mercredi 31 décembre 2014

Urinalysis Reagent Test Strips Are A Fast And Accurate Solution

By Stacey Burt


Although they may seem like another technological wonder of the digital age, the small sticks or ribbons made of paper or plastic used to reveal abnormal changes in body chemistry originated over one hundred years ago. As early as the 1880s pharmacists and medical personnel began searching for new analytic methods superior to the cumbersome processes available at the time. The earliest types of urinalysis reagent test strips appeared in 1883, and revolutionized testing and diagnostics.

A century of development and practical field use has made them integral in detecting abnormal kidney output. They are used to measure the progress and scope of diabetes mellitus, an epidemic today due to current dietary preferences and inactive lifestyles. Other liver and blood indicators of disease are commonly revealed using this process, and detecting urinary tract infections has become quick and simple.

Most contain filter pads and layers held together without result-distorting glues. They are specifically engineered to avoid errors caused by excess physical exercise that sometimes leaves trace amounts of blood in the urine, as well as the presence of unusual amounts of ingested ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C. Special materials and non-reactive protections guarantee high accuracy.

Each pad specifically identifies a particular metabolic product. They can also detect the presence of blood, measure pH levels, and produce evidence of potentially harmful substances such as ketones, leukocytes, glucose, nitrites, and others chemicals. While these substances can also be measured using standard urine tests, strips offer advantages to patients, laboratory personnel, and physicians.

Accurate results can be read in 60 seconds, appearing as specific changes in color bands. Individual strips are purposely designed for upside-down reading, a feature appreciated by lab technicians dealing with multiple specimens. Specific colors represent individual chemicals, and can be easily compared side-by-side with change-resistant control colors printed on the packaging. Developing hues appear rapidly and evenly.

In addition to being fast and accurate, the process is also cost-effective. Its main purpose is not to make a specific diagnosis, but rather to see which metabolic indicators of trouble appear, and whether or not they indicate disease. For full confirmation, testing must followed by an examination. If a doctor requests individual monitoring at home, patients appreciate the small size and simple instructions.

With the guidance of a physician, many high-risk diabetic patients are able to accurately check personal levels of glucose and ketones, both of which are metabolic products indicating change. People suffering from hypertension with the possibility of kidney damage can easily check their own day-to-day function. Those experiencing repeated urinary tract infections find self-detection a good way to limit duration and speed recovery.

Because this type of test is widely available in pharmacies, there is the possibility that a specific reading that has not yet been medically interpreted may lead some patients to form inaccurate conclusions. If questions arise as a result of a personal test, the next step is to present those findings to a doctor. The ease of use, accuracy, and low cost of testing has helped many patients not only discover possible problems early, but to also find solutions.




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