17-OH progesterone: How the test is performed, Prepare for the Test, Why the test is performed, Normal Values, Risks, Considerations, Other Names

17-OH progesterone



It is a blood test that measures the amount of 17-OH progesterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and gonads.

How the test is performed

Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with a disinfectant (antiseptic). The health care provider wraps an elastic band around the upper arm to apply pressure to the area and make the vein swell with blood.

The doctor then gently inserts a needle into the vein and blood collected in a vial or tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is removed to restore circulation.

Once it has collected the blood sample, the needle is removed and covered the puncture site to stop any bleeding.

In infants or young children, you can use a tool called a lancet to puncture the skin and make it bleed. The blood collects into a small glass tube called a pipette, a slide or test strip. Finally, you can place a bandage over the area if there is any bleeding.

The blood sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Prepare for the Test

Your doctor may ask you to stop taking any drugs that may cause false test results. These drugs include corticosteroids and birth control pills.

The doctor may also recommend the examination at a specific time of day, which can be sensitive to circadian rhythms, ie the natural ups and downs that the body undergoes a period of 24 hours.

What you feel during the examination

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Subsequently, there may be some throbbing.

Why the test is performed

This test is used to identify congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) in infants. Often performed on infants who are born with external genitalia that do not have the typical appearance of a boy or a girl.

This test is also used to identify persons with nonclassical adrenal hyperplasia, a condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough of a substance that helps the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

Your doctor may recommend this test if you are a woman who have excessive hair growth in places where they grow to adult men or other signs of virilization.

Normal Values

Normal and abnormal values differ for babies born with low weight. In general, normal results are as follows

* Umbilical cord: 1,000-3,000 ng / dL
*> 24 hours: less than 100 ng / dL
* Adults: less than 200 ng / dL

Note: ng / dL = nanograms per deciliter.

Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
Significance of abnormal results

High levels of 17-OH progesterone may be due to:

* Adrenal tumors
* Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)

In infants with CAH, the levels of 17 - OH progesterone ranging from 3,000 to 40,000 ng / dL. In adults, a level above 200 ng / dL may be due to nonclassical adrenal hyperplasia.

Risks

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to another reason why blood from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Other risks may include:

* Excessive bleeding
* Fainting or dizziness
* Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
* Infection (a slight risk that is broken skin)

Considerations

The doctor may suggest an ACTH test whether the level of 17-OH progesterone is between 200 and 800 ng / dL.

Alternative Names
17-hydroxyprogesterone, 17-OH Progesterone

17-hydroxycorticosteroids: How the test is performed, Prepare for the Test, Why the test is performed, Significance of abnormal results, Risks, Names

17-hydroxycorticosteroids



17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) is an inactive product that forms when the liver and other body tissues break down the steroid hormone cortisol. This article discusses the laboratory test to measure the amount of 17-OHCS in urine.

How the test is performed

A sample of urine for 24 hours.
On day 1, urinate into the toilet upon arising in the morning.
Collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.
On day 2, urinate into the container in the morning on rising.
Cap the container and store in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
Label the container with the name, date, time of completion, and return as instructed.

For an infant, thoroughly wash the area around the urethra, opening a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive on one end) and place it on the baby. In children, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin in females, place the bag over the labia. Diaper as usual over the secured bag.

They may have to repeat the procedure, as lively infants can displace the bag, causing the urine to be absorbed by the diaper. Check the infant is frequently and the bag after the infant has urinated into it. The urine is drained from the bag into the container provided by your doctor.

Deliver the container in the laboratory or doctor as soon as possible.

Prepare for the Test

If necessary, your doctor will instruct you to discontinue drugs that may interfere with the test.
Ampicillin and glucocorticoids can increase 17-OHCS measurements.
Estrogens pills (pills) and dexamethasone can decrease 17-OHCS measurements.

