General Family Health

Most people who have varicose veins have them in their legs and feet. Varicose veins can range from unsightly to painful. There are invasive surgical procedures and laser treatments that can be...

Ever wonder how to stop a bloody nose fast? Bloody noses can be embarrassing. Besides the occasional wack to the face, many people get nose bleeds during the dry season due to allergies. Here are...

Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers, which represent the systolic blood pressure and the diastolic blood pressure. These numbers are measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

Dizziness can be a symptom of a number of problem and is not necessarily a sign that you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure does not have noticeable symptoms. The only way to know...

Routinely cleaning medical equipment lowers the risk of disease transmission. Although blood pressure cuffs rarely come in contact with bodily fluids, they are still at risk of becoming...

The ANA test screens for autoimmune conditions and may be ordered if your doctor thinks that you may have lupus or other autoimmune disorders. It is a simple blood test and there is little...

The National Institutes of Health says that one in three American adults struggles with hypertension. Though medications exist to help control hypertension, you can try to control it with diet...

A blood pressure monitor is a device that measures pressure in your arteries. The measurement is written with 2 numbers, one on top of the other, such as 120/70. The first measurement, or top...

The kidneys help eliminate wastes from the blood and balance the amount of fluids and minerals in the body. They, just like many other vital organs such as the heart, lungs and liver, are vital...

While high blood pressure, also known as "hypertension," receives a great deal of attention, the medical condition of low blood pressure, or "hypotension," can also be a sign of underlying health...

The human spleen is an organ that helps the lymphatic (immune) system fight off infections and filter impurities from the blood.

The human body typically has two adrenal glands, one located above each kidney, that play a vital role in the endocrine system by secreting adrenaline, cortisol and other essential hormones....

Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is characterized by a low flow of blood to the heart. This is usually not a dangerous condition, except it can become a problematic condition...

An automatic blood pressure monitor inflates at the touch of a button and gives a digital read-out of the blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is defined the same whether taken by a manual or...

The level of glucose in your blood will stay at the same level if you eat regularly and are in general good health. At some times, you may have to take a more active role in managing your blood...

Measuring cardiac efficiency is a tool that many athletic trainers, doctors, nurses and athletes use in order to figure out how efficient their heart is at pumping blood when in motion or at rest....

Calcium is one of the most important minerals in your body. It is important for the formation of bones and teeth, clotting of the blood, and the proper function of the nerves, heart and muscles. ...

Nosebleeds are common, but when a nosebleed is accompanied by dizziness that may be a signal of a more serious medical condition. Dizziness most often arises with nosebleeds because of a lack of...

Varicose veins can be unsightly and even cause pain or discomfort. Although your health and genetics may play a part, understanding what is causing your varicose veins and what you can do to help...

There are many different types of blood tests, and some of them require you to go without eating or drinking, which are called fasting blood tests.

A blood pressure reading measures how much force is placed upon the artery walls as blood is pumped throughout the body. Measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), it should be checked at least...

Cholesterol is responsible for building cells and regulating hormones, according to the Mayo Clinic. When cholesterol levels are high, fatty deposits start building in the blood vessels. After...

It is important to know your blood type and the blood types of family members in the event that a transfusion becomes necessary. Mixing blood types is dangerous, since our body's immune system may...

The liver is an important organ with important responsibilities. It has many functions that keep the body healthy and functioning. The liver is responsible for metabolism, maintaining water...

Whether it is the cold and flu season of winter, hay fever and allergies of spring and summer, and weather changes in the fall, decongestants and antihistamines are one of the most used...

The spleen is an organ that plays an important role in the body as it is part of the lymphatic system; however, you can live without a spleen if it becomes infected or damaged. The lymphatic...

The spleen is an organ located on your left side, just under the ribcage and behind the stomach. The spleen's main roles are to destroy old red blood cells, store blood and assist the immune...

Your blood is made of two parts: blood cells and plasma. While blood cells and plasma work together, they are different.

Your doctor might order a cholesterol test as part of an annual physical exam or if you have risk factors for high blood pressure or heart disease. A cholesterol reading below 200mg/dl reflects...

If you are having a blood test, your doctor may tell you to fast for a certain amount of time, because food can affect the results. One reason for your blood test may be to diagnose heart disease....

Your kidneys are two vital organs that keep you alive by filtering your blood of waste and excess toxins. These small organs are delicate yet they are protected within your body. However, there...

The liver is the largest organ in the human body, weighing approximately 3-1/2 lbs. in the average adult. It is about 8 inches long and 4-1/2 inches thick and performs a variety of vital functions.

Blood clots can be a serious problem for some people. In many cases the body is able to control blood clots and get rid of them, but in some cases a blood clot can become lodged in the leg or...

As your heart pumps, it sends blood through your arteries. The pressure from your blood on the walls of your arteries can be measured using two numbers: a systolic pressure number (the pumping...

The level of glucose in your blood will normally stay at about the same level if you eat regularly and are generally healthy. However, you may need to take a more active role in managing your...

Acquiring accurate blood pressure readings requires a blood pressure cuff of the correct size. If the cuff is too small, blood pressure measurements are likely to be falsely high. If the cuff is...

A glucose meter is a device that measures the amount of glucose in your blood. This is frequently necessary for people who have difficulty keeping their blood glucose level in the desired range....

The level of glucose in your blood can become too high as a result of diabetes. This metabolic disorder occurs when your pancreas doesn't secrete enough insulin, or your body is resistant to the...

Swelling in the legs and feet can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing. This common condition can be indicative of many things--some serious, some not so much. Determining where your particular...

Most often diagnosed in women, thyroid disease affects millions of Americans each year. As part of the endocrine system, the thyroid produces hormones that aid in the digestion and absorption of...

The liver's role in regulating blood sugar levels in the body ensures that energy is available to carry out daily tasks and activities. A number of mechanisms are in place to respond to changing...

Sitting for long periods of time puts you at risk for dangerous blood clots in the legs. This occurs in part due to poor circulation, which can happen to anyone through prolonged sitting, whether...

Kidney cysts are sacks of fluid that form on the kidneys. Often, they are found during a CT scan, and the patient doesn't have any symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, these cysts are usually...

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is a common symptom of diabetes. This class of metabolic disorders is characterized by an insufficient supply of insulin or a reduced ability to use it. Insulin...

Cholesterol is a fat in the blood that is made from the foods that you eat. Cholesterol is an important building block for cells and hormones. However, too much cholesterol can interfere with...

Doctors use laboratory tests to help diagnose or treat certain conditions and to check the overall health of their patients. Tests that measure the concentration of blood proteins, electrolytes...

If you are an avid walker, you might have considered using free weights while walking to strengthen the muscles in your arms and shoulders and to help you burn more calories. Experts like Mark...

Potassium helps with a number of bodily functions, including balancing the level of fluid in your body, synthesizing protein, aiding in nervous system, producing energy, and many other activities...

A venous leg ulcer is an open wound that won't heal because of a failure of the venous pump. When we move, our muscles contract and expand, and the pressure put on the veins that surround the...

Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine besylate, a drug known as a calcium channel blocker. This type of medication is used to dilate blood vessels to increase the amount of oxygen available to...