What is the sweat test?
The sweat test is a medical test used to measure the amount of chloride excluded from the body along with sweat. The amount is measured for a period of time and is used to determine whether a child has or may have cystic fibrosis. This disease causes victims to create increased concentrations of chloride and sodium in their sweat. Cystic fibrosis was a death penalty in the first half of the 20th century, and disabled children usually did not live after the first year. Improved treatment means that people are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in the 21st century. Century may expect to live in adulthood, although the disease requires constant treatment. Parents often report to the child's child's child's salt. This observation is generally sufficient to cause a doctor to order a sweat test. Such children will often have a positive test, which will lead to the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis.
sweat test helps doctors to diagnose this disease in children at the age of 2 days, IWhen infants do not have to produce enough sweat for accurate reading. The test does not require any special preparation and children who will be tested can continue their normal activities until the test. Once in the office or laboratory, the sweat test will take about an hour.
The sweat test procedure is quite simple. The chemical that causes the child to produce sweat is applied to his arm. Weak, painless electric current is then used to further trigger sweating in the test area. The sweat is then collected and tested for increased amounts of chlorine and sodium.
Although the sweat test is often used to confirm the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, it can be inconclusive. In these cases, the doctor may order further testing to confirm the presence or absence of the disease. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sometimes gather from saliva or blood and examines the genetic indicators of cystic fibrosis. Regardless of how diagnosis is made, the treatment of this disease begins as soon as possible. FurnaceE O Patients is a lifelong process.