Health Article description.Use this form for any tests your doctor recommends, such as blood tests, urine tests, or X-rays. General questions What is the name of the test? Why do I need this test? What might happen if the test is delayed or not done? How accurate is the test? Are there other tests that are more accurate? How much does the test...

Health Article description.Allergy shots are a type of immunotherapy to help treat allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. Small doses of substances (allergens) are injected under the skin. This may help your immune system reduce or eliminate sensitivity to the allergen that causes an allergic reaction. A doctor will do skin or blood tests to find...

Health Article description.Provides links to info about allergies. Includes allergic rhinitis and food allergies. Also looks at controlling indoor allergens and whether you should have allergy shots.

Health Article description.Guides you through decision to have allergy-shot immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and allergic asthma. Explains how allergy shots work. Covers who should not have them. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Health Article description.Provides overview of tests used to find out what a person might be allergic to. Covers skin and blood tests. Explains why and how each test is done. Discusses risks. Explains results and offers points to consider before having tests.

Health Article description.An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to a substance called an allergen. Allergens include chemicals, foods, medicines, mold, plants, and pollen. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild and annoying to severe and life-threatening. Allergens can affect different tissues in the body...

Health Article description.Guides through decision to take shots for insect sting allergies. Describes different types of allergic reactions. Includes how allergy shots work. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Health Article description.Lung function tests (also called pulmonary function tests) are done to check how well your lungs are working. The test may be done to find the cause of breathing problems, diagnose lung diseases, or find out how well treatment for a lung problem is working. There are many types of lung function tests. Spirometry...

Health Article description.Exercise challenge tests and inhalation or exhalation challenge tests are sometimes used to diagnose asthma and workplace asthma (occupational asthma). Exercise challenge test In an exercise challenge test, spirometry is done before and after you exercise on a treadmill or an exercise bicycle. Spirometry measures how...

Health Article description.A penicillin allergy is an allergic reaction that occurs when your body's immune system overreacts to these antibiotics. Many people who believe that they have an allergy to penicillin don't have it. They may have a side effect, rather than an...

Health Article description.Allergies occur when your body's defense system (immune system) overreacts to certain substances (allergens). The immune system treats a harmless substance as if it were a harmful invader. Many things can cause this to happen. Your allergies are...

Health Article description.Explains what a drug allergy is. Offers a list of symptoms. Covers medicines that can cause an allergic reaction. Discusses how allergies are diagnosed and treated. Provides home treatment options. Covers when to call a doctor.

Health Article description.A drop of a solution containing a possible allergen is placed on the skin. Then a series of scratches or needle pricks lets the solution enter the skin. If the skin gets a red, raised itchy area (called a wheal), it usually means that the person is allergic to that allergen.

Health Article description.A latex allergy is an allergic reaction that happens after repeated contact with latex, such as latex gloves. It affects people who are often exposed to rubber products. Medical products that may contain latex include: Gloves. Drains, tourniquets,

Health Article description.Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages that is most often caused by allergies or respiratory infections. You may have a runny or stuffy nose. You may also have itchy eyes, ears, and throat. If allergies are the cause, your doctor may do tests to find out what you are allergic to. You may be able to relieve...

Health Article description.A false-positive test result is one that appears to detect a disease or condition when in fact it is not present. A false-positive test result may thus suggest that a person has the disease or condition when they do not. For example, a false-positive pregnancy test result would be one that appears to detect the...

Health Article description.Lab tests play an important role in your health care. They help your doctor make a diagnosis or treatment decisions. But they may not provide all of the information that your doctor needs. Your doctor will not usually make a decision or diagnosis based only on the results of a lab test, unless the test results are...

Health Article description.A peanut allergy is a reaction that occurs when your body mistakenly identifies peanuts as a harmful substance. When you eat peanuts or food that contains peanuts, your body's immune system overreacts. This can cause a severe allergic reaction that...

Health Article description.Covers screening tests, diagnostic tests, and medical exams used to find a disease or determine risk for certain health problems. Covers well-child visits. Includes links to info on routine tests for men, for women, and at various stages of life.

Health Article description.Ultrasound is a test that uses reflected sound waves to produce an image of organs and other structures in the body. It does not use X-rays or other types of possibly harmful radiation. For ultrasound testing, gel or oil is applied to the skin to help transmit the sound waves. A small, handheld instrument called a...

Health Article description.Discusses allergic rhinitis. Covers common immediate and chronic symptoms. Looks at what increases risk. Covers treatment options. Offers prevention and treatment tips.

Health Article description.Discusses causes and symptoms of food allergies. Covers what increases risk. Discusses treatment options, including medicine choices. Offers home care and prevention tips. Covers when to call a doctor.

Health Article description.Explains allergies to insect stings. Covers symptoms. Discusses local and systemic reactions. Covers diagnosis and treatment options. Offers home treatment tips.

Health Article description.Provides links to info on sore throats, ear infections, and sinusitis. Also has info on mononucleosis tests and decision aids for sleep apnea and allergies.

Health Article description.A test for catecholamines measures the amount of the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in the blood. These catecholamines are made by nerve tissue, the brain, and the adrenal glands. Catecholamines help the body respond to stress or fright and prepare the body for "fight-or-flight" reactions. The...