles (due to their nickel content)
• Nail polish
• Oral antihistamines
• Preservatives in foods (formaldehyde)
• Spray insecticides
• Ragweed pollen
• Sunscreens
Even cell phones, scissors and crochet hooks can cause a reaction, due to their nickel content.
Irritant Causes of Contact Dermatitis
• Airborne substances, such as sawdust or wool dust
• Bleach and detergents
• Fertilizers
• Pesticides
• Plants
• Rubbing alcohol
• Shampoos, permanent wave solutions
• Solvents
Of course, contact dermatitis will last indefinitely if the affected body part maintains recurring contact with or ingestion of the offending agent.
Dr. Mauricio is an internationally recognized cosmetic surgeon and the youngest woman to hold the position of President of The San Diego Society for Dermatologic Surgery.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
How Bad Is More than 10 Hours of Sleep for Your Health?
If you’re getting over 10 hours of sleep a night, your health needs to be re-evaluated, as sleeping this much may be bad news.
The effects differ between men and women.
BMC Public Health (June 2018) reports on a study from Seoul National University College of Medicine involving 13,608 women and men 40 to 69.
How Bad Is Sleeping More than 10 Hours?
• Increased likelihood of metabolic syndrome in men
• Increased levels of triglycerides (bad fats) in men
• Bigger waist size for women
• Higher triglycerides and blood sugar for women
• Lower levels of HDL (good cholesterol) for women
These undesirable conditions are associations and do not show cause and effect.
But this is a dose-response association between how long one sleeps, and these negative outcomes and cannot be ignored.
Metabolic Syndrome
This means having at least three of the following: high triglycerides, low HDL, elevated waist measurement, high blood pressure and high fasting blood sugar.
Explanation for Association
Similar results were found in people who slept fewer than six hours a night.
Now, for those who sleep little, certain hormones become elevated that may increase appetite.
This can lead to overeating and lower energy levels, which can discourage exercise – all potentially leading to hypertension, high fasting glucose and poor cholesterol profile.
Bur what about why 10 hours of sleep is also bad for one’s health?
One theory is that people who don’t take good care of their bodies (and thus have metabolic syndrome) are more likely to sleep 10 or more hours due to fatigue and lack of energy.
But that would explain why they’re sleeping over 10 hours. It doesn’t explain why 10+ hours of sleep on a regular basis directly causes ailments — if that’s even true, of course.
Sleeping a lot can also be caused by depression. One who’s depressed is apt to avoid structured exercise and not care about nutrition.
Depression, while promoting poor lifestyle choices, can also promote excessive sleep.
However, another plausible explanation for the link between sleeping more than 10 hours and bad health is that of inaccurate self-reporting by the study participants of their sleep habits.
It’s possible that some of the subjects who reported “sleeping” for 10 or more hours were actually awake during some of that time: “time in bed” rather than “time asleep.”
If you spend too much time in bed asleep, what should you do?
“Generally, it’s recommended for people to sleep for 7-8 hours per night,” says Richard Honaker, MD, Chief Medical Advisor at Your Doctors Online, with 30+ years’ experience as a primary care physician.
“Excessive sleep should be evaluated if it’s a new thing and/or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as mood changes, mental changes, sweats or weight loss. Presence of other symptoms could indicate a potential underlying condition.”
If you’re in bed for 10 hours but took one hour to fall asleep and then stayed in bed for an hour after waking in the morning, you had eight hours of sleep, not 10.
But you still need to figure out why you’re awake in bed for an hour before finally falling asleep.
Dr. Honaker 