If you are collecting the urine sample of a baby, you may need a couple of extra collection bags.
What you feel during the examination

The test involves only normal urination and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

This test can help determine if your body is producing too much hormone cortisol.
Normal Values
Men: 4 to 14 milligrams per 24 hours
Women: 2 to 12 milligrams per 24 hours

The normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. The person should talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

Significance of abnormal results

The 17-OHCS levels above normal may indicate:
Cushing syndrome caused by adrenal or pituitary tumor
Ectopic ACTH-producing tumor
Severe physical or emotional stress

Levels above normal can also be filed with:
Hydrocortisone therapy
Obesity
Pregnancy
Severe Hypertension

The 17-OHCS levels below normal may indicate:
Adrenal hemorrhage
Adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal infarction
Hereditary enzyme deficiency
Hypopituitarism
Surgical removal of adrenal gland

Risks

There are no risks.

Alternative Names

17-OHCS, 17-OH corticosteroids

Xanthoma: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, prognosis, Prevention, Other Names, health care, Exams and Tests, incidence and risk factors

Xanthoma

It is a skin condition in which fat is deposited beneath the skin surface.

Causes, incidence and risk factors

Xanthomas are common, especially among older adults and among people with high blood lipids.

Xanthomas may vary in size. Some are very small, while others are bigger than 3 inches (7, 5 cm) in diameter. They can appear anywhere on the body but occur most often on the elbows, joints, tendons, knees, hands, feet and buttocks.

Xanthomas may be a sign of a medical condition that involves an increase in blood lipids. Some of these disorders are:

* Diabetes
* Primary biliary cirrhosis
* Certain cancers
* Inherited metabolic disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia

The eyelid xanthelasma is a common type of xanthoma that appears on the eyelids.

Symptoms

A xanthoma looks like a sore or bump under the skin and usually flat, soft to the touch and yellow, with clearly defined edges.



Exams and Tests

The doctor examines the skin and usually can diagnose a xanthoma simply by looking. A biopsy of the tumor shows a fatty deposit.

Treatment

If a person has a disease that causes increased blood lipids, treating the condition can help reduce development of xanthomas.

The doctor may remove the tumor if it gets annoying, however, xanthomas may come back after surgery.

Expectations (prognosis)

The tumor is not cancerous and painless, but can be a sign of another medical condition.
Complications

The growth may cause a change in the appearance of the person, which is called cosmetic disfiguring.
Calling your health care

Call your health care provider if xanthomas develop which may indicate an underlying disorder that needs treatment.

Prevention

Controlling blood lipids, including triglycerides and cholesterol, may help reduce the development of xanthomas.

Alternative Names

Skin growths fatty; Xanthelasma

Xerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention, incidence and risk factors, Other Names

Xerosis


It is an abnormal dryness of the skin or mucous membranes.

Causes, incidence and risk factors

Dry skin often worsens in the winter.
Older people generally are more affected by this disease.

Symptoms

The skin is dry, scaly, itchy, and red Fine cracks may appear on it.
The legs and arms are usually the most affected.



Treatment

Treatments include:

* Moisturizers, especially those that contain urea and lactic acid
* Topical steroids for areas that become very inflamed and itchy
Prevention

* Avoid excessive exposure to water
* Keep the relatively cold water bath
* Use gentle skin cleansers that do not contain dyes and fragrances

Alternative Names

Asteatotic eczema; Asteatotic Dermatitis

Muscular dystrophy: Symptoms, tests, Treatment, Definition, Other Names, Complications, medical assistance and treatments

Muscular dystrophy


Other Names
Hereditary myopathy, DM

Definition

Is a group of disorders involving muscle weakness and loss of muscle that worsens over time.

Causes, incidence and risk factors Back to top

Many diseases called muscular dystrophies are inherited disorders, such as:

Becker muscular dystrophy *
* Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
* Muscular Dystrophy Emery-Dreifuss
* Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
* Muscular Dystrophy waist or pelvic escapulohumeral
* Congenital myotonia
* Myotonic dystrophy

Symptoms

The symptoms vary with different types of muscular dystrophy.

