A stool test is one where fecal matter is collected for analysis to diagnose the presence or absence of a medical condition.
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Fecal occult blood test
One of the most common stool tests, the Fecal occult blood test can be used to diagnose many conditions that cause in bleeding in the gastrointestinal system including Colorectal cancer or Stomach cancer. Faecal occult blood is a term for Blood present in the Faeces that is not visibly apparent Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer, includes Cancerous growths in the colon, Rectum and Stomach or gastric cancer can develop in any part of the Stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs particularly the Esophagus and [1]
Microbiology tests
Parasitic diseases such as Ascariasis, Hookworm, Strongyloidiasis and Whipworm can be diagnosed by examining stools under a microscope for the presence of worm larvae or eggs. Ascariasis is a Human Disease caused by the parasitic Roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides. The hookworm is a parasitic Nematode worm that lives in the Small intestine of its host which may be a Mammal such as a Dog, Strongyloidiasis is a Human parasitic disease caused by the Nematode ( Roundworm) Strongyloides stercoralis. The human whipworm ( Trichuris trichiura or Trichocephalus trichiuris) is a Roundworm, which causes Trichuriasis when it infects Some bacterial diseases can be detected with a stool culture. Toxins from bacteria such as Clostridium difficile ('C. Clostridium difficile (pronounced /klɒsˈtrɪdiəm dɪˈfɪsɪli/ also known as CDF/cdf' or 'C diff. ') can also be identified. Viruses such as rotavirus can also be found in stools. Rotavirus is a Genus of Double-stranded RNA virus in the family Reoviridae. [2]
Chemical tests
A fecal pH test may be used determine lactose intolerance or the presence of an infection. A Fecal pH test is one where a specimen of feces is tested for Acidity in order to diagnose a medical condition Lactose intolerance is the inability to metabolize Lactose, a sugar found in Milk and other Dairy products because the required enzyme [3] Steatorrhea can be diagnosed using a Fecal fat test that checks for the malabsorption of fat. Steatorrhea is the presence of excess fat in Feces. Stools may also float due to excess gas have an oily appearance and be foul smelling In Medicine, the fecal fat test is a diagnostic test for Fat Malabsorption conditions which lead to excess fat in the feces ( Steatorrhea) [4]
See also
References
- ^ Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT). A rectal examination or rectal exam is an internal examination of the Rectum such as by a Physician or other healthcare professional
- ^ Stool culture.
- ^ Stool Acidity Test - MedicineNet.com.
- ^ MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Fecal fat.
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