Prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system and PSA (prostate specific agent) is a protein produced by prostate cells. Prostate cancer is diagnosed with the help of a PSA test. PSA test is performed by taking a blood sample from the patient. High PSA range indicates cancer or inflamed prostate. So, when PSA test is taken, other factors that confirm prostate cancer must be taken into account as well.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Though high level of PSA can indicate cancer, a healthy man without any cancer should have little amount of PSA in his blood circulation.

To prepare for the test, make sure your doctor is aware of the medication you are on. Some medication can tamper with your blood test and make your PSA range appear falsely low. Other than informing your doctor about the medication, there is nothing more you have to do to prepare for the test.

The PSA test is performed for these reasons:

• To check if the patient has prostate cancer
• To check if the treatments for prostate cancer are going right and if the cancer has returned
• To check if the prostate gland is normal or not during physical exam

Checking the PSA range may increase the chance of finding prostate cancer when it is at an early stage. But before you take this test, ask your doctor if there can be any negative consequences of the test.

Results:

The PSA test alone cannot diagnose the prostate cancer. One needs to get a prostate biopsy done to diagnose this cancer. Your doctor will consider your age, medication, ethnicity and other things along with your test to decide whether your PSA is normal or more tests are required.

PSA range is considered normal when it is 4.0 nanograms per millimeter or blood (4.0 ng/ml). Men who are in their 50s or are younger should have their PSA range below 2.5 ng/ml of blood. Older men usually have higher ranger of PSA as compared to younger men.

PSA test is important to know if someone has prostate cancer or not, but it is not foolproof. This is because there are other causes of high level of PSA such as:

Large prostate
Infection is prostate
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
Recent intercourse or ejaculation
Recent placement of catheter tube
Recent bladder tests

The human body is wired in such a manner that it can protect itself to a certain degree from various infections and diseases. However, there are instances when the body succumbs to these diseases if it’s stronger than our immune system. Also, certain disorders are a result of some malfunctioning of the organs of our body, especially when something interferes with its functioning. The human body has the ability to show that there’s something wrong with it by showing certain symptoms. When these symptoms are deciphered at the right time, the disease can be cured easily.

Similarly, the presence of blood in urine indicates that there’s something seriously wrong with the body, and neglecting this symptom of the presence of blood in urine can lead to grave problems in future. Hematuria or blood in urine is a symptom of some serious underlying disease.

The symptom of blood in urine occurs due to the following reasons.

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)- One of the most common symptoms of urinary tract infection is the appearance of blood in urine. When bacteria lodges itself on the lining of the urinary tract and they multiply at a faster rate, it leads to UTIs. In addition to the symptom of blood in urine, a person suffering from UTI also shows symptoms such as- frequent urination, burning sensation while urinating, foul-smelling urine, etc.
• Kidney stones– When the individual starts showing symptoms where blood in urine appears, it might indicate the presence of kidney stones. Over a period of time, the minerals deposit on the walls of the bladder or the kidneys and crystallize. Mostly, kidney stones are quite harmless, but if they obstruct the flow of urine, the pain one experiences is often accompanied by the presence of blood in urine.
• Strenuous exercises– Everything, when performed in moderation, yields desired results. However, lifting heavy weights or performing strenuous exercises can cause trauma to the bladder, and this trauma can result in the appearance of blood in urine. This symptom where blood appears in urine serves as a warning that one needs to ease off one their heavy workouts.
• Enlarged prostate– When an individual shows the symptom of blood in urine, an enlarged prostate is often the culprit here. The prostate gland, which is situated right below the bladder and surrounds the top of the urethra in men, enlarges as they start aging. This enlarged prostate bladder compresses the urethra and obstructs the flow of urine. This, in turn, leads to the microscopic or visible presence of blood in urine.

If you ever notice this symptom of blood in urine appear, it is better to seek medical attention immediately.

What is hemoglobin A1C test?
You can call this a diagnostic procedure that determines your blood sugar level from the time blood new red blood cells were created in your body. Red blood cells renew in within 3-4 months, so this test usually shows the blood sugar level of the past 3-4 months. This hemoglobin A1C blood test helps you to find out how close you are to getting diabetes so you can take necessary precautions before things go out of hand. You also come to know what type of diabetes you have, if you have.

Cost of hemoglobin A1C test
The cost of this test may vary from location to location. In some areas the cost is between $28 to $49 and in some it starts from $100. You can perform a local search to know about the cost in your neighborhood.

