What Is a Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test?

However, all RAIU tests will need a thyroid scan to determine how the thyroid is functioning. AniphaeS / Getty Images Risks and Contraindications The risks with the RAIU test are minimal. Youll likely be told not to eat after midnight the night before the test. AniphaeS / Getty Images Dont stop anymedicationwithout consulting your healthcare provider first. Your healthcare provider will prescribe you a pill that contains radioactive iodine. The scan will measure the amount of iodine that has been taken up by the thyroid....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 202 words · Anna Santos DDS

What Is a Rectovaginal Exam?

It is different than a pelvic exam. Read on to learn more about the rectovaginal exam and everything it entails. The rectovaginal exam is not a particularly accurate screening exam. fstop123 / Getty Images Can a Rectovaginal Exam Detect Cancer? This means it misses many of these problems. Still, this exam may detect conditions such as ovarian or rectal cancer or endometriosis. Your healthcare provider will discuss this part of the exam and why it is being done....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 200 words · Ashley Hughes

What Is a Retrovirus and How Does It Work?

A retrovirus is a throw in of RNA virus. RNA viruses have genes encoded in RNA instead of DNA. Infection by a retrovirus, however, requires an additional step. Noel Hendrickson / Getty Images Retroviruses are “retro” because they reverse the direction of the normal gene-copying process. Usually, cells convert DNA into RNA so that it can be made into proteins. But with retroviruses, the process has to start by going backward....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 525 words · Meghan Green

What Is a Scalp Yeast Infection?

Sirinate Kaewma / EyeEm / Getty Images Symptoms Yeast naturally live on your skin without causing problems. However, an overgrowth of fungal organisms can cause a skin infection. Yeast affecting the scalp cause an itchy rash. Sirinate Kaewma / EyeEm / Getty Images The symptoms include: Symptom Confusion Several scalp conditions may produce similar symptoms. When the natural balance is disrupted, Malassezia can overgrow. Overgrowth of Malassezia causesfolliculitis(inflamed follicles) andseborrheic dermatitis....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 304 words · Abigail Moore

What Is a Scaphoid Fracture?

Scaphoid fractures are most commonly because of a fall onto an outstretched hand. This throw in of break often causes pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist. Cast immobilization is typically recommended for this pop in of fracture, but this can vary. Jonathan Cluett, M.D. The force of the injury leads to damage to the scaphoid bone. An MRI can also be used to diagnose this injury without having to wait to repeat an X-ray....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 356 words · Angela Conrad

What Is a Scrub Tech?

This article explains what a surgical scrub tech does and what education level they require. It also covers who is best suited for this bang out of job. What Is the Role of a Scrub Tech? Robert Llewellyn / Corbis / Getty Images A scrub tech job also requires an extensive knowledge of surgical procedures. Education In the United States, surgical scrub technicians are trained in multiple ways. What Makes a Good Scrub Tech?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 263 words · Laura Keller

What Is a Silent Heart Attack?

This can lead to delays in treatment as the obstruction of blood flow causes damage to the heart. PixelsEffect/Getty Images What Are the Symptoms of a Silent Heart Attack? Most people who have a heart attack know immediately that something is wrong. PixelsEffect/Getty Images This is especially true in younger people who don’t consider themselves to be candidates for a heart attack. Can You Have a Heart Attack and Not Know It?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 232 words · Pamela Heath

What Is a Skeletal Survey?

What to expect when undergoing this test A skeletal survey is a series ofX-rayswhich includes the entire skeleton. Skeletal surveys may be ordered for a variety of reasons in children and in adults. In general, they are used to identify focal or widespread abnormalities of the skeleton. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Skeletal surveys are often used in adults with suspectedmultiple myelomato look for bone involvement. Be careful not to confuse a skeletal survey with bone scintigraphy or bone scan....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 784 words · Wayne Johnson

What Is a Sleep-Deprived EEG for Seizures?

It’s used to detect subtle seizures, likeabsence seizuresorfocal seizures. Purpose of Test The relationship between sleep and epilepsy has been studied for years. Sleep deprivation is proposed as an activation procedure used to trigger epileptic seizures and to initiate interictal epileptiform abnormalities. Verywell / Emily Roberts The latter are abnormal electrical patterns that are characteristic of epilepsy and occur between clinical seizures. A sleep-deprived EEG can be used to diagnose and differentiate various types of epilepsies....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 600 words · Michael Davidson

What Is a Slit-Lamp Exam?

A slit lamp isone of the devicesthat your healthcare provider may use for checking the health of your eyes. What Is a Slit Lamp? A slit lamp is a microscope with a bright light that can be focused into a thin beam. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi A slit-lamp examination is a non-invasive test, and it is not harmful. A slit lamp can only be used to observe your eyesit is not used for a therapeutic procedure....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 274 words · Joseph Martinez

What Is a SPECT Scan?

Different tracers perform different functions. No long-term health risks have been associated with using this method of imaging. Your healthcare team should give you specific guidelines for preparation. Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell If you’re unsure, ask. Timing Ask your medical team about the amount of time you should set aside for the scan. Location Testing may be done in a hospital, clinic, or imaging center. Typically, the scan will be done by a medical team that specializes in nuclear medicine....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 289 words · Kelly Higgins

What Is a Spinal Tap?

A small amount of CSF is typically collected so it can be studied thoroughly in a lab. Purpose of the Test Usually, an LP is performed to run diagnostic tests on the CSF. This helps with the diagnosis of certain diseases and with following the progression of some neurological disorders. Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell Diagnosing asubarachnoid hemorrhage, which is bleeding in between the meninges, is another common reason for an LP....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 638 words · Yvette Shepherd

What Is a Stent?

A stent is a metal or plastic tube inserted into a blocked passageway to keep it open. This article looks at the different types of stents used in medicine today. It also describes the general procedure and the possible risks and side effects of stenting. Stocktrek Images / Getty Images Stents should not be confused withshunts. Shunts are similar in design but are used to connect two previously unconnected passageways....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 395 words · Miss Taylor Hernandez DVM