What is a Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) test?

Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test prescribed to determine how well and how fast nerves conduct electrical signals. Healthy nerves carry the signals quickly and proficiently, whereas sick or injured ones carry the signal slower and with less power. Doctors request these tests to identify the signs of nerve injury or damage along with evaluation for nerve and muscle disorders that can include symptoms such as numbness, weakness, tingling pain, etc. NCV test also enable doctors to see how the nerves working and locate where there is pressure on it and how serious it is.

However, the procedure for the test varies from individual to individual and mainly depends on the condition of the patients. It’s a procedure that doesn’t involve needles because it is completed by attaching electrodes on the body of the patient over the nerves at different areas. It helps in generating a precisely timed set of nerve impulses.

Most of the times, healthy nerves will have conduction velocity of about 50-60 m/sec, even though result can differ depending on patient and type of nerve tested. Irregular results could be an indication of the damaged or injured nerve, or it can be due to certain health condition. Your physician will discuss everything in detail before making any conclusion.

Preparing for the procedure?

It is essential for you to maintain regular body temperature prior and during the exam because low body temperature can affect the nerve conduction. On the other hand, you would not require fasting or sedation for this procedure. However, you must inform your doctor about medications that you might be taking. You also need to prevent using oil and lotions on your skin for some days before the exam. You must ask your doctors whatever questions you may have, as special preparations may require depending on your condition.

However, when scheduling a nerve conductivity test NYC, it is vital to find an authentic place. A little research on the web can help you find board certified physicians to schedule your exam.

Everything that you need to know about Glaucoma and its treatment

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the most dangerous eye- disorder and is the foremost cause of blindness. In this damage to the optic nerve takes place due to abnormal high pressure inside the eye. If no proper treatment is taken, it can cause permanent loss of vision.

What are the causes of glaucoma?

The glaucoma is caused due to abnormal eye development, eye infection, drugs, no supply of blood to the eye etc. However, the exact cause to this dangerous disease is still not understood.

What are the common symptoms of glaucoma?

The main symptom is the gradual loss of vision while some other symptoms include-

• Sudden severe headache
• Redness of eye
• Severe eye or eye brow pain
• Hazy or Blurred vision
• Loss of eyesight
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flashes of light
• Appearance of rainbow colored circles around bright lights
• Sudden sight loss
• Tunnel vision in advanced stage.
  
  
  

What are the risk factors of glaucoma?

Anyone can suffer from glaucoma. However, one should be aware of the following risk factors-

• Age – Age factor matters a lot. People of around 40 or 60 years and above are at more risk of glaucoma.
• Family history- This problem is genetic which means if anyone in your family has suffered from this problem then you have a greater risk of developing it.
• Several medical conditions- people suffering from several medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases are the reasons for this disease.
• Long-term medication use- Using medicines such as eye drops for a long period is a common reason.

Some other risk factors include –

• Contraceptive medications
• Sleep disorders
• Migraine
• Nearsightedness

Diagnosis and treatment

There is no cure for glaucoma however, it can be effectively managed, and loss of sight can be minimized. Regular examination of your eyes is the only diagnosis option. People should have a regular test in every three to four months. There are number of hospitals that provide glaucoma test NYC.

The main treatment options include

• Eye drops
• Laser treatment
• Surgery

If you find any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is imperative to seek immediate medical attention.

What is the purpose of NVC test and how it is performed?

Health concerns are rising all over the world and many health problems are fast becoming common. One of the common health problems rising these days is nerve damage. It is a severe medical problem that can cause serious damage.

Neglecting this disease can cause various health concerns that include-

• Myopathy
• Lambert-Eaton syndrome
• Myasthenia gravis

Few risk factors that lead to this health problem are-

• Alcoholic neuropathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Nerve effects of uremia
• Radial nerve dysfunction
• Sciatic nerve dysfunction
• Secondary systemic amyloidosis
• Sensorimotor polyneuropathy
• Tibial nerve dysfunction
• Ulnar nerve dysfunction
• Traumatic injury
• Guillain-Barré syndrome
• Diphtheria
• Carpal tunnel syndrome

If you are suffering from any of the above mentioned health issues or feel that you are at risk, then you must opt out for a proper medical test. Test that helps in diagnosing this damage in body is known as the nerve conduction velocity or NCV test  NY or any big city. This test helps in determining how quickly the electrical signals move through the nerves that controls muscles and important senses in body.

Subsequently, this allows physician to determine injury or damage to the axon (the nerve fiber) or to the myelin sheath (protective covering).

Before going for this test, patient requires to have normal body temperature. It is necessary because difference in body temperature can fluctuate the results of test. Moreover, patients with pacemaker or cardiac defibrillator are debarred from going for this test, as it will affect the electronic impulses of device.

Patches called surface electrodes are placed on a certain area, which is to be examined. Electrodes provide electrical impulses to nerve that helps determine the response of it. The electrical impulse may slightly feel like electric shock, but with no pain.

Oscilloscope or computer screen helps record the flow of impulses through the nerves in body.

Slower than normal response is the sign of damage to the myelin sheath, while decreased response but with a normal speed is sign of damage to the nerve fiber.

After determining the real cause of damage, possible treatments are undertaken by doctors. Few of the commonly used treatment for this condition are physical therapy, surgery, and pain medications. However, the right treatment depends on the severity of nerve damage. No matter what the results are, doctors recommend few lifestyle changes. It includes healthy diet, moderate exercise, and more that helps reduce the effects.