Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Test: Know it all

When a lump or a bump is found in the superficial areas of the body like the breast and neck, then a test known as Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is conducted. A lump may be found during the doctor’s examination or with the help of imaging tests such as CT scan, mammogram and ultrasound. Doctors usually prescribe FNAC to conduct tests on thyroid, salivary glands, cysts (fluid-filled lumps), nodules or masses (solid lumps), and enlarged lymph nodes.

What does FNAC procedure involve?

The FNAC procedure includes insertion of a small hypodermic needle, which is usually the size of an office pin, which may have a syringe attached to it. When the syringe is used, suction is put in to obtain more material. Furthermore, the needle is injected and drawn in and out for about five seconds and then is finally taken out. The material is then marked out on a glass slide and the pathologist stains it under a microscope to draw out a conclusion.  

What to expect before FNAC?

No standard preparation has been defined before undergoing the FNAC test. However, one may be asked to make some changes in medicines as well as diet. Few days before the test, one should avoid the intake of aspirin or other blood thinners. Also, do not eat or drink anything before a few hours of the procedure. Don’t forget to follow whatever your physician and pathologist suggest you to.

What to expect during FNAC?

Mostly the fine needle aspiration is an outpatient procedure. Those who go for this diagnostic service have to go through the following steps:

>The skin of the area is firstly cleaned with an antiseptic solution and will then be covered with towel or a sterile drape.

>The area is then injected with a numbing medication

>To locate the right area for fine needle aspiration, ultrasound is conducted

>The vacuum inside the syringe forces the body fluid into the syringe
>The entire process takes about 10 minutes  

What to expect after FNAC?

As sedatives are given during the fine needle aspiration procedure, one might feel dizzy and unable to work for the day. Just after the process, you may feel swelling, soreness or pain in body. Some people are provided with pain medicines in case of higher discomfort.

Is the procedure safe?

It has been proven by doctors that the FNAC procedure is safe. Besides that it holds numerous benefits while delivering quick and accurate results. No scars are left during the procedure and the patient can easily go home without getting hospitalised. Just remember to trust only recognised pathology labs, like Scientific Pathology that performs FNAC tests in Agra with the help of latest techniques to deliver 100% accurate results. 

5 Ways to Combat Depression

Around 300 people are affected by depression worldwide. Being different from the usual mood fluctuations and irritability, it is a medical disorder that makes one feel negative about everything. People who witness excessive sadness, decreased motivation, and lose interest in fun things are tend to be a victim of this serious problem. It can make a person feel both mentally and physically ill, while reducing their ability to function at work and home as well.

Causes and Symptoms

Though the exact cause has not been detected, yet doctors predict genetic factors to be one of the main reasons of depression. Apart from this, stressful events going on in life like conflicts with near ones, financial difficulties, unemployment, loneliness, etc. are also responsible for depression.

People suffering from depression will experience psychological symptoms like loss of interest, constant negative and unpleasant thoughts, slow thinking process, inefficiency in doing work, etc., and physical symptoms like loss of energy, sleep, appetite, weight and interest in sexual activities.

Though depression cannot be detected by availing any of the diagnostic services, yet symptoms like fatigue and weight loss should be once tested for discarding the possibility of any other disease. 

Scientific Pathology can be trusted for undergoing such tests. Being guided by one of the prominent doctors of India Dr. Ashok Sharma, the lab offers effective health check-up packages at feasible charges.

Steps to fight depression

If you sense these symptoms then here are some of the pointers that will help you in coping depression.

Build a routine: Setting a schedule largely helps to conquer depression. Lying on bed all day while trapped in thoughts will make your condition worse. Having a proper routine will help you in getting back on track.

Exercising: Needless to say, exercise is good for everyone’s health. And in case of depression, it is the best. While working out, our body secretes happy chemicals known as endorphins which eventually helps a person in being happy and positive. You don’t need to follow a hardcore gym or workout schedule; walking and mild exercises everyday will work too.

Speak it out: Keeping your thoughts within yourself will make you feel more sad and gloomy. Whatever you feel, be it good or bad, share it with your family or friends, they will definitely hear you out. If you don’t feel like conversing with anyone, then pen down all your thoughts and you will sense a certain amount of relief after this.

Stay away from negative thoughts: Depression highly affects your mental health. When depressed, there is no limit of negative thoughts. People tend to jump to worst conclusions for every situation. Try to indulge in activities like watching movies, dancing, attending concerts, etc., whatever you like to do the most.

Sleep properly: Sleep is the first thing to get affected during depression. Following the policy of ‘early to bed and early to rise’ will help you heal gradually. And while sleeping, stay away from all the distractions like TV, computers, mobile phones, etc. and slowly, you will observe that your sleeping schedule has improved.

The aforementioned pointers can help a person struggling with depression disorders to fight with the problem up to a great extent.

