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 ...

Low Blood Sugar: Emergency Care for a Child

Topic Overview This information is for people who may help your child if your child is too weak or confused to treat low blood sugar. Make a copy for each of your child's caregivers. Make sure the child can swallow. Give the child ½ teaspoon of water. If the child can swallow the water without choking or coughing: Give him or her 4 oz of liquid (juice or soda pop) from the list of quick-sugar foods or glucose tabs or gel if available. Wait 10 to 15 minutes. Offer the child more quick-sugar ...

Low Blood Sugar: Emergency Care

Topic Overview This information is for people who may help you if you are too weak or confused to treat your own low blood sugar from diabetes or some other health condition that can cause low blood sugar. Make a copy for your partner, coworkers, and friends. If your child has diabetes, you need to provide a copy for teachers, coaches, and other school staff. If the person has type 2 diabetes and is taking oral medicine (not insulin) that can continue to cause low blood sugar, stay with ...

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia Overview Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a commonly perceived problem. In actuality, while some or many of the symptoms may be present, it is rarely confirmed or documented. The presence of true, documented hypoglycemia in the absence of diabetes treatment must be evaluated comprehensively by an endocrinologist. Hypoglycemia most often affects those at the extremes of age, such as infants and the elderly, but may happen at any age. Generally, hypoglycemia is defined ...

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia Overview Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a commonly perceived problem. In actuality, while some or many of the symptoms may be present, it is rarely confirmed or documented. The presence of true, documented hypoglycemia in the absence of diabetes treatment must be evaluated comprehensively by an endocrinologist. Hypoglycemia most often affects those at the extremes of age, such as infants and the elderly, but may happen at any age. Generally, hypoglycemia is defined ...

Low Blood Pressure

Low Blood Pressure Overview Low blood pressure is a difficult clinical finding for a healthcare provider to address. While high blood pressure is known as the "silent killer," because it is associated with few acute symptoms, hypotension (hypo=low + tension=pressure) may be normal for a patient if it is without symptoms, but can be of great importance if it is associated with abnormal body function. Sometimes low is good, a goal to be achieved in keeping blood pressure under control. Sometimes ...

Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)

Thrombocytopenia Overview Thrombocyte is the medical term for platelet. Thrombocytopenia means a lower platelet count in the blood compared to the normal range. Thrombocytosis refers to a greater number of platelets compared to the normal range. Platelets are important elements in the blood that are important for blood coagulation (clotting and prevention of bleeding). The normal ...

Low Back Pain: Easing Back Into Your Daily Activities

Topic Overview Bed rest of more than a couple of days can actually make your low back pain worse and lead to other problems such as stiff joints and muscle weakness. If you do use bed rest for a short time, remember the following guidelines. Sitting up in bed puts additional pressure on the intervertebral discs. Lying on your side puts a little more pressure on the discs than lying on your back. Trying to eat a meal in bed can be awkward and can put more strain on your back than if you ...

Low Back Pain and Sex

Topic Overview Healthy, satisfying sex is very important for relationships. And the fear of having sex because of back pain can be a big problem. If your sex life has suffered because of back pain, take heart. Many people have faced this problem. And there are steps you can take to deal with it. 5 tips for a better sex life Talk to your doctor. This can be hard, because some people are embarrassed to talk about sex. But you need to find out which sexual positions may be good or bad for your ...

Living Organ Donation

Topic Overview Introduction More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for an organ to become available for a transplant that can save their lives. Most organs come from donors who have died. But about half of all organ donors are living donors. How can you be a living organ donor? Most people can be organ donors. Many people choose to donate an organ upon their death. But a person can donate certain organs while he or she is still living. These people are called "living ...

Ultrasound

Ultrasound Overview Ultrasound (also termed sonography, ultrasonography, and Doppler study) is a non-invasive diagnostic medical technique that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal structures of the body. These sound waves are not detectable by human hearing. Using ultrasonography, a technician or doctor moves a device called a transducer (probe) over part of your body. The transducer emits sound waves which bounce off the internal tissues, and creates images ...

