Radioactive materials that undergo decay produce ionizing radiation during the decay process. Ionizing radiation has the ability to break down cells and damage the body. The body continuously attempts to repair the damage done by ionizing...
The potential for stem cell research to revolutionize health care, combined with concerns over ethical issues surrounding the harvesting of stem cells, have garnered much attention from researchers, lobbyists and the media. Cord blood banking...
White blood cells are part of your immune system and are found in your blood and tissue. Your body has several different types of white blood cells that fight infections by producing antibodies and cytokines, killing infected cells and removing...
The human body requires a variety of vitamins and minerals, which it metabolizes into the chemicals needed to fuel bodily processes. Metals, such as zinc and copper, are essential for maintaining health and life. Excessive or insufficient intake...
Augmentin is an antibiotic based on the prototype ampicillin. A combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, Augmentin is effective against haemophilus influenzae, staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. These organisms are...
The spleen is part of the lymphatic system and has a vital role in the body's immune system function. The spleen produces white blood cells (WBCs) that help fight infection; filters old, damaged blood cells from the circulatory system; and stores...
Lymphomas are cancers of the white blood cells called lymphocytes, part of the body's immune system. In lymphoma, the lymphocytes morph into a cancer cell and accumulate in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system, where they crowd out normal...
Augmentin 875mg is an antibiotic used to treat many types of bacterial upper respiratory tract infections, acute bacterial sinusitis, community-acquired pneumonia, and ear infections. Some of the organisms Augmentin is effective against are...
Stem cells are unlike other cells because they can regenerate and differentiate into various kinds of cells. Stem cells occur during embryonic development and also are found in the adult body. They show promise for treating many health disorders.
Hemoglobin is a special protein found in red blood cells. It has a structure that supports several functions, including carrying and delivering oxygen from the lungs to the tissues. The metabolism of hemoglobin includes its construction in the...
Radiation is toxic to the human body, and increased levels can cause injury to tissue systems from free radical damage. Exposure can be acute or chronic, and symptom severity depends on many factors like total dose, dose rate, distribution of dose...
A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure in which a donor provides a special kind of blood, called hematopoietic stem cells, to a recipient. Bone marrow transplants are usually performed under anesthesia while the blood is taken from a...
The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be 43,050 new cases and 21,840 deaths from leukemia in the United States in 2010. Although certain specific types of leukemia are very prevalent in children, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society...
Phagocytosis is an immune system defense function. An immune cell called a phagocyte ingests and kills invading organisms. Phagocytes also ingest cellular debris caused by tissue injury and dead cells. Three types of white blood cells can act as...
Resveratrol is a compound produced by many plants; it is found in grape skins and, consequently, red wine. Resveratrol serves as a plant's protective mechanism against bacteria and fungi. Scientific studies show that these protective abilities of...
Marasmus is a serious form of protein energy malnutrition that most commonly occurs in children living in developing countries. Poverty, lack of food and inadequate or contaminated water supplies with bacteria and parasites are factors that...
High levels of low-density lipoprotein are often associated with the increased risk of atherosclerosis -- the accumulation of plaque along the arterial walls. As the plaque forms, the arteries begin to narrow, reducing blood flow. Recent research,...
According to the American Cancer Society, myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is diagnosed in more than 10,000 new patients per year; 80 percent to 90 percent of them are over age 60. Myelodysplastic syndrome occurs when bone marrow cells have problems...
Clarithromycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic used to treat respiratory tract infections, ear infections and acute maxillary sinusitis. People who have shown hypersensitivity to erythromycin or any other macrolide antibiotics should not take...
The rise in obesity has led some people to choose diet soda instead of regular soda to reduce calorie and sugar intake. However, concerns have been raised about the effects of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, or NutraSweet, on overall...
In the condition myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, the bone marrow does not create sufficient numbers of healthy blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The bone marrow creates immature blood cells, which die...
Iron deficiency, a common mineral deficiency, can result from inadequate intake, poor absorption or excessive blood loss. Iron plays a critical role in body, namely in allowing for the transport of oxygen to all cells. Thus, an iron deficiency can...
Bone marrow transplant (BMT) provides healthy stem cells to replace cells lost to chemotherapy, radiation or disease. When the new cells are infused at transplant, it allows the bone marrow to produce healthy stem cells and attack any cancer cells...
You may think about the benefits to your waistline, heart or energy level when considering the importance of eating properly. What may not immediately come to mind is how vital a healthy diet is for supporting your immune system. Your body is...
Calcium is an essential chemical element and mineral for all living organisms. Calcium can be found in dairy products like milk and cheese. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports on their website, "Calcium plays an important role in building...
Most cells in the human body are highly specialized---meaning they perform one particular function---but cannot divide to replace themselves when they die due to normal aging or injury. Instead, a specific population of cells, stem cells, is the...
One of the most widely consumed commercial beverages in the United States, Diet Coke is marketed as a healthy alternative to the sugar-laden original, Coco-Cola. In place of the heavy concentration of high-fructose corn syrup, Diet Coke contains...
Augmentin, an oral antibiotic, is a combination of two medicines: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium. Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic, and clavulanate is a potassium salt. Together, these medications are effective in treating many...
Iron is an essential element that is necessary for good health. Most of the iron in your body is found in your red blood cells. Deficiency does not happen overnight -- it can develop slowly or be caused by your body’s inability to use stored...
