Health Library
The Health Library is a collection of health and wellness resources created for learning and accessibility. Select a topic below for related health information or search for a topic in the search bar for more information on other medical conditions.
- Allen Test
- Allergy Tests
- Ankle-Brachial Index Test
- Asthma Challenge Tests
- Autopsy
- Body Fat Testing
- Body Temperature Measurement
- Bowel Transit Time Test
- Breath Alcohol Test
- Calf Squeeze Test
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Testing
- Diabetes Testing
- Digital Rectal Exam
- Dix-Hallpike Test
- Electroencephalogram
- Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Studies
- Electronystagmogram
- Epilepsy Tests
- Erection Problems Tests
- Esophagus Tests
- Evoked Potential Test
- Eye Tests and Exams
- Fibromyalgia Testing
- Gait Analysis
- Genetic Testing and Screening
- Glomerular Filtration Rate
- Hearing Tests
- Heart Tests
- Home Blood Pressure Test
- Home Pregnancy Test
- Home Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test
- Infertility Testing
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Testing
- Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap)
- Lung Function Tests
- Nasal Endoscopy
- Nerve Conduction Studies
- Nerve Function Tests
- NICU Tests
- Pre- and Post-Massage Test
- Prenatal Tests and Screening
- Pulse Measurement
- Sleep Studies
- Straight-Leg Test
- Tilt Table Test
- Urodynamic Testing
- Wood's Light Exam
Other Tests
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The blood supply to your hand normally comes from two arteries: the radial artery and the ulnar artery. Before drawing blood for an arterial blood gas test, your health professional will make sure that both arteries are open and working correctly. A procedure called the Allen test may be used to find out if the blood...
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Provides overview of tests used to find out what a person might be allergic to. Covers skin and blood tests. Explains why and how each test is done. Discusses risks. Explains results and offers points to consider before having tests.
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Learn what an ankle-brachial test is, why it's done, and what the results might mean.
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Learn about asthma tests for children.
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Exercise challenge and inhalation challenge tests are sometimes used to diagnose asthma and workplace asthma (occupational asthma). In an exercise challenge test, spirometry is done before and after you exercise on a treadmill or an exercise...
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An autopsy is a thorough medical exam of a body after death. It may be done to learn about a disease or injury. Or it may be done to find out how or why a person has died. An autopsy is done by a doctor called a pathologist. This type of doctor is an expert in examining body tissues and fluids. Family members...
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There are a number of ways to estimate what percentage of your weight is fat. But measuring body fat is not done routinely, because all of these methods have advantages and disadvantages as well as margins of error. Some common methods include: Skinfold thickness. An instrument called a caliper is...
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Learn 3 ways to take your child's temperature and the pros and cons of each way.
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Body temperature is a measure of how well your body can make and get rid of heat. The body is very good at keeping its temperature within a safe range, even when temperatures outside the body change a lot. When you are too hot, the blood vessels in your skin widen to carry the excess heat to your skin's...
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You can take a temperature using the mouth (oral), anus (rectal), armpit (axillary), or ear (tympanic). But the temperature readings vary depending on which one you use, and you need an accurate body temperature to determine if a fever is present. Medical research hasn't determined an exact correlation between...
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A bowel transit time test measures how long it takes for food to travel through the digestive tract. After you chew and swallow your food, it moves into your stomach, where it is mixed with acid and digestive enzymes. After your food leaves your stomach, it is squeezed through your small intestine, where nutrients are...
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A breath alcohol test is an estimate of your blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The test measures the amount of alcohol in the air that you breathe out (exhale). You can measure your own breath alcohol level with a simple handheld device. If the device is calibrated and used according to the manufacturer's directions...
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The table below summarizes many of the tests that can be done to identify complications from diabetes, including those tests done during a physical exam. The physical exam evaluates your overall health. The doctor pays special attention to your...
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A digital (finger) rectal examination is done to check for problems with organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower belly. During the examination, the doctor gently puts a lubricated, gloved finger of one hand into the rectum. He or she may use the other hand to press on the lower belly or pelvic area. A...
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An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures and records the electrical activity of your brain. Special sensors called electrodes are attached to your head. They're hooked by wires to a computer. The computer records your brain's electrical activity on the screen. Or it may record the activity on paper as wavy...
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After you have had a seizure, it can be difficult to predict whether you will have more seizures. This makes it hard to decide whether to begin treatment for epilepsy. The first seizure you report may not actually be the first seizure you've had....