American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [109]
Before having a sigmoidoscopy, you will be given instructions about emptying your intestine. For example, your doctor may recommend that you have one or two enemas before the procedure, and you may be asked to use a laxative or to modify your diet in some way. For the procedure, you lie on your side on an examining table while the doctor inserts the flexible tube (about the thickness of a finger) into your anus and rectum and slowly directs it up through the lower colon. You may feel some discomfort, such as pressure and slight cramping in your lower abdomen. The procedure takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Blood Tests
Doctors order blood tests for a number of reasons. By taking a sample of blood and having it evaluated in a laboratory, a doctor can learn if you are susceptible to developing a particular disorder or can determine the cause of an existing disorder and how to treat it. Many factors, such as taking prescription or nonprescription medications, drinking alcohol, or eating before the test, can affect the test results. You will be given instructions on how to prepare for a blood test.
Complete Blood Cell Count
A doctor takes a complete blood cell (CBC) count to check the quantity and quality of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets—three major types of cells in the blood. A CBC count consists of six different tests.
Red blood cell count
The red blood cell (RBC) count is used to determine if the level of red cells (which transport oxygen to tissues) in the blood is too high or too low. Extremely high levels of red blood cells may be a sign of a blood disorder such as polycythemia; extremely low levels may be a sign of anemia.
Routine Vaccinations for Adults
In addition to periodic health checkups and screening tests, your doctor will probably recommend that you have vaccinations against some potentially dangerous infectious diseases. The vaccinations you should have will depend on your risk factors. Talk to your doctor about having the following vaccinations.
Vaccination Who Should Have It? When?
Tetanus booster All adults. Every 10 years.
Diphtheria booster All adults. Every 10 years.
Chickenpox Adults who have never had chickenpox or the vaccination. Any time.
Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine Adults over age 60 or who have a chronic disease, live in a long-term care facility, are health care workers, or have an impaired immune system. Every 5 to 10 years.
Influenza vaccine All adults. Every fall (at the beginning of the flu season).
Measles, mumps, and rubella Everyone who was born after 1956 and has not had these infections or a vaccination. Any time.
Hepatitis B Health care workers and anyone who has a chronic disease or multiple sex partners. Any time.
Meningitis College students or travelers to areas where meningitis is prevalent. Any time; for travelers, at least 1 week before departure.
Hematocrit
The hematocrit test, like the RBC count, is used to look for extremely high or low levels of red blood cells. In the hematocrit test, the doctor pricks a person’s finger, and puts a drop of the person’s blood into a glass tube. The tube is then spun in a machine at high speed, causing the red blood cells to sink to the bottom and leaving the liquid part of the blood at the top.
White blood cell count
The white blood cell (WBC) count is used to determine if the level of white blood cells (which fight infection) is too high or too low. High or low levels of white blood cells may be a sign that you have an infection or are at increased risk of an infection. High levels of white blood cells can also indicate a blood cancer such as leukemia.
Differential blood cell count
A differential blood cell count measures the amounts of the five different types of white blood cells—neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. High or low levels of any of the different types of cells may be a sign of infection or allergies or of more serious disorders