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Medical Tests & Procedures Archive
Articles
Back to the doctor
People who’ve skipped medical check-ups for a while should visit their primary care doctor, dental hygienist, and eye doctor. A primary care doctor will consider a person’s blood pressure, medications, weight, alcohol intake, gait, balance, memory, hearing, mood, and levels of physical activity and socialization. To prepare for the visit, one should write down questions for the doctor and bring a list of all medications. At the appointment, one should take notes and ask any questions needed to understand the doctor’s instructions.
When imaging tests reveal unexpected findings
Heart imaging tests sometimes reveal potentially worrisome abnormalities in or near the heart that are unrelated to the original reason for the test. These "incidentalomas" are usually harmless, but not always. Before undergoing heart imaging tests, people should understand how the results may change their treatment and if they are willing to receive that therapy. If a test reveals an incidentaloma, a second opinion from a highly experienced cardiologist or radiologist may help patients feel more confident that a concerning finding is treated appropriately.
Drinking sugary beverages associated with colon cancer risk
Drinking two or more sugary drinks a day appeared to more than double the risk of colorectal cancer in women.
Reducing heart risks in the wake of breast cancer treatment
Hormone therapy is a highly successful breast cancer treatment for women, but it can elevate cardiovascular risk. Women can reduce those risks by being vigilant about their heart health and working closely with their doctors. Women who have taken or are taking these medications as part of breast cancer treatment should focus on adopting a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and keeping close tabs on their blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels.
Look inside your heart
The traditional measures to gauge heart disease risk don’t always tell the whole story. Sometimes more medical information is needed. An increasingly used test to predict a person’s risk for heart attack or stroke is a coronary artery calcium scan. It measures the amount of calcified plaque in the heart’s arteries, high levels of which suggest higher overall plaque buildup. The number can determine if people should begin statin therapy and make additional lifestyle changes.
Vitamin D and the big C
New research has found an association between high and low levels of vitamin D and cancer risk. However, many older adults don’t get the recommended daily amount of 600 to 800 international units, as the main sources of vitamin D are sun exposure (which many people try to avoid) and certain foods, like fatty fish, fortified milk and cereal. Getting vitamin D levels checked to find a possible deficiency can reveal if someone needs more vitamin D, which may require taking a daily supplement.
5 important blood tests beyond the basics
Five blood tests beyond basic blood work may be worth pursuing for older adults. For example, a test to determine one’s vitamin B12 level might be helpful, since older adults sometimes have trouble absorbing that vitamin. Likewise, older adults have less ability to absorb sunlight through the skin, which may lead to less production of vitamin D. Other blood tests to consider include those for HIV or hepatitis C infection, and a test to measure fasting blood sugar.
Advisory group: Too soon to recommend routine vitamin D screening
An advisory group finds there is not enough evidence to recommend routine screening for vitamin D deficiency.
Large review study finds low risk of erectile dysfunction after prostate biopsy
Prostate cancer biopsies have a low risk of side effects, but some men do experience sexual dysfunction after the procedure. But a large review of sdudies has found that these issues usually resolve within one to three months.
Screening for lung cancer
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends more people should undergo lung cancer screening.
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Recent Blog Articles
Do toddler formulas deliver on nutrition claims?
Holiday arguments brewing? Here's how to defuse them
What does a birth doula do?
Cellulitis: How long does it take to heal on legs?
21 spices for healthy holiday foods
What to do when driving skills decline
A tough question: When should an older driver stop driving?
3 ways to create community and counter loneliness
Opill: Is this new birth control pill right for you?
Do children get migraine headaches? What parents need to know
/
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