Given today’s excelling technology and the never-ending advances, it is no surprise that medical findings and research have come up with new ways to detect diseases that are related to blood.

Researchers and studies have shown that simple blood conditions can be detected by sound waves. These waves are produced within the body when they are struck by laser lights. With this advancement there is now a way to find out the shapes and also the sizes of blood cells. This new finding could be carried out by healthcare professionals to diagnosis patients with conditions in the blood because this new way takes only seconds for feedback.

Researchers in the article stated that their plan is to produce instruments that will allow these detections and make fast diagnosis and therefore provide faster treatment. Studies and results shown in the article concluded that shapes other than that bi-concave shape has a list of reasons why the abnormal shape occurs.

Researchers that carried out the study used the instrument called a photoacoustic microscope to detect sound. They carried out this experiment using a minimal amount of blood cells of about 20. This was just enough to give back readings that they were expecting—different sounds!

In closing, they leave with saying that their next big technological advancement is to eventually use a microfluidic device. They will continue to use the current ways of lasers, but will now incorporate the use of probes. With this simple incorporation, healthcare providers can test thousands instead of testing just blood samples. Their hope is to eventually get this method working effectively and then broaden this and check individual’s white blood cells.

Cell Press. “Listening to blood cells: Simple test could use sound waves for diagnosing blood-related diseases.” ScienceDaily, 2 Jul. 2013. Web. 18 Jul. 2013.

“Listening to Blood Cells.” Photonics. 18 Jul. 2013. <http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=54334>.

Hyperthyroidism is caused when the thyroid is overactive—producing too much of the hormone thyroxine, causing normal body functions, such as metabolism to speed up. Recent research suggests that hyperthyroidism may have a tremendous affect on the most important organs in your body, your heart. In recent studies, researchers have found a correlation between hyperthyroidism and atrial fibrillation. They put together that atrial fibrillation is a common outcome of hyperthyroidism. Atrial fibrillation, commonly called “A fib” is characterized by uncoordinated contractions of the atria in the heart and can result in a fast and irregular heart rhythm. Hypothyroidism and the affect on the heart is still to be researched further.

Previous research has shown that hyperthyroidism is more prevalent in the female population than the male population, and age is not a risk factor. More recently, a team of researchers carried out a study in Denmark where they collected thyroid function blood tests from 586,460 patients with hyperthyroidism that consulted their practitioners. They followed these patients for a span of 10 years. After five years, the data suggested that, out of 586,460 participants, over half of the women in the study had developed A fib.

Researchers suggested that there should be a higher watch on this topic to make this situation more publicized so people can become more aware of hyperthyroidism and the underlying threat of developing A fib. People can take better control over major health conditions by regular physician check-ups, eating and maintaining a healthy diet, exercise, and most importantly avoid smoking and alcohol. These simple tasks will keep you, your heart and body healthy longer, for a better you!

References:

BMJ-British Medical Journal. “Thyroid problems linked to irregular heart rhythm.” ScienceDaily, 27 Nov. 2012. Web. 10 Jul. 2013.

“Could it be my thyroid?.” Harvard Health Publications. 24 Jul. 2012. 10 Jul. 2013. <http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/could-it-be-my-thyroid>.

“atrial fibrillation.” Merriam-Webster. 2013. 10 Jul. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/atrial%20fibrillation>.