Low-Lying Placenta

Topic Overview During pregnancy, the placenta is normally attached to the upper wall of the uterus. A placenta that develops low in the uterus without overlapping the cervical opening is referred to as a low-lying placenta. A low-lying placenta is not a high-risk condition and often resolves as the pregnancy progresses. If you have a low-lying placenta early in pregnancy, there is a good chance that as the lower uterus enlarges, the placenta's relative position will shift away from the cervix. ...

Low-Dose Aspirin Therapy

Topic Overview Why take low-dose aspirin? Good old aspirin, the common pain reliever that has been in our medicine cabinets for almost a century, also has a talent for prevention. For people who have had a heart attack: Aspirin can help prevent a second heart attack. For people who have had a stroke: Aspirin can help prevent a second stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is often a warning sign of an impending stroke. For people who have never had a heart attack or stroke: Aspirin ...

Triglycerides (Triglyceride Test)

Triglycerides Overview Triglycerides are one of the types of fats (lipids) transported in the bloodstream. Most of the body's fat is also stored in the tissues as triglycerides. Triglyceride blood levels are commonly measured along with other lipid levels, such as cholesterol. Triglycerides are also present in foods like vegetable oils and animal fats. The triglycerides in our blood are a mixture of triglycerides obtained from dietary sources and triglycerides produced by the body as ...

Low Testosterone (Low-T)

Low testosterone (low-T) facts Low testosterone is a term used by physicians to describe below normal levels of the hormone testosterone in individuals. Symptoms of low testosterone include erectile dysfunction in men as the most common symptom; there are many other symptoms that can occur in both men and women (for example, low sex drive, bone and muscle tissue loss, depression) ...

Hyponatremia (Low Sodium)

Hyponatremia (Low Sodium) Overview Sodium and water levels in the body are tightly regulated to keep it functioning normally. Sodium concentration is higher in the bloodstream than inside cells. Regulatory mechanisms help control and maintain sodium levels. The hormones aldosterone (made in the adrenal gland) and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin (made in the pituitary) adjust the way the kidneys deal with water and sodium to maintain the appropriate total amount of sodium and ...

Anemia

Anemia Overview Anemia describes the condition in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is low. For this reason, doctors sometimes describe someone with anemia as having a low blood count. A person who has anemia is called anemic. Blood is comprised of two parts; a liquid part called the plasma and a cellular part. The cellular part contains several different cell types. ...

Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)

Low Potassium (Hypokalemia) Overview Low potassium levels (hypokalemia), can cause weakness as cellular processes are impaired. Potassium is a mineral (electrolyte) in the body. Almost 98% of potassium is found inside the cells. Small changes in the level of potassium that is present outside the cells can have severe effects on the heart, nerves, and muscles. Potassium is important to maintain several bodily functions: Muscles need potassium to contract. The heart muscle needs potassium ...