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Medical Examination Narratives

CHEST X-Ray

A chest x ray is a painless, non-invasive test that creates images of the structures inside the chest, such as your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. "Non-invasive" means that no surgery is done and no instruments are inserted into your body.

It helps doctors diagnose and treat some medical conditions.

Sickle Cell Disease/Gene

The term sickle cell disease (SCD) describes a group of inherited red blood cell disorders. People with SCD have abnormal hemoglobin, called HEMOGLOBIN S or SICKLE HEMOGLOBIN, in their red blood cells. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body.

“Inherited” means that the disease is passed by genes from parents to their children. SCD is not contagious. A person cannot contract it, like a cold or infection, from someone else.

The presence of Sickle Hemoglobin can cause severe shortage of oxygen to the body resulting in frequent severe pains, infection and death. It is therefore important that this inherited condition is detected and regular medical care given to prevent complications and improve wellbeing. It is very important to know your sickle cell status (genotype).

Body Mass Index (BMI)

The BMI is an index of your body weight to your height. It is a useful tool to estimate a healthy body weight based on your height. Your BMI "number" will inform you if you are underweight, of normal weight, overweight, or obese. This have important implication for your health.

Blood Pressure

It is the pressure in the blood vessel. The procedure of checking Blood Pressure is quick and painless.

A HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) is dangerous as it causes a lot of complication e.g.: Blindness, Stroke, Heart Failure and Kinley Failure. 

A blood pressure value of 120/80 mmHg is normal.
A blood pressure value of 140/90 mmHg or more is classified as high.
It is important to know your blood pressure.