Audiometry is the science of measuring hearing acuity for variations in sound intensity and pitch and for tonal purity, involving thresholds and differing frequencies. Typically, audiometric tests determine a subject's hearing levels with the help of an audiometer, but may also measure ability to discriminate between different sound intensities, recognize pitch, or distinguished speech from background noise. Acoustic reflex and optoacoustic emissions may also be measured. Results of audiometric tests are used to diagnose hearing loss or diseases of the ear, and often make use of an Audiogram.

The most commonly used assessment of hearing is the determination of the threshold of audibility, i.e. the level of sound required to be just audible. This level can vary for an individual over a range of up to 5 dB from day to day and from determination to determination, but it provides an additional and useful tool in monitoring the potential ill effects of exposure to noise. Before carrying out a hearing test, it is important to obtain information about the person's past medical history, not only concerning the ears but also other conditions which may have a bearing on possible hearing loss detected by an audiometric test. The hearing loss is usually bilateral, but variations in each ear have been observed. Wax in the ear can also cause hearing loss, so the ear should be examined to see if syringing is needed; also to determine if the eardrum has suffered any damage which may reduce the ability of sound to be transported to the cochlea.

What is Computed Tomography?

Computed tomography (also known as CT or CAT scan) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of low-dose x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images of the body. These detailed images help diagnose medical conditions that may not be seen with conventional x-rays. CT is typically used to evaluate internal organs of the head, chest, abdomen, or pelvis, but is also useful in evaluating bone pathology, including tumours and fractures. Nahar Medical Center is equipped with an advanced CT Scanner (GE Brigthspeed Elite 16 slice CT).

What is GE Brightspeed Elite 16 Slice CT?

Low Dose, High Resolution
The GE Brightspeed Elite 16 slice CT features up to 0.35 mm isotropic at an optimized dose. The high resolution is made capable by the Highlight matrix detector and GE's Volara digital DAS. The Volara digital DAS enhances processing power while reducing electronic noise from 30 to 40%.

X-rays (also called radiographs) are produced by passing a small amount of controlled radiation through the body. Radiations from x-rays are absorbed differently by the tissues of the body. When x-rays pass through the body, these differences are captured on a special readout cassette. For example, bone absorbs more radiation than soft tissue, making it appear bright white on film. Radiologists use x-ray films to detect and help diagnose certain conditions such as broken bones, pneumonia and emphysema.

Nahar Medical Center chooses digital x-rays that have the best flexibility and dose reducing features.

What are the limitations of x-rays?

Standard x-rays do not always detect disease unless the pathology is in an advanced state. Sometimes tumours have to grow very large before they are seen on x-ray. Instead of using regular x-rays, some physicians request computed tomography (CT) scans for a detailed examination. These scans show detailed three dimensional views of 'slices' of the body, not just images from the front, back, and sides, as with standard x-rays.

Echocardiogram often referred to cardiac echo or simply an echo is a sonogram of the heart. Echocardiography uses standard two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound to create images of the heart.

Echocardiography has become routinely used in the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with any suspected or known heart diseases. It is one of the most widely used diagnostic tests in cardiology. It can provide a wealth of helpful information, including the size and shape of the heart (internal chamber size quantification), pumping capacity, and the location and extent of any tissue damage. An Echocardiogram can also give physicians other estimates of heart function such as a calculation of the cardiac output, ejection fraction, and diastolic function (how well the heart relaxes). The biggest advantage to echocardiography is that it is non-invasive and has no known risks or side effects.

Not only can an echocardiogram create ultrasound images of heart structures, but it can also produce accurate assessment of the blood flowing through the heart, using pulsed or continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. This allows assessment of both normal and abnormal blood flow through the heart. Colour Doppler as well as spectral Doppler is used to visualize any abnormal communications between the left and right side of the heart, any leaking of blood through the valves (valvular regurgitation), and to estimate how well the valves open (or do not open in the case of valvular stenosis).

Equipment used at Nahar Medical Center: GE VIVID S6

Sonomammography is one of the most effective diagnostic tools used to detect breast lumps early so that treatment can begin at the earliest. It is primarily tested on women who experience early signs and symptoms of breast cancer. With an early diagnosis, the mortality rate for this fatal disease can be reduced.

How to understand the test results of sonomammography?

