Blood circulation goes in a circle, which makes sense, given its name. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, and veins return blood to the heart. With one exception, blood carried away from the heart is oxygenated blood, and blood returning in...
The National Institute of Health explains that situs inversus is a rare genetic condition in which the internal organs in the chest and the abdomen lie in mirror image of their usual positions in the body. Situs inversus may occur as an isolated...
Sitting for long periods of time can increase the chances of developing a blood clot in one or both legs. Sometimes getting up from a sitting position can cause the clots to move into the lung's blood vessels. This refers to a potentially fatal...
The heart and the circulatory system are the components of the cardiovascular system. The function of the cardiovascular system is to circulate blood through out the body.The healthy heart beats on average of 100,000 times daily. It receives...
Blood vessels deliver blood from the heart to the tissues, and return oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. The vascular system is made up of three vessel types. Arteries carry blood away from the heart, veins return blood to the heart, and the tiny...
The liver is an organ in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, just under the ribcage. Its basic functions include breaking down fats, filtering harmful substances from the blood and producing cholesterol. Many different infections, substances...
During pregnancy, your blood volume almost doubles to support your growing fetus. This extra blood volume, along with circulatory changes and a rising progesterone level that causes your blood vessels to relax can result in varicose veins....
Numerous conditions can cause right-sided upper abdominal pain. According to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, the most common cause of abdominal pain is intra-abdominal disorders. Organ problems can cause localized or diffuse pain...
The circulatory system is the body's transportation superhighway. As the blood circulates through the body, it brings oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and picks up the waste products, delivering them to the kidneys and lungs to be...
Piles, more commonly known as hemorrhoids, can cause pain and bleeding from the rectum. These swollen veins can occur inside or outside the anus, and most people experience at least one incidence of piles at some point in their lives, according to...
Comprised of muscle, the organ we call the heart beats approximately 100,000 times a day and pumps over 1.5 million gallons of blood through the circulatory system every year. The heart has two atria and two ventricles---chambers that house the...
As your belly grows and your back aches, you'll find it more difficult to get into certain yoga poses. There are a few poses that are safe in the third trimester of pregnancy that will help alleviate back aches, such as the two-part cat cow pose....
Portal hypertension is an increase in the pressure in your vein that carries blood from the digestive organs to the liver, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This pressure increase causes the development of large veins, which can bleed easily....
The calf of the leg is the most common location for blood clots to form. Deep clots, called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, occur after injury to the vein or from disorders or medications that cause blood to clot more than normal, the Merck Manual...
Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a formation of a blood clot in veins of the legs. If the blood clot increases in size, it can impede circulation in the leg, causing pain, heat, redness and tenderness in the affected area. An embolus occurs when a...
The periphery of the body, especially the hands and feet, contain an intricate map of vascular structures. When engorged, or full of blood and fluids, the hands and feet quickly swell and can result in pain and decreased mobility. This swelling,...
Aching, gnawing and cramping pain felt in the pit of the upper part of the stomach can be more than a sign of an upset stomach. Sometimes, certain organs can be inflamed or clots can obstruct important vessels surrounding the stomach and lead to...
A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot that forms in a vein, frequently in the lower legs, thigh or pelvis. The DVT prevents blood flow out of the extremity which results in pain and swelling. The danger of a DVT occurs when a part or the entire...
Stab wounds to the abdomen occur when a sharp object penetrates the abdominal cavity. Knife blades and projectile fragments are often associated with penetrating wounds. Because of the number of other organs within the abdominal area, the...
Prenatal yoga tones the muscles, relaxes the body and improves balance. Regular practice may also help your circulation and improve your overall wellness. Yoga also focuses on deep breathing and relaxation, which can help you relax during...
Being pregnant does not mean you have to stop working out your abs and stomach. You merely need to accommodate your stomach exercises to your new physical condition. Consult your physician to make sure your new routine will not affect your...
Doctors use various terms to describe specific areas of the body, including your belly. Health professionals use these terms to localize pain or tenderness in injured or diseased muscles, blood vessels and organs. Your upper abdomen is between...
Many organs, including the liver, gallbladder and intestines crowd into the upper right quadrant, and disease in nearby organs such as the stomach and pancreas can also cause pain that radiates to the upper right quadrant. Upper right quadrant...
As your pregnancy progresses, you may find it difficult to get the 8 hours of nightly sleep recommended for adults. KidsHealth notes that factors such as your increasing size, backaches, heartburn, stress and the urge to urinate can all contribute...
Varicose veins are enlarged blood veins typically found in the legs. Pregnant women are more susceptible to developing varicose veins because of increased body weight, increased blood volume, water retention and added pressure on the veins of the...
Fluid accumulation and swelling of the lower extremities--including the feet, ankles and legs--is called peripheral edema, according to MedlinePlus. The swelling may be uncomfortable but generally is not painful. It's most commonly seen in elderly...
Congestive heart failure can be due to right heart failure or left heart failure. The clinical signs are related to the organs affected and to whether left or right heart failure is the origin of the abnormal function. There are several symptoms...
As your pregnancy progresses, you might find sleeping more difficult. Your larger size makes it harder to get comfortable or you might wake up with unexplained twinges or spasms. Your sleeping position affects both you and your baby's health....
Portal hypertension is heightened pressure on the walls of the vein that transports blood from the stomach and intestines to the liver, also known as the portal vein. For the pressure in the vein to be considered high, it must be at least 12 mm...
