One type of stool analysis is its test for occult blood, which is not detected by routine microscopic examination. It helps to identify diseases in any part of the stomach or intestines, which are accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the mucosa. So, in a normal person, the analysis of feces for occult blood should be negative, and if it is positive, then a more detailed diagnosis of the state of health is necessary.
After all, as a result of this study, it is possible to identify small chronic bleeding that does not appear in any way on the person’s well-being. Using this analysis, for example, it is possible to diagnose colorectal cancer even at an asymptomatic stage: even in the absence of pain and other pronounced signs of the disease, it causes a few bleeding tumors. Also , stool analysis for occult blood can be positive for ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative colitis, intestinal tuberculosis, cirrhosis, thrombophlebitis of the spleen vein, typhoid fever, hemorrhoids, and even if a certain type of helminth is infected.
Such a wide list of possible reasons that the fecal occult blood test is positive requires a more thorough examination of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis. It should also be noted that a positive result of the study may also be as a result of blood entering the esophagus with nosebleeds, with cracks in the lips, or even with the accidental introduction of menstrual flow into the test material.
Before you take an analysis of feces for occult blood, you need to prepare. 3 days before the expected date of the study, the patient should exclude from the diet any meat, liver, fish, a number of fruits and vegetables, which contain a large amount of peroxidase, catalase, and, of course, iron. These include cucumbers, cauliflower, horseradish, apples, spinach, white beans, green onions, bell peppers. In addition, a week before the study, it is forbidden to take preparations of iron, vitamin C, acetylsalicylic acid (including tablets intended for blood thinning), anti-inflammatory non-steroid drugs. If the patient underwent an X-ray examination of the intestine or stomach, then the analysis is submitted no earlier than two days later. It is not done against the background of taking antibiotics. After all, all these products, drugs and procedures can affect the result of the study.
If you don’t know what to do with stool analysis, then go to the nearest pharmacy where you can buy a special container with a spoon that collects material for research. Do not try to fill the entire jar, the laboratory is enough no more than 1/3 of its volume. By the way, these same containers are acquired if you need to pass a biochemical analysis of feces, a coprogram, conduct a study on enterobiosis or helminth eggs. It is necessary to collect the material on the same day that it will be delivered to the laboratory. If storage is necessary, it is better to leave feces in a cold place, at a temperature not exceeding 6 ° C.