Every part of the body is in charge of performing specific functions. If one part starts functioning poorly, the consequences of it can be felt throughout the body. Hence doctors needed to come up with specific tests to check if the body is working perfectly. Currently, one such test that provides a clear picture of an individual’s general health, is a urine routine examination test and this article will highlight the importance and different aspects of it.
What is a urine routine test:
A urine routine examination test is also known as a urinalysis. This test can be used to identify a variety of problems in the urinary tract, diabetes, kidney disease, and even possible infections. The test monitors the concentration, appearance, and contents inside the urine to ensure that there are no abnormalities that indicate diseases or disorders.
Reasons:
Listed below are a few reasons why a urine routine test is conducted:
- To keep track of a person’s general health:
A urinalysis is conducted in many different situations like checkups during pregnancy, for routine medical examinations, pre-surgical preparation, or to detect possible infections and disorders in the body. It can help in checking the overall health of a patient.
- For diagnosis:
In case a patient suffers from frequent back pain, abdominal pain, pain while urinating, or bleeds while urinating it can be a sign of a larger problem. Doctors often use routine urine examinations to diagnose what the problem could be.
- For minoring a patient’s condition:
If a person has already been diagnosed with a medical condition like urinary tract disease or kidney disease, using a urine routine examination can help doctors keep a check on the condition and treatment of the patient.
Preparation:
For ordinary urine tests, one does not need to fast or follow any specific diet. However, if the urine sample is being used for a separate test, then there may be some special instructions that need to be followed. If a patent is on some medication or drugs, informing the doctor about the same is advisable to avoid any potential issues.
Results:
In a routine urine test, the results can be evaluated in three different ways using a dipstick test, visual exam, or microscopic exam. The different facets of the tests have been elaborated below:
1. Visual examination:
A visual examination of the urine is the most basic test as the appearance of it can indicate a lot initially itself. An unusual odor, cloudiness, or different couture can indicate a variety of different problems like infections, disorders, diseases, etc.
The color of the urine can also be extremely indicative as a reddish shade can imply blood which can be indicative of many different problems in the body.
2. Dipstick test:
A dipstick refers to a plastic stick that has strips of chemicals attached to it. A dipstick is dipped into the urine sample to access the chemical components of the sample. The strip attached to the stick usually changes color in the presence of some chemicals in urine or if there are high amounts of certain elements. A dipstick test checks the following characteristics of the urine sample:
- Acidity
- Protein content
- Concentration
- Sugar content
- Ketones
- Level of bilirubin
- Signs of infection
- Blood
3. Microscopic examination:
As the name indicates, several drops of urine are examined using a microscope to check if there are normal quantities of substances like:
- White blood cells – an abnormal count may be indicative of an infection
- Bacteria or yeast – their presence is because of an infection
- Red blood cells – an abnormal amount of red blood cells in the urine can be indicative of a blood disorder, bladder cancer, kidney disease, or some other problem
- Crystals – crystals that are created in urine can be a sign of a kidney disease
- Casts – casts refer to proteins that are shaped like tubes and are indicative of kidney disease too.
Non-definitive:
A urine routine test is not definitive and in case of any unusual results, a follow-up test might be necessary. In healthy individuals, a result that is slightly elevated in one area may not be too alarming; however, for patients with other diseases and disorders even a small deviation from the normal can be a major cause for concern.
Conclusion
A urine rounding examination is extremely important for an ordinary checkup and to monitor the condition of patients with preexisting diseases and disorders. The information presented above can help individuals learn about the urine routine test, when it is used, how to prepare for it, and what the results indicate.
We must seek direct assistance from experts to avail more knowledge and information about this topic. Be sure to give priority to your health as a healthy body lays the foundation for a prosperous life.
