Posts by Medilab An

How the nervous system works The nervous system is a complex network that controls the functioning of all organs and systems in the body. It is divided into: Central nervous system (CNS) - the brain and spinal cord Peripheral nervous system - nerves that connect the CNS to all parts of the body Autonomic (autonomic) nervous system - regulates unconscious processes, such as heartbeat, breathing, digestion An important role in the stress response is played by the autonomic nervous system, which is divided into sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. During stress, the sympathetic system is activated - the "fight or flight" reaction occurs. What is stress from the point of view of neurophysiology Stress is not just emotional tension. It is a neurochemical reaction in which the brain activates the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal glands (the so-called HGH axis), which leads to the release of stress hormones: adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. These hormones cause: increased heart rate increased blood pressure rapid breathing vasoconstriction increased attention and reaction As chronic stress...

What are seasonal allergies? Seasonal allergies, or hay fever, are the immune system's reaction to pollen from plants that bloom at a certain time of year. It most often occurs in spring, summer, or early fall. Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds enters the respiratory tract or eyes, causing symptoms similar to a cold, but without a virus. According to the Mayo Clinic, pollen allergies affect up to 30% adults and up to 40% children, and their symptoms can significantly reduce quality of life. Main symptoms of seasonal allergies Constant sneezing Nasal congestion or discharge Itching in the nose, throat, and eyes Watery, red eyes Feeling of pressure in the forehead, headache Fatigue, decreased concentration Worsening of asthma symptoms (in people with a concomitant diagnosis) In some cases, symptoms can progress to allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, or complicate the course of bronchial asthma. What causes seasonal allergies? Spring (March–May): tree pollen (birch, alder, maple) Summer (June–August): grasses...

What is copper and what role does it play in the body? Copper is a vital trace element that participates in dozens of biochemical processes. It is needed for the synthesis of collagen, elastin, antioxidant defense enzymes, the formation of red blood cells, the functioning of the nervous system, and the absorption of iron. The body is unable to produce copper on its own, so we get it from food. An excess or deficiency of this element can affect the functioning of the heart, brain, hematopoiesis, and immunity. Why take a blood copper test? Determining the level of copper in the blood allows you to detect: disorders of microelement metabolism copper poisoning deficiency in malabsorption genetic diseases (for example, Wilson-Konovalov disease) autoimmune, neurological, and hematological disorders This test is usually prescribed when there is suspicion of liver pathology, metabolic disorders, anemia of unknown origin, or to monitor the therapy of Wilson's disease. Normal blood copper level Indicator Reference values Copper (venous blood) 11–24 μmol/l for adults Ceruloplasmin 0.2–0.6 g/l Ceruloplasmin is a protein that transports copper in...

In patients after treatment of thyroid diseases, a blood test for thyroglobulin becomes not just another laboratory indicator - it is a signal that can indicate a complete recovery or the beginning of a relapse. For an ordinary person, thyroglobulin does not say anything. But for endocrinologists, it is one of the most valuable markers in monitoring the patient's condition after removal of the gland or a previous oncological disease. What is thyroglobulin and why is it measured? Thyroglobulin is a protein produced exclusively by thyroid cells. It is a precursor to the hormones T3 and T4, so it is usually present in the tissues of the thyroid gland, but not in large quantities in the blood. If the thyroid gland has been completely removed, but thyroglobulin is still present in the blood, this is a signal to the doctor that there is still thyroid tissue or even tumor cells somewhere in the body. In postoperative control, thyroglobulin is considered a specific tumor marker - its level...

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may not show symptoms for a long time, but they can cause serious harm to the body. STI screening allows you to detect infections at an early stage and prevent the development of complications. In this material, we will tell you how to properly prepare for the examination, when it is worth undergoing it, and what diagnostic methods are used today. What is STI screening? STI screening is a comprehensive laboratory study that helps determine the presence of infectious diseases transmitted through sexual contact. Even in the absence of symptoms, the infection may be present in the body, so preventive examination is an important step towards maintaining overall health. Who is recommended to undergo screening? Screening is recommended in the following cases: after unprotected sexual contact with frequent changes of partners when planning pregnancy when symptoms appear (strange discharge, pain, itching) as part of an annual preventive examination. Main infections detected during screening During a standard examination, they usually check...

