Renal--or kidney--insufficiency can be either chronic or acute. Acute renal insufficiency occurs suddenly, and may be reversible in some cases. Chronic renal insufficiency, on the other hand, is a slow deterioration of the kidneys that takes place...
Potassium is a mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of nerve and muscle cells in your body. Hyperkalemia is a condition that occurs when the level of potassium in your blood is higher than normal. Hyperkalemia is a dangerous...
A decrease in urine output in a toddler can be an indication of a moderate to severe health issue that requires medical attention. Even a short-term decrease in urination can indicate a potential problem. In many cases, if it is caught early, the...
The H1N1 influenza virus is the virus responsible for the swine flu. The H1N1 influenza virus primarily affects young people, children and infants. Infants are particularly vulnerable because they have never been exposed to similar viruses and...
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children. It is highly contagious, and outbreaks in the U.S. occur from November through April. Although rotavirus causes disease in both children and adults, children typically have the most...
Diabetes results from a disordered metabolism of glucose, thereby, causing markedly elevated blood glucose levels. Diabetes is commonly associated with abnormal blood potassium level. Abnormalities in blood potassium levels are related to high...
Approximately 5 percent of all Americans will develop appendicitis. The Merck Manual states that before surgery and antibiotics were readily available, 50 percent of those patients would die, a rate that is now almost zero. Rupture, the most...
Any toddler can experience a decrease in urination, especially if suffering from a high temperature. Symptoms can be caused by many conditions, some potentially serious. This makes it pertinent to understand what can trigger a fever and a decrease...
Sickle cell disease is genetic condition of the red blood cells that results when a person inherits two sickle cell traits from his parents. The hemoglobin part of the red blood cell is defective and does not function appropriately. Hemoglobin...
Preeclampsia and eclampsia are medical conditions that can occur in pregnancy. Though they are sometimes referred to as toxemias, there is no evidence that a toxin is involved in these conditions. Preeclampsia can result in too much protein in the...
Lightheadedness is a subtype of dizziness that is described as feeling as though you may faint. Dizziness and lightheadedness are common symptoms and usually do not indicate a serious underlying condition. Several conditions can cause...
Our bodies are 70 per cent water, and if you do not stay hydrated, it can have both short and long- term effects on your health. Sports drinks like Gatorade are okay occasionally, but the National Institute of Health warms that they are often...
Dehydration occurs when the body does not have enough fluids to carry out its baseline functions. As the body loses fluids, it can affect the concentration of its electrolytes, which are important substances present inside the cells and the...
Dehydration occurs when more water is lost from the body than taken in. In different age groups, there are specific clues to look for to identify dehydration. These symptoms are particularly harsh in the young since babies and toddlers as they do...
Prickly pear, also known as cactus pear, is a small, egg-shaped fruit containing tiny, edible seeds. The rind, which comes in a range of colors from yellow to purple, is not digestible, though, so do not consume it. While you can eat the prickly...
People who suffer from lightheadedness generally say they feel faint when they experience this type of dizziness. Lightheadedness occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the brain, so problems that...
Nephrons, which house the capillary network called glomeruli, are the functional units of the kidneys. In chronic renal disease, the damaged glomeruli do not function normally. Therefore, urine output decreases, anemia develops and electrolyte...
Ibuprofen, an over-the-counter medication, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that offers an alternative to steroids and aspirin. Ibuprofen reduces mild or moderate discomfort associated with minor aches and pains such as back pain,...
According to the Mayo Clinic, chronic renal failure is a gradual loss of various kidney functions like removing wastes, concentrating urine and conserving electrolytes. Chronic renal failure allows dangerous levels of waste products and fluids to...
Eating plays an important role in working out. In fact, Medline Plus states that a poor diet will have a negative impact on athletic performance, while a well-balanced diet will improve it. Therefore, before you plan your workouts you should...
According to Drs. Guoyang Luo, and Errol R Norwitz, the lungs are among the last of the fetal organs to mature. These authors state in a study published in 2008 in the journal "Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology" that immature lungs are a major...
The term "vitamin D" actually refers to two forms of vitamin D, called ergocalciferol, or D2 and cholecalciferol, or D3. Sun exposure activates production of vitamin D3 in the skin, while D2 comes only from food and supplements. Both D2 and D3 are...
The kidneys function as the primary site for maintaining chemical balance in the body. The maintenance of a normal acid-base balance occurs within minute kidney structures termed the renal tubules. Renal tubule malfunction that leads to excessive...
Acute renal failure is a sudden halt in kidney function. According to the Mayo Clinic, your kidney loses the ability to eliminate excess fluid and electrolytes as well as waste material from your blood. This is dangerous because a serious...
Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. This medication is generally used to treat mild or moderate pain due to inflammation, swelling, stiffness and even joint pain. Ibuprofen is also used to treat common aches...
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of crystals that separate from the urine, states the National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse. Kidney stones develop when natural chemicals present in the urine do not break down the...
The amino acid creatine helps build lean muscle mass and enhance athletic performance. Creatine, a building block of protein, occurs naturally in fish, meat and in your liver. Taking creatine may help strengthen your heart and your muscles.
Ginger has no known dose that causes toxicity, and side effects from consuming ginger are rare. However, if you want to use ginger medicinally, it's still best to proceed with caution and consult a doctor before beginning. Ginger is often used for...
The end of life is a natural experience we all will face at some point. The Hospice Foundation of America states that the dying patient usually exhibits signs and symptoms prior to death. This is called the dying process. Understanding the dying...