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The health care provider will perform a physical exam and use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs and heart. The following may be detected:.Crackles in the lungs, called rales Abnormal heart sounds Increased heart rate(tachycardia) Pale or blue s...
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Patients with pulmonary edema will have a rapid pulse, rapid breathing, abnormal breath and heart sounds, and enlarged neck veins. A chest x ray is often used to confirm the diagnosis.
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A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.Chest radiography; Serial chest x-ray; X-ray- chest.The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider''s office by an x-...
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A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland and the bones of the chest ar...
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Detailed information on chest x-rays, including reasons for the procedure X-rays are made by using low levels of external radiation to produce images of the body, the organs, and other internal structures for diagnostic purposes. X-rays pass through body structures onto specially treated plates (similar to camera film) and a "negative" type picture is made. The more solid a structure is, the whiter it appears on the film. For this reason, bones appear very white on an x-ray film, but less dense tissue such as muscle, blood, skin, and fat appears darker.
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A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, thyroid gland, and the bones of the chest a...
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A chest x ray is a procedure used to evaluate organs and structures within the chest for symptoms of disease. Chest x rays include views of the lungs, heart, small portions of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bones of the chest area.
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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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An electrocardiogram(ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
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Electrocardiography is a commonly used, noninvasive procedure for recording electrical changes in the heart. The record, which is called an electrocardiogram(ECG or EKG), shows the series of waves that relate to the electrical impulses that occur ...
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Detailed information on electrocardiogram, including how the EKG/ECG is performed and what happens after the procedure
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The electrocardiography unit, also called an electrocardiograph, is an apparatus that indirectly measures the heart''s electrical activity and records it as a graphic tracing.Electrocardiography is used to detect heart-function abnormalities. It in...
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Did you know that electrical currents flow throughout your body? Because the strongest of these travels through your heart, doctors are able to monitor your heart by placing electrical sensors on the surface of your skin.
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The ECG (also known as EKG) is a test that records electrical signals from your heart onto a paper strip. The pattern of these signals can tell the doctor whether your heart is normal, under stress, or experiencing electrical problems, strain, or damage.
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The electrocardiogram(ECG) displays important information about the heart, including the occurrence of a heart attack or lack of oxygen, whether conduction of the heartbeat is disturbed, or its rate or rhythm altered. It is useful as a rapid indic...
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Detailed information on an electrocardiogram (EKG) procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
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The Harvard Health Letter celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. In the first of a series, the Health Letter takes a look back at three decades in medicine.
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Echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The picture is much more detailed than x-ray image and involves no radiation exposure.Transthoracic echocardiogram(TTE); Echocardiogram- transthoracic; Doppler...
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Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart muscle. Ultrasound waves that rebound or echo off the heart can show the size, shape, and movement of the heart''s valves and chambers as well as the f...
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Detailed information on a echocardiography (echo) procedure, including how the procedure is performed, reasons for the procedure, and pre- and post-evaluation instructions
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Detailed information on echocardiography, including types and how the procedure is performed
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An echocardiogram (echo) is an imaging test. It helps your doctor evaluate your heart. Here is how it works.
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Echocardiography is a diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to produce an image of the heart muscle and the heart''s valves.Echocardiography is used to diagnose certain cardiovascular diseases, and is one of the most widely used diagnostic tes...
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BNP is a hormone produced by the body when the heart is enlarged. Testing a person's BNP level is an easy and accurate way to help doctors diagnose congestive heart failure.
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The pulse oximeter is a photoelectric instrument for measuring oxygen saturation of the blood.
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The pulse oximeter is a photoelectric instrument for measuring oxygen saturation of blood.A pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen present in blood by registering pulsations within an arteriolar bed(an area between arteries and capillaries)....
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Detailed information on peak flow meters, including how to obtain one, how to measure personal best peak flow, peak flow zones, and how a peak flow meter should be used, and information on oximeters and spirometer
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Ultrasound involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to create images of organs and systems within the body.An ultrasound machine creates images that allow various organs in the body to be examined. The machine sends out high-frequency sound ...
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Ultrasonography is a diagnostic technique that involves directing high frequency sound waves at tissues in the body to generate images of anatomical structures. Ultrasonography is also called sonography, diagnostic sonography, and echocardiography...
