All that you need to know about NCV test

Ageing leads affects the person’s health in lot many ways. There are different conditions that gradually follow up with the age like hearing, memory loss, bone weakness and many more. If we talk about memory loss, then people in their later age usually suffer from this problem.

However, few people suffer from this problem due to certain health ailments. This is usually termed as (MCI) that is Mild Cognitive Impairment. It is a condition, which occurs due to certain problems related to memory, language, judgment issues and thinking power. These people have higher chances of getting prone to Alzheimer’s disease.

In order to detect these conditions in the patients, test called as NCV test in NY or nerve conduction velocity test is conducted that helps to determine the cause, presence, type, and to what extend the damage has been caused. In a precise way, the test helps to determine the adequacy of the transmission of the nerve inclination. However, the procedure for conducting the test may differ depending on the condition of the patient.

The technologist conducts the test using electromyography (EMG) which is used to records electrical signals that move through the muscles. Firstly, technologist will attach the electrodes to the patient’s body on the nerve at different parts.

The test will determine some of the causes of the defect such as

• Axonopathy- it is the damage that is caused in the nerve cell
• Conduction block- it is a kind of an obstacle, which is caused within the nerve
• Demyelination- it is the defect, which damages the myelin sheath of neurons

At last, the tests are very helpful to determine diseases and help to carry out diagnosis. The test does not cause any harm to the patient but somehow one may feel pain due to the electrical shocks that are given are time of tests. One may feel sense of uneasiness at the time of test. This is due because at the time of test needles are inserted and at that time muscles may tend to sore.

If you or your loved ones suffer from any abnormality, one may seek help from the doctor immediately, as this will help to detect the early cause of the disease and get treatment on time.

Why diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment is essential?

Many people blame the loss of memory on aging, which is in some cases right. Memory loss is a common effect that comes with aging. But sometimes, it is not just aging that is causing memory issues in an individual. It can be the mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

MCI is a medical condition or syndrome that causes issues with the cognitive functions in an individual. These issues may not be significant enough to affect patient’s daily activities, but they are still there. MCI’s symptoms include difficulty in decision-making, trouble in remembering common things or important events, problems with language and visuospatial skills etc.

As above-mentioned, many people blame these symptoms on aging. But, it is essential to get proper diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment if you or your loved ones are experiencing these symptoms. Why this diagnosis is important? Answer is –

Increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease – An individual suffering from the mild cognitive impairment is at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Getting symptoms diagnosed is an easy way to determine if an individual is suffering from MCI or not. It can prevent patient’s condition from getting worse as physicians can take proper action. This medical condition can also lead to several other neurological conditions.

It is common for people to ignore symptoms – It is quite common for people to overlook signs of MCI or blame it on aging. Usually, people never look too much into it until it is too late. If it is ignored for a long time, it can lead to worse medical conditions. This is why it is essential to get proper diagnosis, so that physicians can take proper action regarding controlling it.

People don’t know about its risk factors – Most individuals never know about the risk factors of the mild cognitive impairment, which increases the risk even more. Lack of knowledge makes MCI more dangerous as patients’ or their loved ones do not what they are up against.

Nevertheless, its risk factors are aging, diabetes, depression, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. If you are suffering from any of these medical problems as well as with MCI’s symptoms, then you must get proper diagnosis.

However, you must know that there is no particular or specific medical test to diagnose this medical condition. Physicians make the decision of taking blood tests, clinical observation etc., on the basis of symptoms. Even these tests are performed if there is no dementia diagnosed. In addition, there is definite mild cognitive impairment treatment  NYC and other cities.

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.

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.