Glucose level analysis is one of the simplest and at the same time most important diagnostic methods. It allows you to detect metabolic disorders, the risk of developing diabetes or assess the effectiveness of treatment. But many people do not even suspect how easy it is to make a mistake when preparing for such a simple test. In this article, we will tell you what mistakes patients most often make and how to properly prepare for donating blood for glucose. The most common mistakes before a glucose test Before taking the test, it is important to avoid mistakes that can distort the result: Eating or drinking before the test - even a glass of juice or a cup of coffee can change the sugar level. Physical activity the day before - training stimulates the use of glucose by the muscles. Drinking alcohol the day before the test - disrupts normal carbohydrate metabolism. Smoking before the test - nicotine increases blood sugar levels. Stressful situations before blood sampling - the release of stress hormones can change the results. These factors...

What is liquid biopsy? Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive method for detecting cancer cells or genetic material of a tumor in biological fluids, most often in the blood. Unlike traditional biopsy, which requires a tissue sample, liquid biopsy allows for the analysis of tumor changes without surgical intervention. The main goal is to detect circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), tumor cells or exosomes that enter the bloodstream from the primary or metastatic focus. This method is already actively used in the USA, Europe and is being introduced into clinical practice in Ukraine, in particular within the framework of precision oncology. What fluids can be used Blood (plasma) - most often Urine - for some urological tumors Cerebrospinal fluid - for brain tumors Saliva, bile, pleural effusion - for research in some cases What liquid biopsy can detect Possibility Practical application Detection of mutations in ctDNA Selection of targeted therapy (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, ALK and others) Determination of minimal residual disease Monitoring after surgery or chemotherapy Early diagnosis Detection of a tumor before it appears...

Situation 1: «I have a headache in the morning, but I tend to fall asleep at lunchtime.» Petro, 42, an office worker. He complained of fatigue, mild dizziness in the morning, and irritability. He didn’t pay attention until he passed out on the way to work. After hospitalization, he was prescribed a blood glucose test. What is this test? This is a test that measures the level of glucose, the main source of energy for the brain and muscles. If the sugar level is higher or lower than normal, the body is experiencing a deficiency or toxic load. Situation 2: «Pregnancy is not a disease, but control is necessary» Olena at 25 weeks of pregnancy. The midwife recommended a glucose test to detect gestational diabetes. The woman felt well, but did not expect that the glucose level after a glucose load would be elevated. Why is this important? Gestational diabetes often has no symptoms, but it can affect the development of the fetus. The analysis helps prevent complications, including high birth weight or hypoglycemia after childbirth. What does a blood glucose test show? Type...

Context: Why mutations are increasingly being talked about In the 21st century, genetics has ceased to be just a field of academic research. Genetic tests are offered in private laboratories, doctors study DNA before prescribing drugs, and the terms «mutation» and «variant» have become commonplace even in daily news. But what exactly does a mutation mean? And how does it affect health? Comparison: mutations are like errors in text Imagine that DNA is an instruction manual of millions of letters. Each gene is like a sentence, and a mutation is an error in one letter. Sometimes such an error does not change the meaning (neutral mutation), sometimes it leads to a broken sentence (pathogenic mutation). Types of "errors" in genes: Substitution (missense mutation): one letter is replaced by another - for example, the word "kit" becomes "lit" Deletion: a letter is dropped - "kit" → "kt" Insertion: an extra letter is added - "kit" → "klit" Nonsense mutation: the word is cut off - "kit" → "k" Example: a genetic "signature" of a hereditary disease A well-known example -...

Is there a blood test for stress? Stress is not just an emotional state, but a physiological reaction of the body to stimuli. It is accompanied by the release of stress hormones, changes in the nervous system, and an effect on immunity. In modern laboratory diagnostics, there is no single test that directly «measures the level of stress.» However, there are blood tests that reflect physiological markers of stress. What indicators indicate stress in the body Stress can be assessed by several biomarkers: 1. Cortisol The main stress hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. Its level increases with physical and psychological stress. Normal: 140–700 nmol/l (depending on the time of day) Increased: chronic stress, anxiety, Cushing's syndrome Decreased: adrenal exhaustion, depression 2. Adrenaline and noradrenaline Hormones that increase sharply in emergency situations. They are determined less often, but may reflect an acute stress reaction. Shown in urine or plasma Often used to diagnose pheochromocytoma 3. ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) Regulates cortisol production. Increases during emotional and physical stress. 4....