Friday, January 2, 2015

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.

Over one hundred years later, they are integral in assessing abnormal kidney output. Reagents are especially helpful for people suffering from diabetes mellitus, which has become epidemic worldwide due to unhealthy trends in physical activity and diet. The presence of disease indicators in the blood and liver can revealed by them, as well as rapid detection of chemical markers common to urinary tract infections.

Individual units contain layers and filter pads free from chemical glues that may alter results. While excess exercise or consumption of large amounts of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, just prior to a test may distort the readings, reagent ribbons are specifically designed to avoid that problem. Special materials help prevent false information, and other non-reactive protections help ensure accuracy.

Each pad is designed to identify a specific chemical by changing to a different color after exposure. They can determine if blood is present, and accurately measure pH balance. They are able to detect leukocytes, glucose, ketones, nitrites, and other products of metabolism. Although these can be also measured using other methods, strips are preferred by laboratory workers, doctors, and especially patients.

They produce highly accurate results within one minute, in the form of specific color displays. Strips are designed for use upside down in order to prevent hand contact, a feature especially useful for technicians. Specific colors representing individual chemicals can be easily compared to the fade-resistant tones printed on the packaging vials. Color development is uniform and even.

Not only is this screening method simple, easy, and specific, but it is also comparatively inexpensive. The primary goal is not to actually name a specific ailment, but to detect the individual metabolic indicators common to many conditions. Urine tests must followed by specific examinations for fuller confirmation. In cases where personal individual monitoring is required, patients find them easy to use, and helpful in preventing emergencies.

Patients at high risk for diabetes complications can track their own levels of glucose and ketones, both of which indicate internal changes. People currently attempting to avoid kidney damage resulting from hypertension use them to monitor daily progress. Common, recurring urinary tract infections can be detected without a trip to the doctor, and self-testing is becoming an increasingly popular choice.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment