Signs of Covid-19

Signs of Coronavirus

The epic Covid’19, comes with countless signs. Individuals with COVID-19 have had a long list of signs that revealed the situation– going from gentle side effects to extreme disease. All signs may seem 2-14 days after exposure to the infection. Despite the fact that a portion of the signs looks nothing, or nearly as general as common cold yet some take the patient’s health to another risky level.

Some common symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Dry cough
  • Difficult breathing
  • Chills
  • Weakness
  • Muscle or body pains
  • Headaches
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Clog or runny nose
  • Sickness or retching

Some severe symptoms are now emerging in certain people, and these signs have evoked alarming situation for the medical experts, as they were already tackling the current horrible scenario and suddenly new cases made it more deplorable. The new signs are, Trouble in breathing, prolonged pain or pressure in the chest, inability to wake or stay awake, Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, contingent upon the tone of skin. These signs indicate quick medical emergency and should never be ignored at any cost.

  • Misconception between Covid’19 and Influenza:

Our people generally misconstrue the signs, accordingly they get confused between the distinction of Covid’19 and flu. Basically Influenza (Flu) and COVID-19 are both infectious respiratory ailments, yet they are brought about by various infections. Coronavirus occur by disease with another virus (called SARS-CoV-2), and influenza is brought about by contamination with flu infections.

Coronavirus appears to spread more rapidly than influenza and it causes more genuine sicknesses in certain individuals. It can likewise take longer duration for recovery and even after recovery or negative test some patients still feel like they are sick.  Since a portion of the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are comparative, it very well might be difficult to differentiate between them dependent on signs alone, and that is why doctors consider testing mandatory to be 100 percent sure about virus. Meanwhile more and more is learned on frequent intervals about COVID-19 and also about the infection that causes it, there is still a ton that is obscure.

  • Healthcare centers in Pakistan:

There are countless healthcare centers in each and every city of Pakistan, which are working persistently to take care of infected people. With the promptly increase of this deadly virus cases, ministry of health is taking actions to make more space for the infected ones. People there, are given proper attention, care, isolation, and oxygen supply to get well soon. Along with that, necessary instructions are delivered to people to follow SOP’s and stay safe.

 

 

Radiology Services

Radiology Services

Clinical Imaging (Radiology) Services at ALNOOR Diagnostic Centre. ALNOOR Diagnostic Centre (ANDC) brings you a wide array of clinical services with ultimate precision and credibility. We believe in bringing advancement and innovation to the medical and healthcare industry of Pakistan. Our radiology services are also designed with the concept of delivering premium quality services to the patients, medical staff, and general public. The focus on achieving accuracy and transparency in laboratory testing makes us stand apart from other diagnostic centers.

What is clinical imaging – Radiology?

Clinical imaging is a part of the healthcare field that allows professionals to draw different images of the body parts to help in diagnosing or treating a disease or finding its cause. It is also known as Radiology. Professionals carry non-invasive procedures in radiology that help them find the root cause of a disease without hurting or injuring the patient. ALNOOR Diagnostic Centre is pioneering the delivery of the latest technology-equipped lab services in Lahore. The field of diagnosis is the foremost procedure. It should be accurate, timely, and reliable because the entire treatment depends upon it. Identification of disease at an earlier stage is only possible if the diagnosis is performed by authentic and credible laboratories. Our purpose-built lab is powered by the latest and innovative imaging and scanning machines, which are operated by our skilled and certified technicians. The team of technicians is supervised by professional clinical radiologists to ensure the quality of our services meets the highest standards.

Our Radiology services include:

X-rays:

We conduct all the X-rays that you may need for regular checkups. It starts with bone or chest X-rays and leads to advanced imaging studies such as skeletal survey, sonogram, fistulogram, small bowel tests, IVP, etc.

CT Scan:

It is a Computer Tomography scan that intends to find serious injuries and diseases like cancer, infections, trauma, appendicitis, cardiovascular diseases, skeletal disorders, etc. it is useful in scanning a body part from multiple and cross dimensions.

MRI:

ALNOOR Diagnostic Centre specializes in MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is performed by creating images with the help of a strong magnetic field. You get detailed images of a body organ.

Ultrasound – Sonography:

We have certified fellows for carrying different types of ultrasounds in our radiology services. Our expertise includes sonography of pelvis, abdomen, renal, antenatal, thyroid, and neck.

Why ALNOOR Diagnostic Centre?

ALNOOR Diagnostic Centre is certified by Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority to carry radiology services. Our adherence to quality standards has helped us earn a reputable name among lab services in Lahore. We are pleased to have a team of professional radiologists that include qualified doctors, well- trained technicians, and caring staff. They are duly trained in the studies of clinical imaging and diagnostic services. They have outstanding profiles in healthcare services. We have a full-service diagnosis clinic. Come over to be served by healthcare professionals who consider their delivering radiology services with extensive care rather than just a job. Please don’t hesitate to call us and enquire about any general or specific lab testing service.