Without insurance: Medical cost has drastically moved higher over the past couple of years and without insurance your hemoglobin A1C test can cost you a lot because it isn’t a one time test, to monitor your blood sugar level, this test will be recommended more than once. A single test can cost around $100 and combined tests can come up to $1500 without insurance.

With insurance: People who have insurance will not face the above-mentioned cost as most insurance have the cost of blood tests covered. However, there are some insurance that might not fully cover the cost, for that you might have to check your insurance policy.

How hemoglobin A1C test works?
A1C is another word for glycated hemoglobin. When glucose cross links with hemoglobin, it becomes glycated hemoglobin leading a person towards diabetes condition. Hemoglobin A1C test measures the A1C level. This test can also diagnose pre-diabetes apart from Type II diabetes.

Who should get tested?
Diabetes is a lifetime disease and a serious disease. Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, you cannot cure it. The only way to deal with it is by following a certain type of restrictive lifestyle. Hence, it is importance to learn if you are close to getting the disease or not so you can take precautions.

People who are obese should definitely get this test done. Obesity is one of the main causes of diabetes and many other blood and heart related diseases.

People who are overweight but not obese should also get this test done as they can get diabetes if certain things aren’t controlled before time.

People who have a family history of diabetes should also get this test done as in most cases people who are slightly overweight and have a family history of diabetes, might be more prone to diabetes than people who have no family history of diabetes.

Hemoglobin is that one term you often come across when you go for a blood test. These are iron-containing agents (complex protein) you find in your red blood cells that help the body to function by using oxygen. Hemoglobin determines when and how to use oxygen for the body. In other words, hemoglobin’s function is to carry oxygen to the body tissues form lungs and to pump oxygen. It is the iron content in hemoglobin that keeps the red blood cells in shape.

Here is what goes wrong and why you go for hemoglobin A1C test:

As we read above that hemoglobin is a protein that is found in the red blood cells. Glucose is type of sugar that helps provide energy to your body. When everything is in the right amount, your body functions perfectly. But then there is too much glucose in your body, it crosslinks to your hemoglobin and this crosslinking is called Glycation. And the glycated hemoglobin is called A1C. This is why we go for a hemoglobin A1C test to find out the level of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. Another term for glycated hemoglobin is Hb1c.

If you are diabetic, getting a hemoglobin A1C test is gives you a clear picture of how much glucose has been cross-linked to your hemoglobin or in other words, how much glycation is there in your body.

If you are obese without diabetes or overweight without diabetes, even then you should get hemoglobin A1C test done as that can help you prevent from getting diabetes in the future. Here is the reason why you should get this test done even if you are not diabetic:

For instance, you were on a high glucose diet in the past couple of days (unknowingly). That led to cross linkage of glucose to your hemoglobin causing glycation. You realize you have been taking too much sugar so now you are conscious about what you eat and so, your blood sugar level now seems fine. But does that mean you are out of danger? The answer is no. That is because your red blood cells might still have the memory of A1C, however, the memory cannot stay for long as the red blood cells constantly change over the course of 3-4 months. The hemoglobin A1C test will show you your blood sugar level of till date from the time they (red blood cells) had been formed newly. So, now you will know how your glucose has been doing over the past 3-4 months and that is helpful information for you by leading you to the path of maintaining healthy hemoglobin A1C level, which is close to, or less than 5%.

Uric acid, when produced in excess or not efficiently flushed out through the urine, a number of acid increases in the bloodstream. High levels of uric acid in the blood leads to the formation of uric crystals that deposit within the joints. This causes the development of gout, a very painful condition. If the levels of uric acids continue to build up, one may also be at the risk of developing kidney illnesses.

Here are top 6 home remedies that act as uric acid medication and help in the prevention of further complications.

Drink lots of water – Water is essential for maintaining good health and keeping the body going through the day. Drinking water helps in flushing out the excess uric acid in the bloodstream. One should drink at least 8-12 glasses in a day. Uric acid build-up can increase when the body is not well-hydrated. Also, water goes hand in hand with the effectiveness of the uric acid medication.

Lime juice – Lime juice contains high levels of citric acid. This acid helps in effectively dissolving the uric acid and flushing out excess amounts from the body. One should drink lemon juice diluted in water at least two times a day. Also, consuming fruits that are high in Vitamin C like oranges and Amla will help in controlling uric acid levels.

