Diseases that affect the kidney can be difficult for a patient or doctor to diagnose without using a variety of diagnostic tests. Kidney function tests are defined by the Encyclopedia of Surgery as a variety of procedures that evaluate whether a...
The function of the kidneys is to remove waste products from the body. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, waste builds up and can become toxic to the person. There are a number of medical conditions, including septic shock and placenta...
The kidneys are responsible for maintaining the body's fluid balance and filtering waste products from the blood. When kidney function declines, a special diet is necessary to control the amount of fluid and waste products that the kidneys must...
BUN and creatinine tests are common medical lab tests used to assess kidney function. The BUN, or blood urea nitrogen test, measures amounts of nitrogen in your blood. A creatinine test is used to check for how well your kidneys are filtering...
Creatine is a compound naturally created by our body to produce the energy needed for muscle contraction. When your muscles break down creatine, a waste product called creatinine is formed. Your kidneys excrete almost all the creatinine in your...
Albendazole is a drug used to treat worm infestations. It is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and marketed under the names Zentel, Albenza and Eskazole. This drug is effective against nematodes such as whipworms, roundworms and pinworms, and...
Depression is a mental illness that affects many elderly persons, according to the National Institutes of Health. Due to changes in their lives, lack of interaction and medical reasons, many elderly patients develop depression. Besides feeling...
Ascites is the accumulation of extra fluid within the abdominal cavity, specifically between the thin lining protecting the abdominal organs and the abdominal wall. According to Hepatitis Central, an educational website devoted to hepatitis C...
Epilepsy is a disorder in which the nerve cells in the brain send abnormal signals that cause recurrent, spontaneous seizures. Seizures are episodes or fits in which normal brain function is disturbed, causing visible changes in attention and...
Metformin is an anti-hyperglycemic drug used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes and to treat women with polycystic ovary syndrome (POCS) and hirsutism, excessive or unwanted facial or body hair. Metformin also has benefits in treating acne in...
Your serum blood urea nitrogen, or BUN, level reflects a balance between your body's protein catabolism and kidney function. A wide variety of conditions and diseases influence this balance, as does your state of hydration and many medications....
Women's nutritional needs for physical fitness are notably different than men's needs, especially for women who are pursuing bodybuilding as a hobby or competitor. The "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" notes that all bodybuilders need...
The spleen is an organ that plays a vital role in protecting the body from infections, since the special cells present in the spleen kill the bacteria or germs that are present in the blood. An individual may need to get the spleen removed due to...
Noticing a new bump on your body can be alarming, but often there is no reason for concern. There are many causes for underarm bumps and a doctor can tell you definitively what is causing yours. Before you consult your doctor, it is a good idea to...
Crestor is a prescription medication, manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, which helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. Crestor is the brand name for the medication rosuvastatin. Rosuvastatin works to reduce...
Zetia (generic name ezetimibe) is a cholesterol-lowering medication available as a 10-milligram tablet. Zetia is used to treat high cholesterol either on its own or with another medication such as a statin. Zetia inhibits absorption of low-density...
The adrenal glands are thumb-sized glands atop the kidneys. They produce hormones, such as norepinephrine and cortisol, that affect energy production, metabolism and the way the body responds to stress. As the University of Maryland Medical Center...
The abdomen has a large space (called the periotoneal cavity) that can sometimes become filled with fluid, resulting in a condition known as ascites. Ascites are typically a sign of a more serious underlying medical disorder, such as liver or...
Bumps under the arms usually are due to an enlargement of the lymph nodes that reside there. The lymph nodes are organs that trap infectious materials or cells. According to Medline Plus, bumps under the arm can be caused by any number of factors,...
Lotrel, a medication designed to control high blood pressure, contains a calcium channel blocker and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, also called an ACE inhibitor. Both substances affect the way your body responds to potassium. Some...
Formulating a diagnosis is an ongoing, dynamic and flexible process. Your health care practitioner may start with a medical history, which includes aspects of the present illness, past illnesses, surgeries, medications, social habits such as...
Conjugated linoleic acid, also known as CLA, is a healthy polyunsaturated fat found in certain foods, such as grass-fed meats and dairy products, and also in supplement form. Research suggests that CLA supplementation can have positive effects on...
SMZ-TMP is a urinary tract anti-infective called sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim, according to Pearson Nurse's Drug Guide 2010. For ease in speech the name of the medication is shortened to SMZ-TMP. This combination medication is effective in...
Caffeine addicts must pay special attention to their doctors' orders for blood tests needed for routine health checks and diagnostics. Depending on the type of blood work, typical laboratory protocols can upset your coffee-shop routine with...
Tonalin conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, is an omega-6 fatty acid that is found in foods such as full-fat dairy products and grass-feed beef. It's usually taken in supplement form to enhance weight loss and improve body composition. Evidence...
Creatinine tests are commonly used by your doctor as a quick and easy way to check your kidney function. Creatine supplements are used by athletes and fitness enthusiasts to assist in muscle growth and increase short-term endurance. Creatine is...
The creatinine and BUN, or blood urea nitrogen, blood tests are usually ordered as a part of a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel to assess kidney function. These tests may be ordered as part of a routine physical exam or to monitor declining...
Metformin is a biguanide that helps control blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Teaching Center at the University of San Francisco states that metformin is the most commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of...
BMP stands for basic metabolic panel. It is a specific group of blood tests that measure different chemicals in the plasma of the blood. The BMP includes measures for blood glucose, calcium and electrolyte tests, as well as blood tests that...