Liver Transplant for Hepatitis B

Topic Overview During a liver transplant, your damaged liver is removed and replaced with a healthy one from an organ donor. Liver transplantation is done to treat long-term (chronic) hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection only after all other treatments have not worked, because transplanted organs can become reinfected with HBV. Recurrent infections are often severe, leading to rapid failure of the transplanted liver. High doses of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) are given to try to prevent ...

Liver Transplant

Liver Transplant Overview The liver is the second most commonly transplanted major organ, after the kidney, so it is clear that liver disease is a common and serious problem in this country. It is important for liver transplant candidates and their families to understand the basic process involved with liver transplants, to appreciate some of the challenges and complications that face liver transplant recipients (people who receive livers), and to recognize symptoms that should alert recipients ...

Ascites

Ascites Overview The organs of the abdomen are contained in a sac or membrane called the peritoneum. Normally the peritoneal cavity contains no fluid, although in women a small amount (20ml, or less than an ounce) can occasionally be found depending on the menstrual cycle. Ascites is the term used to denote a fluid collection in the peritoneal cavity, a situation that is not normal. There are a variety of diseases that can cause the fluid to accumulate and the reasons that the ascites ...

Liver Cancer

What Makes the Liver So Important? The liver is a large organ located in the upper right side of the abdomen, mostly underneath the ribs. It plays a very important role in maintaining the body's overall health. Most of the blood leaving the intestines travels through the liver, where it is filtered of both toxic chemicals and bacteria. The liver uses nutrients in the blood to provide energy for the body by storing and releasing sugars. It is also the main source of proteins necessary for ...

Liver Blood Tests

Liver Blood Test Overview In general, liver blood tests are used to detect an injury or an inflammation to the liver. These tests are commonly ordered and performed in many situations, such as in routine health screening, evaluation of abdominal pain, or suspected liver disease. The liver blood tests are typically done as a part of the comprehensive metabolic panel which also includes electrolyte levels and kidney function. The main values measured in liver blood tests are the aminotransferases ...

Liver Biopsy

Liver Biopsy Overview A liver biopsy is a procedure whereby small pieces of liver tissue are removed in order to be sent to a laboratory for examination. It is very helpful in the diagnosis of diseases that affect the liver. There are several potential approaches to procuring tissue for a liver biopsy. These are discussed below. Percutaneous Liver Biopsy In a percutaneous liver biopsy procedure, local anesthesia is used to numb the skin where a small incision is made. A needle the diameter ...

Nutrition While Breast-Feeding

Topic Overview If you are breast-feeding, you should eat 500 calories more each day than otherwise recommended for a person of your height and weight. You may need even more calories if you: Are very active. Begin to lose weight rapidly. Are breast-feeding more than one infant. Good nutrition for you and your baby Eating a variety of foods can help you get all the nutrients you ...

Nutrition and Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Topic Overview A balanced, nutritious diet during pregnancy is important to maintain your health and nourish your fetus. Be sure to increase your daily caloric intake by 300 calories after you become pregnant. The average woman needs 2,200 calories a day and 2,500 when she is pregnant. If she is carrying twins, her need increases to 3,500 calories, and for triplets or more, she needs ...

Nutrition and Physical Activity

Topic Overview Food provides energy for physical activity. As you get more active and more fit, and/or as you lose weight, your energy needs (how many calories you need) may change. To get the energy you require, you need to get the proper amount of: Protein, which is needed to maintain and rebuild tissues such as muscles. Carbohydrate, which is the body's preferred source of energy. Fat, which also provides energy. Water, to replace water lost through activity. Eating a diet that is varied, ...

Diet and Nutrition

Nutrition Overview Your understanding of nutrition can be your key to optimal health. This article covers the essential nutrition information that you need for health: dietary guidelines, dietary reference intakes, food guide pyramid, calories, carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The Council on Food and Nutrition of the American Medical Association defines nutrition as "the science of food; the nutrients and the substances therein; their action, interaction, ...