Human saliva is a reliable source that reflects all the processes in the body. Based on the analysis of this material, you can do a DNA test, find out what infections a person has, get complete information on how to lose weight, and much more.
What kind of study?
What is a saliva test? Now let's look at this issue. The first thing this phrase is associated with is a DNA test. In detective and crime dramas, the main villain spits into a test tube or a swab is taken from the inside of his cheek with a cotton swab and given for research. Then justice prevails.
However, this is not all that this test can show. With saliva analysis, you can:
- find out nationality,
- establish paternity,
- identify a number of diseases,
- determine a way to lose weight fast.
Currently, such testing is gaining more and more popularity, more and more doctors make a diagnosis by the content of saliva.
Modern methods of saliva analysis
The most popular methods inpresent:
- biochemical;
- DNA analysis;
- PCR analysis;
- TB;
- for various infections, HIV.
What is the saliva test called? In medicine, it does not have a special name, it refers to genetic research. The names of saliva tests 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
DNA can be used to establish paternity. To do this, three samples are taken for research - the intended parents and the child. The 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, such an analysis is not a quick matter. You can get an answer on it in two weeks.
Ancient relatives
Another question that quite often interests people is the desire to know their ancient relatives, so to speak, the roots of their origin. 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 in two or three months.
Genetic Research
In addition to such knowledge, a person can find out a genetic predisposition to any diseases by analyzing saliva. In California, researchers from one of the laboratoriesdeveloped a saliva DNA test capable of identifying genetic mutations and detecting more than 100 hereditary diseases. This analysis will help future parents take steps to ensure that the baby is born he althy.
PCR analysis of saliva
Polymer chain reaction is an analysis method used to detect genital infections. This is the method that gives the most accurate results. In addition to saliva, other samples are taken for research: blood, urine, sperm.
For the result to be accurate, this analysis will require some preparation:
- 4 hours before taking the material, you should stop eating, medicines, alcohol, brushing your teeth. Also don't smoke;
- before sampling, rinse your mouth several times with boiled water to make the analysis more accurate.
Data processing in the laboratory will take five to fourteen days.
Biochemical study of material
This saliva test is done to detect a disease such as dysbacteriosis. Human saliva contains microorganisms that reflect the state 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 dysbacteriosis is a symptom:
- caries;
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis;
- various gastrointestinal diseases;
- Changes in hormonal levels in the body.
Saliva almost completely copies the composition of blood. But making saliva analysis is much easier. In the future, it is planned that instead of blood, people will donate this material for research.
Infection testing
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 kissing.
Also, if you suspect the presence of helminths, Giardia, you can do a saliva test. It will contain toxins, waste products of parasites that poison the body.
TB test
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacterium that mainly affects the lungs. Anyone can get sick, regardless of age. Treatment will be more successful if the disease is diagnosed early. It is now possible to test saliva for tuberculosis. For examination, a swab is taken from the oral cavity. If the sample does not change its color under the action of the reagent, this means that there is no disease. If there are still suspicions of tuberculosis, they conduct a study of blood, urine, feces, secretions from the genital organs. The analysis is done by PCR.
What does a saliva test show for tuberculosis? The causative agent of this disease is mycobacterium, otherwise it is called Koch's wand. In saliva, as well as in the blood, the presence of the causative agent of tuberculosis can be detected. Saliva tests are simplerin execution, do not require sophisticated equipment.
What else does analysis show?
The saliva test is very common in forensics. With this analysis, you can determine the DNA of the criminal, detect the presence of drugs in the human body.
After making an analysis of saliva, a person can get detailed advice from a specialist on how to eat right to get rid of excess weight. A diet based on the data obtained will be the most effective.
Canadian scientists, for example, examining human saliva, found out that it can be used to determine how tired a person is, whether he is on the verge of a breakdown. That is, the test will tell you that your strength is running out and you should rest. The 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 arising from stress.
A person can independently determine by the quality and quantity of saliva that there are he alth problems. The changes can be quite significant. For example, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, saliva can change color. With hormonal failures, its amount decreases, dry mouth and thirst are felt. Bitterness in the mouth is a sign that the functioning of the liver and gallbladder is impaired. Excessive salivation may be due to:
- oral diseases;
- disruption of the nervous system;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- violation of metabolic processes.
If you find such signs, you should immediately consult a doctor,to diagnose the disease in a timely manner.
Conclusion
In the near future it will be possible to do an analysis of saliva and get 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 a particular laboratory has experience in conducting such studies. The specialist must know how to properly collect saliva, what conditions are necessary for this. Violation of the sampling procedure may lead to incorrect results.
