When it comes to health and wellness, uncertainty is unacceptable. If something isn’t right, it’s time to find out what’s wrong. With that said, diagnosis isn’t always easy. Some illnesses and disorders prove elusive.
Fortunately, medical science is at the point where people can test for various diseases and conditions at home. While further testing may be required for confirmation, these at-home test kits are a reliable way to determine whether or not you’re suffering from a specific health problem.
Here are eight examples of at-home medical testing options:
Cancer
The majority of cancers can’t be detected using at-home testing. However, colorectal cancer – one of the most common forms of cancer – can be detected using an at-home fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Blood in your stool could be caused by a variety of conditions, most of which aren’t cancer, but early detection is key to surviving colorectal cancer. With this in mind, FOBTs taken at home and sent off to a lab for analysis is a simple yet potentially life saving procedure.
Allergies
Many people suffering from seasonal allergies don’t know the cause. Is it pollen? Is it mold? Is it ragweed? Allergy testing used to be a time-consuming process involving trial and error, but thanks to recent scientific developments, allergy tests can be taken at home. The process involves taking a finger-prick blood sample and sending it to a lab for analysis.
Pregnancy
At-home pregnancy tests have been around for decades. But for years, the reliability of the results was questionable. It often depended on the brand and even then, accuracy was limited. Thankfully, pregnancy tests today are almost 99% accurate. They can also be easily purchased online, helping improve privacy in the process.
COVID-19
Almost everyone reading this has taken at least one COVID-19 test in the last year. Depending on your job or medical history, COVID-19 testing could be a daily or weekly part of your life. Fortunately, at-home COVID-19 tests are fast, affordable, and reliable ways to determine whether or not someone is infected with the virus.
STDs
When it comes to testing for sexually transmitted diseases, privacy and confidentiality mean everything. Unfortunately, the stigma surrounding STDs means many people are afraid or unwilling to seek testing. The consequences can be deadly. Modern at home STD test kits provide a way for people to get the results they need without worrying about who might find out. They’re also affordable, providing further incentive to those who may otherwise think testing is too expensive.
Food sensitivity
Many people experience chronic gastrointestinal pain and discomfort. Rather than going through the agonizing process of adding and subtracting different foods in an attempt to determine what’s causing the problem, people can take at-home food sensitivity tests. The lab will measure a small blood sample against dozens of different foods in an effort to uncover any specific sensitivity. Doing so will make it easier to follow an elimination diet.
Narcotics
There are many reasons why someone might need a drug test. While THC detection kits are most common, other options include tests for opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Most narcotics can be detected using at-home test kits, making it a convenient solution for those seeking additional privacy.
Genetics
As the name suggests, genetic testing aims to uncover any changes or anomalies regarding DNA. These subtle but significant deviations can be a sign of serious illness. Genetic testing can also inform individuals about the inherited risk of certain diseases, such as Parkinson’s and cancer. While genetic testing was once a strenuous ordeal requiring a visit to a lab, modern tests can be taken at home with a mouth swab or small blood sample.
Diagnosing disease used to come down to symptoms and professional opinion. Though more reliable than you might think, accuracy could prove elusive. The advent of test kits provides increased certainty with as high as 99.9% accuracy, depending on the test. And now thanks to at-home testing, medical tests have become more accessible, affordable, and discreet. In time, convenient testing will include many more diseases and disorders, including cancer and deadly infection. These kits will prove to be a gamechanger in parts of the world where standard medical testing is elusive.
Julie Steinbeck is a freelance writer from Florida. She enjoys covering topics related to business, finance, and travel.