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The health care provider can get a history from the family if the affected person is unwilling or unable to answer questions. A physical examination is done to identify physical problems related to alcohol use.The following questions are used by t...
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These criteria are paraphrased here to relate to alcoholism. At least one of the following must have manifested itself within a 12-month period to qualify for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse:.Recurrent alcohol use that results in failure to fulfill m...
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The diagnosis of alcoholism is usually based on the patient's drinking history, a thorough physical examination, laboratory findings, and the results of psychodiagnostic assessment.
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The diagnosis of alcoholism is usually based on the patient's drinking history, a thorough physical examination, laboratory findings, and the results of psychodiagnostic assessment.
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Two different types of alcohol-related difficulties have been identified. The first is called alcohol dependence, which refers to a person who literally depends on the use of alcohol.
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As noted, behavioral symptoms help to determine the diagnosis, but not usually until the second and third stage of the disease. There are assessments available that can provide both earlier identification and intervention for childhood alcoholism....
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The first is called alcohol dependence, and refers to a person who is physiologically dependent on the use of alcohol. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition(DSM-IV), an individual must have three of th...
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During a physical examination, a health care provider studies a patient''s body to determine the presence or absence of physical problems.
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A toxicology screen refers to various tests to determine the type and approximate amount of legal and illegal drugs a person has taken.Barbiturates- screen; Benzodiazepines- screen; Amphetamines- screen; Analgesics- screen; Antidepressants- screen...
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Drug testing is the assessing of drug use(or non-use) by a person. The drugs for which one tests fall into three main types: illegal drugs, alcohol, and performance-enhancing drugs.
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Urine drug screening, or toxicological screening, is a process of chemical analysis designed to test patients for drug abuse, or to insure that a patient is substance-free before undergoing a medical procedure.Urine drug screening can be used to e...
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Because of the growing use of illicit drugs and the abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol in modern society, an extensive program of worksite drug testing has developed. Workers who abuse drugs are much more likely to injure themselves and put f...
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Drug tests are analytical procedures that may be performed on blood, urine, or gastric fluid for the purpose of identifying an unknown drug or measuring the concentration of a specific drug.Drug tests are usually performed for three reasons. 1) To...
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Albumin is a protein made by the liver. A serum albumin test measures the amount of this protein in the clear liquid portion of the blood.A blood sample is needed.
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Common tests that are used to evaluate liver function include:.Albumin Alpha-1 antitrypsin ALP ALT AST Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) Prothrombin time.Please see individual tests for details on how each is performed.
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Liver function tests, or LFTs, include tests for bilirubin, a breakdown product of hemoglobin, and ammonia, a protein byproduct that is normally converted into urea by the liver before being excreted by the kidneys. LFTs also commonly include test...
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Detailed information on the most common liver function tests, including serum bilirubin test, serum albumin test, serum alkaline phosphatase test, serum aminotransferases, prothrombin time test, alanine transaminase test, aspartate transaminase test, gamm
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Liver function tests, or LFTs, include tests that are routinely measured in all clinical laboratories. LFTs include bilirubin, a compound formed by the breakdown of hemoglobin; ammonia, a breakdown product of protein that is normally converted int...
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Liver function tests, or LFTs, include tests that are routinely measured in all clinical laboratories. LFTs include bilirubin, a compound formed by the catabolism of hemoglobin; ammonia, a product of protein catabolism that is normally converted i...
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Large amounts of alcohol can result in depression of the various body systems, resulting in coma or death. The immediate physical effects of alcohol depend on the amount and frequency of drinking, while the mental and emotional effects are influen...
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Misuse of alcohol can lead to serious consequences. Alcohol abuse differs from alcoholism. Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in failure to meet work, home or school responsibilities, among other things.
Alcoholism is a disease that includes an extremely strong craving for alcohol, loss of control over drinking, or physical dependence.
Learn more about the effects of abusing alcohol by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
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Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT) is a test to measure the amount of the enzyme GGT in the blood.Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine(an...
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AST(aspartate aminotransferase) is an enzyme found in high amounts in heart muscle and liver and skeletal muscle cells. It is also found in lesser amounts in other tissues.This article discusses the test to measure the amount of AST in the blood.A...
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The Aspartate aminotransferase test measures levels of AST, an enzyme released into the blood when certain organs or tissues, particularly the liver and heart, are injured. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST) is also known as serum glutamic oxaloaceti...
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Alanine transaminase(ALT) is an enzyme found in the highest amounts in the liver. Injury to the liver results in release of the substance into the blood.This article discusses the test to measure the amount of ALT in the blood.SGPT; Serum glutamat...
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Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with particularly high amounts of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone.A blood test can be done to measure the level of ALP.
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Like all enzymes, it is needed, in small amounts, to trigger specific chemical reactions. When it is present in large amounts, it may signify bone or liver disease or a tumor.Medical testing of alkaline phosphatase is concerned with the enzyme tha...
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This test roughly measures the types of protein in the fluid (serum) part of a blood sample. See also:Immunoelectrophoresis - serumImmunofixation - serumSerum globulin electrophoresisLipoprotein electrophoresisA blood sample is needed.
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Separation is based on differences in the charge(and sometimes size) of the molecules, which determines their rate of movement in an electric field. Serum protein electrophoresis is a screening test that measures the major blood proteins.
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Serum protein electrophoresis(SPEP) is a screening test that measures the major blood proteins by separating them into five distinct fractions: albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma proteins. Protein electrophoresis can also be performed on u...
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Prothrombin time(PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion(plasma) of your blood to clot.
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The prothrombin time test belongs to a group of blood tests that assess the clotting ability of blood. The test is also known as the pro time or PT test.The PT test is used to monitor patients taking certain medications as well as to help diagnose...
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These are primary hemostasis, which is the interaction of the injured blood vessel and platelets; secondary hemostasis, which is referred to historically as the blood coagulation process; and tertiary hemostasis, which is the process of fibrinolys...
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A platelet count is a test to measure how many platelets you have in your blood. Platelets help the blood clot.
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A platelet count is a diagnostic test that determines the number of platelets in the patient''s blood. Platelets, which are also called thrombocytes, are small disk-shaped blood cells produced in the bone marrow and involved in the process of blood...
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Bilirubin is a product that results from the breakdown of hemoglobin. Total and direct bilirubin are usually measured to screen for or to monitor liver or gallbladder problems.Total bilirubin; Unconjugated bilirubin; Indirect bilirubin; Conjugated...
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The bilirubin test is a blood test to monitor the liver function of newborns. The rapid destruction of red blood cells after birth produces more bilirubin than the infant''s liver can handle, causing some jaundice in about 99% of newborns.
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A serum magnesium test is a measurement of how much magnesium there is in the blood.Blood is typically drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The site is cleaned with germ-killing medicine(antiseptic).
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Folic acid is a type of B vitamin. This article discusses the test to measure the amount of folic acid in the blood.
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Uric acid is a chemical created when the body breaks down substances called purines. Purines are found in some foods and drinks, such as liver, anchovies, mackerel, dried beans and peas, beer, and wine.Most uric acid dissolves in blood and travels...
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