All muscles can be affected or only specific groups of muscles such as those around the pelvis, shoulders or face. Muscular dystrophy can affect adults, but severe forms tend to occur in early childhood.

Symptoms include:

* Intellectual retardation (only present in some types of the disorder)
* Muscle weakness that slowly gets worse
or delayed development of muscle motor skills
or difficult to use one or more muscle groups
or drooling
or droopy eyelid (ptosis)
or frequent falls
or problems walking (delayed walking)



Signs and tests

The examination and medical history will help the doctor determine the type of muscular dystrophy. Specific muscle groups are affected by different types of muscular dystrophies.

Signs may include:

* Curved spine (scoliosis)
* Contractures articular (clubfoot, hand grip or other)
* Low muscle tone (hypotonia)

Some types of muscular dystrophy compromise the heart muscle, causing cardiomyopathy or heart rhythm disturbance (arrhythmia).

Often there is a loss of muscle mass (atrophy) that may be hard to see because some types of muscular dystrophy cause a buildup of fat and connective tissue that makes the muscle look bigger, which is called seudohipertrofia.

A muscle biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis and, in some cases, the blood test used to analyze DNA may be all that is needed.
Other tests may include:

* Electrocardiography (ECG)
* Electromyography (EMG)
* Creatine kinase in serum

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

* Aldolase
* AST
* Creatinine
* LDH
* Myoglobin in urine / serum

Treatment

There is no known cure for the various muscular dystrophies and the treatment is to control symptoms.

Physiotherapy can help patients maintain muscle strength and functioning. Orthopedic devices such as braces and wheelchairs can improve mobility and ability to self-care. In some cases, surgery of the spine or legs may help improve function.

Sometimes oral corticosteroids are prescribed for children in order to keep walking as long as possible.

The person must be as active as possible because the complete inactivity (such as bed rest) can make the disease worse.

Support Groups

The stress caused by a disease can be relieved by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See support groups for muscular dystrophy.

Expectations (prognosis) Back to Top

The severity of disability depends on the type of muscular dystrophy. All types of dystrophy slowly get worse, but how fast this happens is something that varies widely.

Some types of muscular dystrophy, including Duchenne, are fatal. Other cause little disability and the people who have suffered a period of normal life.

Complications

Cardiomyopathies *
* Decreased ability to care for himself
* Decreased mobility
* Joint Contractures
* Mental impairment (varies)
* Respiratory failure
* Scoliosis

Situations requiring medical assistance

Consult your doctor if:

* You have symptoms of muscular dystrophy.
* Has a personal or family history of muscular dystrophy and is planning to have kids.

Prevention

Genetic counseling is recommended when there is a family history of muscular dystrophy. Women may be asymptomatic, but be carriers of the gene that causes the disorder. Duchenne muscular dystrophy can be detected with about 95% accuracy by genetic studies performed during pregnancy.

Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms, incidence ,risk factors, Definition, Other Names, Signs and tests, Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

Index:

* Images
* Other Names
* Definition
* Causes, incidence and risk factors
Symptoms *
* Signs and tests
* Salutation
* Support Groups
* Expectations (prognosis)
* Complications
* Situations that require medical assistance
* Prevention
* References



Other Names
Degenerative joint disease, hypertrophic osteoarthritis, Osteoarthrosis; EAD; Osteoarthritis (arthritis)

Definition

It is the most common joint disorder.

Causes, incidence and risk factors

Most of the time, the cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. It is a disease that is primarily related to aging, but metabolic factors, genetic, chemical and mechanical processes can also lead to its development.

Symptoms usually appear in people of middle age and almost everyone submits to the age of 70 years. Before the 55 years, the disease occurs equally in both sexes. However, after 55 years is more common in women.

The disease causes an erosion in the buffer (cartilage) between the joints of the bones. As the disease worsens, the cartilage disappears and the bones rub each other. Generally, there are bone spurs around the joint.

