Human saliva is a reliable source that reflects all the processes taking place in the body. By analyzing this material, you can do a DNA test, find out what infections are present in a person, get complete information on how to reduce weight, and much more.
What kind of study?
What is saliva analysis? Now we will understand this issue. The first thing this phrase is associated with is a DNA test. In detectives and crime dramas, the main villain spits in a test tube or he is swabbed with a cotton swab from the inside of his cheek and given for examination. After which justice triumphs.
However, this is far from all that this test can show. Using saliva analysis, you can:
- learn nationality
- establish paternity,
- identify a number of diseases
- determine how to lose weight fast.
Currently, such testing is increasingly gaining popularity, more and more doctors are diagnosing the saliva content.
Modern methods of analysis of saliva
The most popular methods currently:
- biochemical;
- DNA analysis;
- PCR analysis;
- for tuberculosis;
- for the content of various infections, HIV.
What is saliva analysis called? In medicine, it does not have a special name; it refers to genetic research. The name of the tests for saliva are the names of what needs to be studied: DNA, infections, genetic abnormalities, to identify a particular disease. Now about each in more detail.
DNA analysis
By analyzing saliva on DNA, paternity can be established. For this, three samples are taken for research - the alleged parents and the child. Material for analysis is collected with a cotton swab from the inside of the cheek and transferred to the laboratory. Despite the use of high-tech equipment, conducting such an analysis is not a quick matter. You can get an answer on it in two weeks.
Ancient relatives
Another issue that quite often interests people is the desire to know their ancient relatives, the roots of their origin, so to speak. According to the results of the study of saliva, specialists in the laboratory can determine to which ancient people the ancestors of man belonged, in which region of the planet these people lived. The results of a genetic analysis of saliva can be obtained after two or three months.
Genetic research
In addition to such knowledge, a person from the analysis of saliva can find out a genetic predisposition to any disease. In California, researchers at a laboratory developed a DNA saliva test that can detect genetic mutations and detect more than 100 inherited diseases. This analysis will help future parents take steps to ensure that the baby is born healthy.
PCR saliva analysis
Polymer chain reaction - an analysis method used to detect genital infections. This method gives the most accurate results. In addition to saliva, other samples are taken for research: blood, urine, sperm.
For the result to be accurate, some preparation will be required to conduct such an analysis:
- four hours before taking the material, you should stop eating food, drugs, alcohol, brushing your teeth. Also do not smoke;
- Before the procedure for taking material, rinse your mouth several times with boiled water in order to make the analysis more accurate.
Processing data in the laboratory will take from five to fourteen days.
Biochemical study of the material
This saliva test is done to detect a disease such as dysbiosis. Human saliva contains microorganisms that reflect the condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Such an analysis reflects the state of the human oral cavity and allows you to determine the causes of the disease. Oral dysbiosis is a symptom of:
- caries;
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis;
- various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- hormonal changes in the body.
Saliva almost completely copies the composition of the blood. But making saliva analysis is a lot easier. In the future, it is planned that instead of blood, people will donate this material for research.
Infection test
A number of infectious diseases can be transmitted through saliva:
- herpes virus;
- cytomegalovirus;
- papilloma virus;
- Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes stomach ulcers.
All these infections are transmitted through saliva, through a kiss.
Also, if you suspect the presence of helminths, giardia, you can do a saliva analysis. It will contain toxins, waste products of parasites that poison the body.
Tuberculosis test
Tuberculosis is an illness caused by a bacterium that affects mainly the lungs. Any person can get sick, regardless of age. Treatment will be more successful if the disease is diagnosed in the early stages. It is currently possible to test for saliva for tuberculosis. For the study, a smear is taken from the oral cavity. If, under the action of a reagent, the sample does not change its color, this means that there is no disease. If there is still suspicion of tuberculosis, conduct a study of blood, urine, feces, discharge from the genitals. The analysis is done by PCR.
What does the saliva test for tuberculosis show? The causative agent of this disease is mycobacterium, otherwise it is called Koch's bacillus. In saliva, as in blood, the presence of the causative agent of tuberculosis can be detected. Tests for the study of saliva are simpler to perform, do not require sophisticated equipment.
What else does the analysis show?
The saliva test in forensics is very common. Using this analysis, you can determine the DNA of the criminal, detect the presence of drugs in the human body.
Having done the analysis of saliva, a person can get detailed expert advice on how to eat in order to lose weight. A diet based on the data obtained will be the most effective.
Canadian scientists, for example, when examining a person’s saliva, found that it can be used to determine how tired a person is, whether he is on the verge of collapse. That is, the test will tell you that your strength is running out and you should rest. An indicator for this is the hormone cortisone. Its increased or too low content in the body is reflected in saliva. Such an analysis will help to avoid stressful situations and prevent other diseases that arise from stress.
A person can independently determine by the quality and quantity of saliva that there are health problems. The changes can be quite significant. For example, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, saliva can change color. With hormonal disruptions, its amount decreases, dry mouth and thirst are felt. Bitterness in the mouth is a sign that the liver and gall bladder are disturbed. Excessive salivation can be with:
- diseases of the oral cavity;
- disruption of the nervous system;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- violation of metabolic processes.
Having found such signs, you should immediately consult a doctor in order to diagnose the disease in a timely manner.
Conclusion
In the near future, it will be possible to analyze saliva and obtain complete information about the state of the body and almost all diseases.
To be sure of the correctness of the result, you should pay attention to whether one or another laboratory has experience in conducting such studies. The specialist should know how to properly saliva, what conditions are necessary. Violation of the material collection procedure may lead to incorrect results.