Services Radiology Mamography

Breast Cancer and Mamography Procedures

Breast Cancer is a widely growing Public health hassle of the world. In Pakistan, breast cancer amongst women and mortality rate is also very high. Other than any Asian country, Pakistan has an increased frequency of breast cancer. About 90,000 new cases are being diagnosed each year, of which 40,000 women die. Research shows that one in every nine women is most likely to suffer from breast cancer at some point in life. About 77% of invasive breast cancer occurs in women over the age of 50, but only if it is diagnosed at the early stages, the survival rate will be close to 90%.  The occurrence of breast cancer regarding age is overly 40-70 years among women. Young girls may also have a higher level of breast cancer, which has a poor impact on prognosis. In rural Pakistan, breast cancer is proliferating every 12 months as it’s an inherited disease transmitted from mom to daughter.

Mammography Processes:

A Mammography uses low-dose X-rays to view and detect changes in the breast tissues. Mammography has two different types, film mammography and digital mammography.

Film screen mammogram:

Both breast images are captured on film with two X-ray views. It is used to screen women with no apparent signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Results are read and stored on a film which may increase the chances of inaccurate diagnosis.

Digital mammograms:

They are relatively new but have now been around for a few years. Digital mammograms have pretty much replaced the film that was standard for a long time; the difference is how the image is captured. The image is captured on the detector in the digital mammogram, allowing the radiologist to see it on a computer screen. One of the main advantages of having a digital mammogram is its less radiation for the patient because looking at a computer screen helps evaluate the mammogram.

This whole process of mammography takes about 20 minutes. A technician will begin by placing one of the patient’s breasts between two specialized plates. The plates will compress to flatten your breast so the camera can take 2D and 3D images of breast tissues. Every mammography program requires four pictures, 2 for each breast. It is normal for the patient to feel a little discomfort during this process, but it only lasts for few seconds. This procedure will then be repeatedly performed on the other breast. Mammography can be done in two steps. Screening mammography and the other is diagnostic mammography.

Haematology Lab

Third Wave of COVID-19

Pakistan is in the third grip of Covid-19 and the daily count is rising. Punjab is worst hit this time. The spread of disease is less in other provinces. The larger cities are more prone to be hit by this disease. Since the onset of the Covid-19 medical community has been persuading the people to follow SOPs which include wearing a mask in public, keeping safe distance and washing hands for 20 seconds frequently. Still the humanity is struggling to find out the exact channel of communication. That is why preventive measures are safe to adopt. In view of the pandemic model, there are three players in the spread of an epidemic. These are first victim, the carrier and second victim. Since the elderly people are more prone to catch the disease, countries have started vaccinating them first. Younger people have fewer chances of severe infection. However, they may act as carrier of disease to the older people. Hence, the only solution left is to keep social distance. Third wave is gripping, crippling and debilitating Pakistan, the severity of the disease has manifested itself in rising numbers of Covid-19 infected patients. Once again lockdown has been introduced; the schools, the colleges, the restaurants, the public places, and the working places have come under a halt. Since the initial smart lockdown strategy did not work, the complete lockdown strategy was adopted. Government efforts send a message to the masses to stay on guard.

Pakistan \government has started \ sinopharm and \ astrazeneca vaccination. People should cooperate with government so that this deadly disease may be overcome. WHO has listed Pfizer vaccine BNT 162b2 and Astra Zeneca by Serum Institute of India and SKBio. Besides these two vaccines, there are Chinese vaccines too. Chinese vaccines include Sinopharm, 4Sinovac and Coronavac. Sinopharm is double jab vaccine which is administered two times with a gap of 15 days. The vaccine’s first jab kick starts immunity. The second booster ensures the immunity. Russia has developed Sputnik V. US has also developed Moderna vaccine. The people who have heart conditions and diabetes are required to take extra precaution. We hope that these vaccines would be able to cope with the disease and the world will soon overcome this deadly pandemic.

CT Scan Service Available

Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed tomography, also referred to as CT or CAT, enables others to see what is transpiring inside the human body. It is a diagnostic medical imaging testing use to replicate three-dimensional imaging of the human organs, bones, certain tissues as well as specific blood vessels. These are generated by combining multiple X-rays, which are automatically done by the computer attached during the examination. These cross-sectional images that are generated during this procedure, are reformatted and can be analyzed from different angles which enables medical examiners to have a better approach and understanding towards their patients.  These images can be viewed on films or displayed on screens and media. CT methodology is efficient, painless and the most accurate procedure for problem analysis.  With the advancement in technology, computed tomography is a trusted method to locate the different types of cancers since imaging allows the examiner to confirm the presence of a tumor. It makes it easier to determine the position of the tumor and how menacing it is, depending upon its size and location.  In a certain catastrophic situation, CAT is used to determine the location of internal bleeding regions which allows the doctors to handle them immediately and save the person in distress.

