The heart does more than pump blood throughout the body. Behind every heartbeat is an electrical system that coordinates when the heart muscle contracts, allowing the heart to maintain an organized rhythm. A normal heartbeat begins with an electrical impulse generated by the sinoatrial, or SA, node, often referred to as the heart's natural pacemaker. When the generation or conduction of these electrical signals is disrupted, the heart may beat too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. This condit...

The thyroid gland plays an important role in regulating many processes in the body through the hormones it produces. When thyroid function is disrupted, various symptoms may occur. Blood tests are therefore an important part of assessing thyroid function. TSH and Free T4 as Key Thyroid Tests TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, is a hormone involved in regulating the activity of the thyroid gland. In general, TSH levels may be low in hyperthyroidism, while they may increase in hypothyroidi...

Recurring digestive symptoms may require more than an assessment based on symptoms alone. In certain situations, a more comprehensive medical investigation may be needed to identify the underlying cause, particularly when Crohn’s disease is suspected. Crohn’s disease involves inflammation of the digestive tract. Several groups of laboratory tests can provide doctors with valuable information about inflammation, nutritional status, and intestinal health. 1. Blood Tests and Inflammatory Mark...

An occasional sneeze may be completely normal. However, when sneezing occurs repeatedly, it may indicate that the body is reacting to a particular substance, including an allergy trigger or allergen. Allergies occur when the immune system responds to certain substances. Laboratory allergy testing can help identify this response through a blood test that measures Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. What Is a Total IgE Test? A Total IgE test is a laboratory examination that measures the ov...

Pregnancy is a journey that requires regular health monitoring. One condition that deserves particular attention is preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder that typically develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and may lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), preeclampsia affects approximately 3–8% of women who give birth worldwide. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy account for around 16% of global maternal deaths, equivalent to ap...

Painful blisters or fluid-filled lesions on the skin should not be ignored or treated without proper evaluation. These symptoms can have various causes, including herpes virus infections, making appropriate medical consultation and testing important. For suspected Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infection, molecular testing such as PCR/NAAT using a sample taken from an active lesion is a sensitive method for detecting HSV and differentiating between HSV-1 and HSV-2. Viral culture may also be perfo...