An allergy blood test checks your blood for increased levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. The test can help detect allergies to foods, pets, pollen or other irritating substances. Antibodies are proteins your immune system produced in response to harmful substances such as viruses or bacteria. If you have an allergy, your body produces IgE in response to the allergen even if it’s harmless.
A test done on a sample of blood to measure the amount of certain substances in the blood or to count different types of blood cells. Blood tests may be done to look for signs of disease or agents that cause disease, to check for antibodies or tumor markers, or to see how well treatments are working.
Blood pressure is measured using a sphygmomanometer, or blood pressure monitor. It consists of an inflatable cuff that's wrapped around your arm, roughly level with your heart, and a monitoring device that measures the cuff's pressure.
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting 3 to 4 million people each year. It is a bacterial infection usually spread through unprotected vagina, anal or oral sex. Chlamydia cannot be passed on through "casual contact"™ i.e. you will not contract chlamydia from kissing, sharing baths, towels or toilet seats. If left untreated Chlamydia may lead to more serious complications.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It can cause an itchy, blister-like rash. The rash first appears on the chest, back, and face, and then spreads over the entire body, causing between 250 and 500 itchy blisters.
A DNA test can be performed by testing the blood or a cheek swab. A blood test uses Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) to compare the father's DNA with the DNA of the child. A cheek swab uses a buccal smear to collect cells inside the cheek to test for DNA. These tests provide a DNA sample for testing.
Diabetes tests measure glucose levels in blood or urine to see if you are at risk for or have diabetes. The A1C test is a blood test that provides your average levels of blood glucose over the past 3 months. Other names for the A1C test are hemoglobin A1C, HbA1C, glycated hemoglobin, and glycosylated hemoglobin test.
Microsuction is the gold standard technique for removing excess wax. It is a safer method of removing ear waxcompared to water irrigation, which can increase the risk of infection. The appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes, and you must use olive oil in both ears at least 10 days before the appointment to ensure the wax is soft enough to remove.
Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) are immunoassays that can identify the presence of influenza A and B viral nucleoprotein antigens in respiratory specimens, and display the result in a qualitative way (positive vs. negative). The test is designed to simultaneously detect three types of viruses: two types that cause influenza (type A and type B) and the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS- CoV-2) in direct anterior nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs.
A gut microbiome test is a method of analysing the health of the gut microbiota, which is the name for the populations of bacteria residing in the gut. Tests look at the composition of microbes in a sample of human stool.
Inverness piercings are known for their safety, comfort, and precision. The system uses a hand-pressured, fully enclosed instrument that avoids direct contact with the ear, reducing the risk of infection. It ensures a gentle, quiet procedure, ideal for those sensitive to pain. The pre-sterilized, hypoallergenic earrings used are designed to minimize allergic reactions. The service includes piercings, cleansing lotion and a guarantee to resolve any infections within 3 months of the piercing at no extra charge.
Hair loss, also called alopecia, is a disorder caused by an interruption in the body's cycle of hair production. Hair loss can occur anywhere on the body, but most commonly affects the scalp. On average, the scalp has 100,000 hairs that cycle through periods of growing, resting, falling out, and regenerating. Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just your scalp or your entire body, and it can be temporary or permanent.
As the name implies, iron deficiency anemia is due to insufficient iron. Without enough iron, your body can't produce enough of a substance in red blood cells that enables them to carry oxygen (hemoglobin). As a result, iron deficiency anemia may leave you tired and short of breath.
A sore throat means that your throat hurts. It feels irritated or scratchy. You may feel mild discomfort or a burning pain. A sore throat may feel worse when you swallow. A sore throat is pain, scratchiness or irritation of the throat that often worsens when you swallow. The most common cause of a sore throat (pharyngitis) is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat caused by a virus resolves on its own.
When travelling abroad it is important to get a thorough check up for any vaccinations you may need. Our travel clinics offer a comprehensive consultation in which a thorough risk assessment is undertaken for your benefit. A specialist Travel Clinic Pharmacist will then recommend the best course of vaccinations and anti-malarials required to ensure that your holiday is not ruined.
A condition in which bacteria invade and grow in the urinary tract (the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). Most urinary tract infections occur in the bladder or urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system - your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract - the bladder and the urethra.
The act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce protection from a specific disease. Immunization: A process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination. This term is often used interchangeably with vaccination or inoculation.
Weight loss is a decrease in body weight resulting from either voluntary (diet, exercise) or involuntary (illness) circumstances. Most instances of weight loss arise due to the loss of body fat, but in cases of extreme or severe weight loss, protein and other substances in the body can also be depleted. Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health, or physical fitness, refers to a reduction of the total body mass, by a mean loss of fluid, body fat (adipose tissue), or lean mass (namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon, and other connective tissue).