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...

Like the uses of cord blood, understanding the benefits is important to making a good decision about what you should do regarding the umbilical cord blood when your baby is born. Having only the...

The uses of umbilical cord blood are constantly growing, but understanding of its uses remains somewhat shrouded. There is controversy on the use of stem cells and stem cell research, but no...

Umbilical cord blood has many uses. With stem cell research constantly evolving and growing, the many uses of cord blood are also growing more and more. Though the issue of stem cell research is...

Saving a newborn’s cord blood is often seen as part of the stem cell research debate, but the benefits to the family can be numerous. The stem cells found in the umbilical cord would simply 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 American Diabetes Association identifies gestational diabetes as the single most common complication of pregnancy. The condition is characterized by the pregnant woman having high blood sugar...

In normal glucose metabolism, when blood glucose (also known as blood sugar) is high, the pancreas makes more insulin. Insulin then converts blood sugar into fat for storage. When blood sugar is...

Menstruation is the monthly shedding of a woman's uterine lining. Menstruation occurs when an unfertilized egg makes its way to your uterus. Once the egg reaches your uterus, the unfertilized egg...

Maintaining normal glucose levels in children is important because identifying signs may prevent future or existing complications. Different signs may show high blood sugar, or low blood sugar,...

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 high systolic pressure, called high blood pressure, occurs when the blood pressure is at 140 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) when the heart beats. The systolic pressure is the "top number" in...

Hypertension is defined as an elevated level of blood pressure in a person. A woman's blood pressure is slightly elevated for three to five days after the delivery of a child but typically goes...

Glucose deficiency in babies, know as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) occurs when red blood cells are destroyed. The blood cells are destroyed because the baby's G6PD enzyme does not...

Chronic hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition that can cause complications when a woman becomes pregnant. According to the March of Dimes, risks include preterm delivery, low birth...

To interpret high blood pressure numbers, you must understand a little bit about what blood pressure is and why it's important to your health and well being. In simple terms, blood pressure...

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...

Although hypertension, or high blood pressure, is more common in older people, young people can also be affected. Hypertension in young women may have a variety of causes, all of which should be...

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...

The American Urologic Association recommends that most men begin prostate cancer screening at age 50. Abnormalities in screening tests may warrant a biopsy. To relieve some of the anxiety...

One Touch Blood Glucose Meters are manufactured by LifeScan, Incorporated. They are known for their accuracy and ease of use. Diabetics who need to closely monitor their blood glucose levels use a...

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...

How to Tell the Difference Between Implantation and Period Bleeding, when you're not sure which is which. Sometimes, your body can give out mixed signals. A cramp might be just a cramp. It may...

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...

Viagra is a brand name for the prescription drug sildenafil citrate, commonly prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. While Viagra is safe for most people, it does pose a risk...

Viagra is a prescription medication known as sildenafil citrate. When prescribed by a physician, Viagra is generally a safe treatment for erectile dysfunction; however, some men with certain risk...

The human liver performs hundreds of functions to keep the body safe. One important aspect of the liver is its ability to store vitamins and release them throughout the body as needed.

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.

Yoga is not recommended for any woman in a high risk pregnancy. Failure to abide by this can result in bleeding and fetal death. Your doctor will determine your risk level and will inform you...

Cord blood, which is rich in blood-forming stem cells, is collected after a baby's birth and stored in a cord blood banking facility for future use by family members or the general public to treat...

Hypotension, or low blood pressure, can deprive the brain of oxygen and lead to life-threatening shock. Hypotension can cause an array of other problems, including fatigue, dizziness, nausea,...

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...

Neuropathy is caused by nerve damage. The damage may be a result of disease or injury. Peripheral neuropathy refers to pain and numbness in the legs. Understanding what is causing the neuropathy...

Pregnant women are at increased risk for developing blood clots in the legs because blood flow speed is reduced during pregnancy. It is believed that the body also changes its normal clotting...

Umbilical cord blood is rich in stem cells that are useful for treating conditions such as leukemia. Cord blood collection is painless and risk-free. The use of cord blood replaces the need for...

Hormone levels fluctuate in women during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as with monthly cycles. There are several conditions that cause hormone levels to become too high, ranging from...