Sickle cell anemia, a serious congenital inherited disease usually diagnosed in childhood, causes red blood cells to develop a sickle rather than an oval shape. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body on hemoglobin, a protein that gives blood its...
Planning a wedding can be an exasperating experience. Minor details are often overlooked, causing additional stress for the bride and groom. One of the main things to remember is to obtain a marriage license before the ceremony. Any couple wishing...
It is possible to test a baby's DNA before birth. Known as prenatal genetic testing, this is generally performed when there is a family history of a genetic syndrome or features of a genetic syndrome have been during the pregnancy. Prenatal...
Around 2 million Americans and one in 12 African Americans are affected by sickle cell anemia, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disease that affects the body's blood cells. Normal red blood...
As a parent, you'll treat a number of fevers and upset tummies in your children but most parents are uncertain what to do when their child’s hands and feet turn a peculiar shade of yellow. In general, discolored palms in children are...
In the first half of the 1900s, many people who wanted a marriage license had to take a blood test first, depending on which state they lived in. In part, this was an attempt by the government to identify those with venereal and other diseases, so...
When Dale Lloyd II, a freshman cornerback at Rice University, fell to the ground unconscious during a practice on Sept. 24, 2006, and died the next day, his family and team were stunned. Lloyd was an healthy 19-year-old, but he did not know that...
You have several forms of hemoglobin in your red blood cells. The most abundant is hemoglobin A, or alpha-hemoglobin. It accounts for 90% or more of the hemoglobin in adults. Most of your hemoglobin A is subtype A1. When hemoglobin A1 absorbs...
Some genetic diseases, especially sickle cell anemia, occur at a higher frequency in African Americans when compared to other populations. Genetic testing for these disorders is available so that couples can receive testing before they decide to...
Blood consists of a liquid and protein component called serum, and a cellular component that is largely made up of red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to the tissues and help balance the acidity of the blood. Low red blood cell counts are...
Fifth disease is the common name used for an infection caused by the human parvovirus B19. The disease occurs most frequently among children; however, adults can be affected as well. The disease is transmitted by respiratory secretions including...
Your toddler's urinary tract involves his kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. During a normal process, his kidneys make urine that travels to the bladder via the ureters. The bladder stores the urine until it is emptied by the urethra. It is...
For many, getting married is one of the most important and exciting days of their lives. Before you can walk down the aisle, every state in the U.S. requires a license to make the marriage legal. While the process of applying for a marriage...
Hematocrit and hemoglobin, referred to as HCT and HGB, are components of red blood cells. The Mayo Clinic defines hematocrit as the number of red blood cells in a specified amount of blood. The Mayo Clinic defines hemoglobin as a protein molecule...
Sickle cell anemia affects about 72,000 Americans, making it the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. Sickle cell anemia is an illness in which there are not enough healthy red...
According to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the first trimester of pregnancy consists of the 13 weeks after your last menstrual period. Typically, your first prenatal visit will occur between the 8th and 10th week of pregnancy to start your...
Though they affect different systems of the body, both exercise-induced asthma and anemia share common symptoms that can impact physical activity. Through different mechanisms, each condition affects how the body distributes oxygen to its cells....
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder affecting red blood cells. According to the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, the disease originated in at least four places in Africa as well as the India/Saudi Arabian subcontinent....
Blood cells need a protein called hemoglobin to be able to transport oxygen throughout the body. There are a variety of genetic disorders that can affect hemoglobin, including different types of hereditary anemias and other blood disorders known...
Sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease is a blood disorder that causes some of the red bloods to assume a sickle or elongated shape, resulting in poor blood flow and improper oxygen delivery. Get expert tips and advice on preventing,...