There are various CAT procedures, each having a specific procedure as well as risks. Some computed tomography that is being commonly being used includes

  • CT Scan Abdomen
  • CT Angiography
  • CT Scan Arthrography
  • CT Scan Bones
  • CT Scan Brain/ CT Scan Head
  • CT Scan Chest (CT Scan Lung)
  • CT Scan Neck
  • CT Scan Pelvis
  • CT Scan Renal Stones
  • CT Scan Sinus
  • CT Scan Spine

These are low-dose CAT scans that are offered in many hospitals around the world. As the pandemic is upon us, doctors are mostly focusing on HRCT, as it is one of the most efficient and fastest ways to identify the presence of virus inside the body and how much has it damaged the body.

Chest CT is mainly used to examine any abnormalities found in a regular chest x-ray. It is used to reason the unexplainable behavior that is associated with the lungs somehow, for instance, shortness of breathing or severe chest pains. Chest CT can identify small nodules in the lungs which can identify lung cancer at the very beginning stage. These scans help oncologists to plan their patient’s chemotherapy and see whether they are responding to the treatment. Malignant Tumors, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, and many other respiratory diseases can be identified using this methodology.

HRCT is a high-resolution computed tomography that identifies disease better than conventional radiology. HRCT is used for the diagnosis and assessment of Interstitial lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonitis, and other generalized lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchiectasis.  Where HRTC is unable to identify the cause of the problem a biopsy is necessary.

To prepare a patient for a CT scan, they are required to wear a medical gown provided by the hospital facilities. All metallic objects that might hinder the scans are required to remove which includes hairpins, piercing, or removable pieces of dental ware. In the case of female patients, they are required to remove their bra as it has metal wires inside them. Few hours before the procedure, doctors ask the patients to abstain from drinking, eating, or consuming anything.  They might alter with the reading of the scan. The medical examiner must be aware of any history of illness that a patient might have, for instance, heart disease, asthma, or thyroid problems. They are required to report any allergies or any sort of medication they might be using. Any of these conditions might increase the risk of an adverse effect. Women should inform the CT technologist if they might be expecting a child shortly soon to prevent any complications during their pregnancies.

After being identified with all the required information for the patient, they are required to move to a separate room where the CT scanner is present. The patient has to lie on a narrow table, strapped to maintain position, which slides them inside the tube of the CT scanner.  X-ray tubes and detectors are located on a tube called a gantry which rotates around the patient.  The workstation is located in a separate room which receives all the imaging being captured by the gantry. The technologist operates the scanner from the control room and monitors your exam in direct visual contact. They will be able to communicate using a speaker and microphone.

Each body part absorbs a different amount of radiation which makes it possible for the doctors to identify the organ.  Several x-ray beams circulate to the patient who absorbs them.  Sometimes the table moves so x rays can make a spiral path for better imaging. Special computers present in the control rooms log in three-dimensional images and their slices are displayed on the monitors. Each slice shows the interior of the body in a detailed manner, giving the human body a multi-dimensional aspect. Each rotation provides multiple imaging resulting in more detail and additional capabilities.

To obtain results, the patient must refer to a radiologist. A radiologist will be supervising the patient’s exams throughout the entire procedure. They will analyze the images obtained from the CAT examination and send an official report who has ordered the examination. If any follow-up examinations are required, the doctor handling the patient’s case will notify them. Follow-up examinations are used to further identify the abnormalities in the patient tomography.  In the case of a recovering patient, they are used to check if the abnormality is stable or changing.

Computed tomography has certain risks. With exposure to an extensive amount of radiation, there is a possibility of cancer. But the benefits of the diagnosis outweigh the chance of having cancer.  The risk of serious allergic reaction to contrast materials that contain iodine is extremely rare, and radiology departments are well-equipped to deal with them. Children are more sensitive to radiation; they should have a CT exam only if it is essential for making a diagnosis and should not have repeated CT exams unless absolutely necessary. CT scans in children should always be done with a low-dose technique. As for unborn children and pregnant women, CT scans are not recommended unless medically necessary, by the approval of a doctor because they might harm the fetus. However, the benefits outweigh the risks here as this procedure is fast as time is of the essence for a patient. Explanatory surgeries are no longer needed to be conducted and the precise location of tumors can easily be located. It is indeed a milestone in medicine.