Osteoarthritis is classified as primary or secondary.

Primary osteoarthritis occurs without any injury or obvious cause, while secondary osteoarthritis is due to another disease or condition. The most common causes of this are:

* Inflammatory disorders such as arthritis
* Injury
* Metabolic disorders such as acromegaly
* Problems with anatomy (for example, be patizambo)



Symptoms

The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

* Joint pain that worsens deep after exercise or weight-bearing and relieved by rest
* Chirping of articulation with the movement
* Joint pain when the weather is rainy
* Joint inflammation
* Motion Limited
* Stiffness in the morning

Some people may not show symptoms.

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show:

* Crepitation of the joints with movement
* Joint inflammation
* Limited range of motion
* Sensitivity

An x-ray of affected joints will show loss of joint space and, in advanced cases, wear of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.

Treatment

The goals of treatment are:

* Increase the strength of the joints
* Maintain or improve joint mobility
* Reduce the disabling effects of disease
* Relieving pain

Treatment depends on which joints are involved.

MEDICATIONS:

The most common drugs used to treat osteoarthritis are the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common pain relievers that reduce pain and inflammation. The types of these medications include: acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen and naproxen.

Although NSAIDs work well, their prolonged use can cause stomach problems such as ulcers and bleeding. Manufacturers of NSAIDs include a warning label on the product to alert consumers about an increased risk of cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Other medications used to treat osteoarthritis include:

* COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs), which block a substance called COX-2 that causes inflammation. Initially it was believed that this class of drugs works so well as other NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems. However, reports of heart attacks and stroke have prompted the FDA to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of COX-2. Celecoxib (Celebrex) was still available at the time of this report, but labeled with strong warnings and the recommendation to be prescribed at the lowest dose and for the shortest time possible. Patients should ask their doctor if the medicine is appropriate and safe for them.
* Steroids: these drugs are injected directly into the joint and can be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
* Supplements: many people help the OTC medicines such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. There is some evidence that these supplements are used to control pain, but do not seem to allow the development of new cartilage.
* The artificial synovial fluid (Synvisc, Hyalgan) can be injected into the knee and provide temporary relief of pain for up to 6 months.

CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE:

Exercise helps maintain mobility and Articulatory general. You should ask your doctor to recommend an appropriate home exercise routine. The exercises in the water, like swimming, are especially useful.

Other recommendations on lifestyle include:

* Apply heat and cold
* Consume a balanced diet and healthy
* Rest
* Lose weight if overweight
* Protect your joints

PHYSIOTHERAPY:

Can be used to improve muscle strength and movement of stiff joints. Therapists have many techniques for treating osteoarthritis, but if therapy does not cause an improvement after 3 to 6 weeks, then you probably do not work forever.

Orthopedic devices:

Orthopedic splints and sometimes can provide support for weakened joints. Some prevent the movement of the joint, while others allow some movement. Orthopedic devices should be used only when the doctor or therapist recommends, as the incorrect use of a device they can cause damage, stiffness and joint pain.

SURGERY:

Severe cases of osteoarthritis might need surgery to replace or repair damaged joints. The surgical options may include:

* Arthroscopic surgery to trim cartilage injury and broken links and to rinse
* Restoration of the cartilage to replace damaged or missing cartilage in some young patients with arthritis
* Changes in the alignment of a bone to relieve the stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy)
* Surgical Fusion of the bones, usually in the spine (arthrodesis)
* Partial or total replacement of the damaged joint by an artificial joint (knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty)


Expectations (prognosis)

The movement may be very limited. The treatment usually improves joint function.

Complications

* Adverse reactions to drugs used to treat
* Decreased ability to perform activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, housekeeping or cooking
* Decreased ability to walk
Surgical complications *

Situations requiring medical assistance

Check with your doctor if symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Prevention

Weight loss can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in overweight women.