Fibre-foods – Adding foods that are high in fiber to one’s diet is beneficial in controlling the level of uric acid in the blood. Fibres do a great job and act like uric acid medication by absorbing the uric acid and flushing the same out through the stools. Some of the good fiber-foods include oats, bananas, and healthy grains.

Fruits and vegetables – Fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants are excellent in controlling uric acid levels. They contain flavonoids that help in reducing stiffness and inflammation. Also, foods such as tomatoes and bell peppers are high in alkaline and help in balancing the uric acid levels in the blood.

Baking soda – Baking soda is found to have a very good effect in lowering uric acid levels. It maintains a natural alkaline balance and flushes out uric acid. Drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of baking soda diluted daily will help.

Apart from following the above self-care treatments, it is necessary to regularly visit a medical professional regularly. Carrying out tests to check the levels of uric acid in the blood and following a strict diet apart from consuming uric acid medication is absolutely necessary.

Blood circulation is the continuous movement of blood in the different parts and organs of the body. The circulation of blood takes place as a result of the heart’s ability to pump out blood at a constant rate. An individual dies when the heart stops pumping out blood and blood circulation comes to a halt.

Poor blood circulation can bring about several health conditions. These include blood clots, cardiovascular diseases, headaches and memory loss. This is why it is essential to strive and improve blood circulation. Here is how to improve blood circulation by practicing the following activities:

Hydrate the body – Today, most people live a busy lifestyle and tend to ignore the underlying need of the body that is hydration. The organs of the body require being well-hydrated to function properly. Also, blood is made up of a high percentage of water. Water also flushes out toxins from the body. Thus, you should continue to sip on water through the day.

Stress management – High-levels of stress has a significant impact on the blood circulation. When one encounters too much of stress, the body puts up a fight. This affects the functioning of the central nervous system and this limits the flow of blood through the body. Stress should be managed by indulging in activities that make you happy, such as painting or riding a cycle. Yoga and meditation too are effective practices that are found to improve blood circulation.

Get moving – When the body is not active, the circulatory system does not work as well as it should. The blood circulation heavily relies on the movement of the body. If you are not able to stay active during the day, making exercise a part of a routine is an effective way to improve blood circulation. A 30 min run or walk every day will help.

Reduce alcohol consumption – Excess alcohol consumption can harden the arteries, this leads to a hindrance in healthy blood circulation. It can cause dehydration and a spike in blood pressure levels. Thus, if you are wondering how to improve blood circulation, drinking alcohol in moderation is the key.

Get a massage – Getting a massage is not only perfect for relieving stress but also stimulate the flow of blood. A massage can be done using soothing oils such as almond or coconut oil. Using this therapy at least once a week is a good way to improve blood circulation.

The above activities are natural and come with no harsh-effects on the body. Thus, they should be practiced regularly and made a part of life.

WBC is white blood cells in the body that is helpful in fighting against infections, germs, bacteria, and virus in the body. It is important to understand how the WBC count works and how it affects the body’s immune system. A normal WBC count varies anywhere between 3,500 to 10,500 in adults.

What if the WBC count is more than the normal range?
It is seen that a lower white blood cell count can cause a number of health issues. This is one of the reasons that an elevated level of WBC count is often neglected as people think that it is not a matter of concern. However, a high WBC count does not specifically indicate the symptom of a disease but can be related to other issues such as:

• Stress
• Inflammation
• Trauma
• Allergy
• Infection

So, it is important to go for a Complete Blood Cell (CBC) test that will also include a WBC count. In case, if the count differs from the normal WBC count, then it is better to consult the doctor.

What does a low WBC count signify?
WBC or white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. A flexible tissue, bone marrow is found in some of the bones of the body. A low white blood cell count can be caused by a number of reasons that affect the functioning of the bone marrow. Some of these are:

• Viral infections
  It is known that viral infections affect the working of the bone marrow. This, in turn, weakens the immune system by momentarily disrupting the functioning of the bone marrow.
• Congenital diseases
  Certain congenital disorders, which are disorders present at birth, might also cause the bone marrow to dysfunction.
• Medications
• Cancer
• Autoimmune disorders that affect the production of white blood cells

Let us look at the symptoms of an abnormal WBC count
In case the WBC count lower than the normal WBC count range then the person might experience one or a few of the following symptoms. These signs can be a warning as to the body’s immune system is weak, and there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be taken care of.

A low WBC count can lead to:

• Headaches
• Fever
• Body aches

Generally, a higher WBC count does not show any symptoms, but this does not mean that it should be ignored. Any underlying medical condition can be a cause of a higher WBC count as well.