Doctors usually refer to the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System or BI-RADS to decipher the test results of a sonomammography. This reporting system has certain specific terminology that any doctor can refer to understand the results of your sonomammogram. If you wish to understand the results of your sonomammography, your doctor will likely help you out.

Why do I need sonomammography/sonomammogram?

If you find that a new lump has developed anywhere in and around your breast or underarm, it is a cause for concern, and you should get a sonomammography done. However, there are other symptoms like thickening of the breast tissue, irritation in the breast, etc., that could indicate the need for a sonomammography test.

What is the difference between a sonomammogram and a mammogram?

The difference between a sonomammogram and a mammogram is that the former uses ultrasound waves to develop images of the breast tissue, while the latter uses radiation to do the same. During a mammogram, the breast is placed between two plates and passed under radiation. It develops a detailed image of its internal structure.

Is Sonomammogram safe?

A sonomammography test (or sonomammogram) is considered much safer than conventional mammograms for only one reason. The former does not use any form of radiation that could have side effects on sensitive breast tissue. Sonomammography uses only harmless ultrasound, whereas mammograms use radiation.

Ultrasonography (also called ultrasound or sonography) is a non-invasive real time imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves and a computer to obtain a medical image of various organs, vessels and tissues within the body. With no injection of contrast or radiation exposure, ultrasound is a safe, effective way to view internal organs as they function and to assess blood flow through various organs. Nahar Medical Center is equipped with GE 3D and 4D ultrasound systems that enable real-time techniques for acquiring, navigating and analyzing images.

Parts of the body that can be examined using ultrasound include the breast, thyroid, abdomen, female pelvic area, prostate, scrotum, as well as arteries and veins. Medical conditions that can be detected with ultrasound include abdominal pathologies like gallstones, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, etc. as well as enlargement or narrowing of arteries and flow patterns in the blood vessels.

Ultrasound is also used to check the health and well-being of an unborn baby, including the foetus size, growth rate, positioning and breathing.

• Spirometry is a test that can help diagnose various lung conditions most commonly Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Pulmonary fibrosis.
• Spirometry tests look at how well your lungs work.
• Spirometry is a painless study of air volume and flow rate within the lung.
• Spirometry measures how much air you can inhale and how much fast you can exhale.
• Spirometry is indicated for following reason:
  • To diagnose & manage asthma.
  • To detect respiratory disease in patients presenting with symptoms of breathlessness and to distinguish respiratory from cardiac disease as the cause.
  • To assess of impairment from occupational asthma.
  • To conduct pre-operative risk assessment before anaesthesia or cardiothoracic surgery.

Spirometry may be used periodically to check how well your medications are working and whether your symptoms are under control.

Avoid eating large meal before your test.so it will be easier to breathe. Wear loose clothing that won't interfere with your ability to take a deep breath. Avoid bronchodilator and nebulization before test to see how well medications are working.

Spirometry test is highly dependent on patient cooperation and effort.

Pathology is scientific study of structural and functional changes in disease or the alterations that occur when abnormal influences (bacteria, viruses etc.) affect cells, tissues, or body systems. More specifically, pathology may be defined as the "scientific study of the molecular, cellular, tissue, or organ system response to injurious agents or adverse influences."

Today, at Nahar Medical Center, our lab services offerings encompass a wide range of investigations from routine tests to highly specialized ones all under one roof. Typically, most specialized investigations require huge capital investments in equipment, in addition to requiring highly skilled and trained technical staff to undertake these investigations. On the other hand, these tests may not be required in large volumes leading to cost inefficiencies and making it unviable for most hospitals or laboratories to offer these investigations.

Nahar Medical Center offers a comprehensive test menu covering the key disciplines of conventional lab services:

• Clinical Biochemistry
• Haematology
• Clinical Pathology
• Histopathology & Cytopathology
• Microbiology
• Serology/Immunology

We offer a complete spectrum of services from routine tests such as CBC or Blood Glucose to highly specialized investigations for infectious diseases, cancer markers, hormonal assays, and therapeutic drug assays etc. We have a variety of Profile testing for every age group covering wide range of tests.

Each individual discipline is headed by experienced, professionally qualified doctors supported by a team of qualified and trained technologists.

All quantitative investigations are undertaken on fully automated state of the art analyzers, which eliminate the chance of any human error thereby ensuring good quality & reproducibility of reports which will help in clinical diagnosis & treatment.