How a Brain Tumor Is Diagnosed

Still, see your healthcare provider. Physical Examination Your healthcare providers physical examination can help determine whether you have a possible brain tumor. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions. Illustration by Verywell Some other imaging tests can be used in surgical planning. A biopsy is a major procedure, and it is the most definitive test for brain tumor diagnosis. It can help identify infections, inflammation, or cancer cells....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 269 words · Christopher Henson

How a Chinstrap Can Be Used With a CPAP Mask

Learn how chinstraps help improvemouth breathing, dry mouth, and leak from CPAP masks. A chinstrap may be helpful to reduce mouth leak. It may have a cup at the chin, much like a rugby headgear. Verywell / Brandon Peters Chinstraps are usually fairly inexpensive, often costing around $15 to $20. It keeps your mouth closed and allows you to get the full benefit of your CPAP. You will likely know if you need a chinstrap based on the feedback of others....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 219 words · Mr. John Ward

How a Dental Impression Is Made

A dental impression is an imprint of the teeth and mouth from which shaped items can be formed. Dental impressions produce a close replica of your teeth and oral tissue. A metal or plastic “horseshoe” shaped tray is chosen to fit the teeth and gums comfortably. zoranm / Getty Images A tray can be molded for either the top teeth, the bottom teeth, or both. Alginate is found within the cell walls of brown seaweeds....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 253 words · Linda Walter

How a Facetectomy May Help Relieve Pain

This surgery may be considered if there are neurologic changes in one or both arms or legs. Spinal fusion is performed to stabilize an unstable spinal segment. Other Potential Benefits Facetectomy has been studied for its potential benefits in a range of different studies. Jan-Otto / E+ / Getty Images Best Candidates It is important to remember that this procedure is not effective for everyone. These medications may increase your risk of bleeding during and after the surgery....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 440 words · Carlos Hicks

How a Heart Attack Is Diagnosed

Heart attack diagnosis begins with recognizing the symptoms and seeking prompt medical care. Imaging tests can also help with the diagnosis. Self-Check Thesigns and symptomsof a heart attack can vary from one person to the next. Verywell / Emily Roberts For some, there may be overt signs with tell-tale symptoms. Heart attacksymptoms like chest pain (angina) usually last more than a few minutes. For women, chest pain is the most common symptom....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 346 words · Eric Roy

How a Lack of REM Sleep Impacts Health and Learning

Rapid eye movement(REM) sleepis a stage of sleep. With a lack of REM sleep, symptoms emerge that can affect your health. It can lead tofatigue, irritability, changes in mood and memory, and issues with cognition and problem-solving. Tom Grill / Getty Images In some cases, medication (like antidepressants) may affect REM sleep quality and quantity. A lack of REM sleep leads to physical symptoms, too, consistent withsleep deprivationin general. It can affect cardiovascular health and increase the risk oftype 2 diabetes....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 611 words · Briana Ray

How a RAST Test Diagnoses Allergies

A RAST test (radioallergosorbenttest) is a blood test used to check for allergies. Many healthcare providers use skin tests to screen for theseimmunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodyresponses in your blood. This article explains how the RAST test is performed, along with its limitations. STOCK4B / Getty Images It also discusses how to read a RAST test and what the values on your test may indicate. What Is a RAST Test? RAST stands for radioallergosorbent test....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 595 words · Miss Sara Charles MD

How a Sinus Infection Is Diagnosed

The diagnosis of a sinus infection (sinusitis) is usually based onsymptomsand a physical exam. If your symptoms don’t improve withtreatment, you may need X-rays or aCT scan. Self-Checks Mostsinus infectionsare due to a viral infection, such as the viruses that cause thecommon cold. © Verywell, 2018 At that point, a viral sinus infection should begin to improve on its own. Pay attention to details about your sinus infectionsuch as when your symptoms began and how they have progressed....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Michelle Butler

How a Vitamin B12 Blood Test Can Help Confirm Your Levels

How to Interpret the Results Normal vitamin B12 levels range from 160 to 950 pg/mL. Values within this range indicate sufficient vitamin B12 to support bodily functions. Potential Risks The risks associated with a vitamin B12 blood test are minimal. stefanamer / Getty Images What About Home Tests? At-home test kits for vitamin B12 are available and often involve collecting a urine sample. There are two types of urine MMA tests: a 24-hour test and a random test....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 177 words · Danielle Fisher

How Accurate Are At-Home COVID-19 Tests?

This is compared to PCR tests, which are accurate about 95% of the time. The FDA has approved a wide variety of at-home COVID-19 tests. Most of these are rapid antigen tests, which provide results at home within a few minutes. Verywell / Joules Garcia How Accurate Are At-Home Tests? At-home COVID-19 tests can be very accurate, but their accuracy depends on several factors. PCR tests are done in a laboratory using an enzyme solution and extreme magnification....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 361 words · Bridget Gonzales

How Accurate Are Home Cholesterol Tests?

You might be considering trying a home cholesterol test because of its convenience and affordability. Keep in mind that these tests are limited in the information they provide. you gotta get a fuller picture of your health from a qualified physician. STEVE HORRELL / SPL / Getty Images Learn more about home cholesterol tests and their role in managing your cholesterol levels. STEVE HORRELL / SPL / Getty Images What Is Cholesterol?...

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 453 words · Vicki Mcdonald

How Accurate Are Pregnancy Tests?

Pregnancy tests check your urine or blood for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). Typically, a positive result means youre pregnant, and a negative result means youre not. However, interpreting your results can be complicated, depending on several factors. Nusha Ashjaee / Verywell Even if the line or plus sign is thin, if its visible, youre probably pregnant. This may indicate that your HCG levels are low because youre early in your pregnancy....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 283 words · James Harris

How ACL and PCL Injuries Differ

They are also common sites of serious tears, particularly in athletes. The PCL prevents the tibia from moving backward too far. They control the side-to-side motion of the knee. Barry Austin / Digital Vision / Getty Images The MCL is on the inside, and the LCL is on the outside. Where they tend to differ is the extent of the injury and the severity of symptoms. Because it’s smaller and weaker than the PCL, the ACL is more likely to sustain acomplete tear....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 365 words · Tammy Jimenez