A bilirubin test measures the levels of bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin (bil-ih-ROO-bin) is a yellowish pigment that is made during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Bilirubin passes through the liver and is eventually excreted out of the body. Bilirubin is made in the body when the hemoglobin protein in old red blood cells is broken down. The…
What Is Leprosy? Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around your body. Leprosy has been around since ancient times. Outbreaks have affected people on every continent. But leprosy, also known as Hanson’s disease, isn’t that contagious. You can catch it only if you come into…
The HbA1c test is a blood test that provides information about your average levels of blood glucose, also called blood sugar, over the past 3 months. The HbA1c test can be used to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.1 The HbA1c test is also the primary test used for diabetes management. The HbA1c test is sometimes called the hemoglobin A1C,…
Turmeric for pain and inflammation Turmeric has been used, primarily in South Asia as a part of Ayurvedic medicine. When it comes to proven medicinal purposes, the golden spice may be best for treating pain — specifically pain associated with inflammation. Several studies have found that curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s “wow” factor. In one study, people with arthritis pain…
A lot of times, the new resolutions only last a few days or weeks, and they are thrown by the wayside by the beginning of February. This year, let’s set our goals and stick to them! Follow these tips to help you be the best you can be. Ø Be Realistic Making a realistic resolution is one way to ensure…
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure that combines chest compressions often with artificial ventilation in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person who is in cardiac arrest. What Happens During CPR? The person giving CPR — called a rescuer — follows three main steps,…
Hypertension is generally a silent condition. It may take years or even decades for the condition to reach levels severe enough that symptoms become obvious. Even then, these symptoms may be attributed to other issues. Common Symptoms of severe hypertension includes: headaches shortness of breath nosebleeds flushing dizziness chest pain visual changes blood in the urine The best way to…
Diagnosis During the physical exam, your doctor will check your joints for swelling, redness, and warmth. He or she will also want to see how well you can move your joints. Depending on the type of arthritis suspected, your doctor may suggest some of the following tests. Laboratory tests The analysis of different types of body fluids can help pinpoint…
What is HIV? HIV is a virus that can make you sick. There is no cure for HIV, but there is treatment. Without HIV treatment, your immune system can become weak and you can become sick with life-threatening illnesses. This is the most serious stage of HIV infection, called AIDS. Anyone can be infected with HIV, no matter: Your age.…