Blood Donation: Benefits and Eligibility

Blood donation is a noble deed that brings health benefits while saving lives. It’s often advised that blood donation should be a regular exercise every 3 months. Though there aren’t too many home collection centres, nearest blood donation camps can be easily located. You can also donate your blood at the nearest hospital.

Why donate blood?

Well, primarily and obviously because: you are helping save lives. India was short of 1.9 million units of blood during 2017-18. A single donation can save up to three lives.

Additionally, it also brings health benefits to the donor. Regular blood donation reduces blood viscosity thereby significantly lowering the chances of heart attack. Studies have shown that apart from viscosity, it also lowers mean total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol safe-guarding you against cardio-vascular diseases. High iron stores are also linked to heart attacks, blood donation lowers iron stores too.

Who can donate blood?

Though it is indeed a noble deed, not everyone is allowed to donate blood. Before donation, it is advisable that you avail health checkup packages to ascertain normalcy of your: blood pressure, temperature, pulse, blood type, Hb count (12.5 g) and body weight (45 kg at least). You also need to fall into the age group of 18-60.

You cannot donate blood if you have the following conditions: cancer, heart disease, abnormal bleeding tendencies, unexplained weight loss, diabetes-controlled by insulin, hepatitis infection, chronic nephritis, AIDS, liver disease, tuberculosis, Polycythemia Vera, asthma, epilepsy, leprosy, schizophrenia, and endocrine disorders.

In case you suspect that you suffer from any of the above conditions, make sure that you get these covered in your health checkup package.

You will have to defer donation in certain cases: abortions – 6 months, history of Blood transfusion – 6 months, surgery – 12 months, typhoid – 12 months after recovery, history of malaria and duly treated – 3 months (endemic) and 3 years (non-endemic area), tattoo – 6 months, breastfeeding – 12 months after delivery, immunization (cholera, typhoid, diphtheria, tetanus, plague, gammaglobulin) – 15 days, rabies vaccination – 1 year after vaccination, history of Hepatitis in family or close contact – 12 months, and immunoglobulin – 12 months.

So do not delay in locating an organisation that offers home collection centres or visit the nearest hospital to save lives by donating blood.

The Future Of Diagnostics Is In Safe Hands

Our changing attitude towards healthcare is certainly changing the way we look at diagnostics. Also, World Health Organisation (WHO) has made its vision to achieve universal health coverage very clear. Keeping all this in mind, we need pathology labs that are adequately equipped to diagnose a wide spectrum of diseases and have adopted cutting-edge technology.

It’s not just the idea of universal health coverage, which is revamping the diagnostic sector. Better diagnostic methods to determine the acutest of diseases are coming up and the idea of personalised medicine (genomic medicine) is being encouraged. To support universal health coverage, efforts are being aligned to bring down the costs of diagnostic services to a reasonable level.

To stay focused, we need visionaries like Dr Ashok Sharma, a pioneer who has a penchant for innovation and has tirelessly worked to improve Patient Care. Under his expertise and experience, Scientific Pathology has strengthened its reputation as a Diagnostic Centre across Uttar Pradesh, India. The lab has state-of-the-art equipment and a team that caters to more than 1000 patients everyday. More importantly, it provides affordable health checkup packages to cover a wider section of society.

The healthcare sector is finally thriving and acquiring an advanced outlook, which certainly is a sign of better things to come.

Scientific Pathology now has the facilities to diagnose Pro-RBDD

Agra, 11^th May, 2018: Scientific Pathology has added yet another feather in its hat as it can now provide an accurate diagnosis of Prospective Rare Bleeding Disorders (Pro-RBDD), using its state-of-the-art equipment and experienced team. It is now the only lab in Agra that can provide an assessment of bleeding disorders beyond BT/CT/PT and platelet count.

The deficiency of Factor VIII, Factor IX, and Fibrinogen are classified as rare bleeding disorders, and they can now be diagnosed at Scientific Pathology, which is the best pathology lab in Agra. The reports of these tests will be given to the concerned person on the same day.

Following are the costs for these tests:

l Factor VIII - Rs 2700/-

l Factor IX - Rs 2700/-

l Fibrinogen - Rs 1150/-

Factor VIII and Factor IX deficiencies are also known as Hemophilia A and Hemophilia B respectively. These are genetic disorders that are caused by the deficiency of a clotting protein. People having these deficiencies bleed longer than average as their blood clots slowly. More the deficiency, more will be the severity of the bleeding.

The test for Fibrinogen evaluates the ability of Fibrinogen (a soluble protein) to get converted into Fibrin, which is a protein that helps in clotting.

About Scientific Pathology

Scientific Pathology is one of the best and most reliable pathology labs with over 30 years of experience in providing diagnostic services. Scientific Pathology is the only lab in Uttar Pradesh to have 1 reference lab, 5 labs fully functional-in different cities, more than 50 sample collection pick-up points included authorised collection centres. The company’s corporate office is at Agra.