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Detailed information on ultrasonograpy, also called sonography including information on how the procedure is performed
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Detailed information on ultrasound and the potential risks and benefits An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound
waves to create an image of the internal organs. A screening ultrasound is sometimes done during the course of a pregnancy to monitor normal fetal growth and verify the due date. Ultrasounds may be performed at various times throughout pregnancy for different reasons:
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A thyroid ultrasound, or sonogram, is a diagnostic imaging technique used to evaluate the structure of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is an endocrine gland, which means that it releases its secretions directly into the bloodstream or lymph.
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My Ob/Gyn said they found fluid in the baby's kidneys during my 20-week ultrasound, so I have to have a level 2 ultrasound done. What does this mean?
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Diagnostic medical sonography, or ultrasound, is a technique using high frequency sound to create images of specific areas of the body to diagnose various pathologies. The diagnostic medical sonographer performs examinations, records anatomic cond...
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Ultrasonography is the study of internal organs or blood vessels using high-frequency sound waves. The actual test is called an ultrasound scan or sonogram.
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Since diagnostic sonography utilizes a nonionizing form of energy, there are no known bioeffects. Thus, diagnostic sonography is applied to a large spectrum of clinical disorders, including obstetrical, gynecological, abdominal, urologic, pediatri...
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Blood gases is a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide is in your blood. It also determines the acidity(pH) of your blood.Usually, blood is taken from an artery.
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Blood gas analysis, also called arterial blood gas(ABG) analysis, is a procedure to measure the partial pressure of oxygen(O 2) and carbon dioxide(CO 2) gases and the pH(hydrogen ion concentration) in arterial blood.Blood gas analysis is used to d...
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Blood gas analysis, also called arterial blood gas(ABG) analysis, is a test which measures the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, as well as the acidity(pH) of the blood.An ABG analysis evaluates how effectively the lungs are deliv...
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Blood gases are defined as the mixture of gases, including oxygen(O 2), carbon dioxide(CO 2), and nitrogen(N 2), dissolved in the fluid fraction of blood.Oxygen from the air is transported from the lungs to all tissues of the body, where it is nee...
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The concentrations of these ions in the bloodstream remain fairly constant throughout the day in a healthy person. Changes in the concentration of one or more of these ions can occur during various acute and chronic disease states and can lead to ...
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However, there is a narrow concentration limit of these electrolytes that the body must maintain within each of these compartments. The body transfers electrolytes intracellularly and extracellularly as required to maintain electrolyte balance.
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Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged molecules called ions, that are found within the body''s cells and extracellular fluids, including blood plasma. A test for electrolytes includes the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, and...
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Electrolytes are positively and negatively charged ions that are found within the cells and extracellular fluids, including blood plasma. A test for electrolytes includes the measurement of sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate.
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Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine, which is an important part of muscle. A serum creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in the blood.
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Creatine phosphate is used in skeletal muscle contraction.The creatinine test is used to diagnose impaired kidney function and to determine renal(kidney) damage.A diet high in meat content can cause transient elevations of serum creatinine. Some d...
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BUN stands for blood urea nitrogen. Urea nitrogen is what forms when protein breaks down.A test can be done to measure the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood.Blood is drawn from a vein, usually from the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.
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The blood urea nitrogen(BUN) test measures the level of urea nitrogen in a sample of the patient''s blood. Urea is a substance that is formed in the liver when the body breaks down protein.
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X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. In a health care setting, a machines sends are individual x-ray particles, called photons.
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Detailed information on the most common procedures used for diagnostic radiology, including arteriogram, barium x-ray, computed tomography scan, fluoroscopy, intravenous pyelogram, magnetic resonance imaging, mammogram, ultrafast CT scan, ultrasound, x ra
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Detailed information on x-ray, including information on how the procedure is performed
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X rays are electromagnetic radiation that differentially penetrates structures within the body and creates images of these structures on photographic film or a fluorescent screen. These images are called diagnostic x rays.Diagnostic x rays are use...
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X rays are a type of radiation used in imaging andtherapy that uses short wavelength energy beams capable of penetrating most substances except heavy metals.Diagnostic x rays are some of the most powerful medical imaging tools available. Other ima...
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Body positions in x-ray exams are based on body part, suspected defect or disease, and condition of the patient. The radiographer, also known as the x-ray tech or more formally as the radiologic technologist, uses standardized body positions in pe...
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What can doctors see on an X-ray? Large and small fractures are first on the list.
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