Medical Blog

Ministroke - Transient Ischemic Attack

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an injury to the brain caused by a temporary interruption in its blood supply. A TIA is like a stroke, except that it lasts only a brief time.
What is going on in the body?

During a transient ischemic attack, there is a lack of blood flow to a portion of the brain. This causes symptoms in the body depending on the part of the brain that is affected. A TIA can last up to 24 hours. However, typical TIAs often last less than 30 minutes. The person remains conscious during the episode.
What are the causes and risks of the condition? Read more…

Small for Gestational Age - Intrauterine Growth Retardation

Intrauterine growth retardation, or IUGR, is a condition in which a fetus grows at a slower rate than expected.
What is going on in the body?

There are expected ranges of growth for a fetus at a given gestational age. The growth of a fetus depends on the health and nutrition of the mother and the health of the fetus. IUGR may occur if the health of the placenta or its blood supply is impaired. IUGR may also occur if the mother’s nutrition, health, or lifestyle prevents a healthy pregnancy.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Read more…

Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH) - Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is high blood pressure that develops or increases during pregnancy. The condition usually occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy.
What is going on in the body?

The placenta is the spongy material in the mother’s uterus that nourishes the fetus. Some experts believe that a problem with the placenta causes preeclampsia. The mother has spasms of the blood vessels, which increase her blood pressure. The blood flow to the placenta is impaired. If the blood pressure is not controlled, it can damage the placenta and cause death of the fetus. Read more…

DIL - Drug-Induced Lupus Erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that affects many parts of the body. An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the body creates antibodies against its own tissues. Antibodies are cells that usually fight off infections or foreign material that enters the body. In the case of SLE, the antibodies attack the body’s own tissues. Drug-induced lupus erythematosus causes a similar condition, but it is caused by a medicine.
What is going on in the body? Read more…

Brain Attack - Stroke

A stroke is the death of brain tissue that occurs when the brain does not get enough blood and oxygen.
What is going on in the body?

Strokes are classified as ischemic strokes or hemorrhagic strokes. Ischemic strokes happen when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. The brain cells then die from lack of oxygen. Hemorrhagic strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain burst and release blood into the area around the brain cells. The blood then damages the brain cells. The products released when cells die cause swelling in the brain. Since the skull doesn’t allow much room for expansion, this swelling can damage the brain tissue even further.  Read more…

BMT - Bone Marrow Transplant

Bone marrow is a spongy tissue found in the center of many bones in the human body. The following bones contain either the red or yellow form of bone marrow:
upper arm
lower leg
ribs
breast bone
vertebra of the spine

Blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Immature blood cells in the bone marrow, called stem cells, divide and mature to form various types of mature blood cells. These include:
red blood cells that carry oxygen
white blood cells that fight infection
platelets, which are cells that help blood to clot Read more…

Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders include a wide range of medical problems that lead to poor blood clotting and excessive bleeding.
What is going on in the body?

Blood clotting occurs when blood changes from a liquid to a semisolid state. Normal blood clotting should occur after trauma that causes bleeding. Within seconds of an injury, tiny cells in the blood, called platelets, bunch together at the site of the wound. Blood proteins, platelets, calcium, and other tissue factors react together and form what is called a clot. A clot acts like a net over the wound. Over the next several days to weeks, the clot strengthens, then dissolves when the wound is healed.  Read more…

Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow fails to produce blood cells.
What is going on in the body?

The bone marrow contains special cells known as stem cells. Stem cells are like infant cells. They may develop into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. White blood cells fight infection. Platelets control bleeding by forming blood clots in certain situations. Blood cells have a limited life, so new ones are made constantly. Read more…

Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation is a condition in which blood flows backwards into the left side of the heart through the aortic valve. The aortic valve is a flap-like opening located between the left side of the heart and the aorta. The aorta is the main artery carrying blood from the heart.
What is going on in the body?

The heart is divided into two halves, right and left. Each side has a pumping chamber, called a ventricle. The left ventricle receives blood from the lungs. During a heartbeat, the left heart chamber squeezes, generating enough pressure to open the aortic valve. Blood from the left side is then pumped into the aorta and out into the body for general circulation. As the left heart chamber empties, the aortic valve closes.  Read more…

Aortic Insufficiency - Aortic Regurgitation

Aortic regurgitation is a condition in which blood flows backwards into the left side of the heart through the aortic valve. The aortic valve is a flap-like opening located between the left side of the heart and the aorta. The aorta is the main artery carrying blood from the heart.
What is going on in the body?

The heart is divided into two halves, right and left. Each side has a pumping chamber, called a ventricle. The left ventricle receives blood from the lungs. During a heartbeat, the left heart chamber squeezes, generating enough pressure to open the aortic valve. Blood from the left side is then pumped into the aorta and out into the body for general circulation. As the left heart chamber empties, the aortic valve closes.  Read more…