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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms. Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure. The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater. If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.

Blood Clots (in the Leg)

Blood clots can form in the heart, legs, arteries, veins, bladder, urinary tract, and uterus. Risk factors include high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, and family history. Symptoms and treatment depend on the location of the clot.

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)

Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is blood pressure that is so low that it causes symptoms or signs due to the low flow of blood through the arteries and veins. Some of the symptoms of low blood pressure include light-headedness, dizziness, and fainting if not enough blood is getting to the brain. Diseases and medications can also cause low blood pressure. When the flow of blood is too low to deliver enough oxygen and nutrients to vital organs such as the brain, heart, and kidneys; the organs do not function normally and may be permanently damaged.

How to Lower My Blood Pressure Immediately

If you face any complications of high blood pressure such as a stroke or heart attack, contact your physician without any delay. Do not attempt home remedies in such grave situations. If you have high blood pressure, without any complications, the first thing to do is to calm down and lie flat.

Bilirubin Test

Bilirubin is a waste product of the normal breakdown of red blood cells in the liver. Normal bilirubin levels vary from lab to lab, and range from around 0.2 to 1.2 mg/dL. High levels of bilirubin can be diagnosed with a bilirubin blood test. Causes of elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood can be caused by infections, viral hepatitis, anemia, genetic diseases, and liver problems. Symptoms of elevated bilirubin levels depend on the cause; however, jaundice is a common sign. Treatment for elevated bilirubin levels depend on the cause.

High Red Blood Cell Count (Polycythemia)

Polycythemia (elevated red blood cell count) is a rare blood disease in which the body produces too many red blood cells. Causes of polycythemia are either primary (acquired or genetic mutations) or secondary (diseases, conditions, high altitude).

Is 110/60 a Too Low Blood Pressure?

A blood pressure reading of 110/60 mmHg is usually not considered a low blood pressure.

Hives (Urticaria)

Hives, also called urticaria, is a raised, itchy area of skin. Most often the cause of hives is unknown. Sometimes it is a sign of an allergic reaction to food or medications, but the cause of the allergy (the allergen) is unknown. Dermatographism and swelling (angioedema) may accompany hives. Treatment to get rid of hives and alleviate symptoms typically includes antihistamines.

Sepsis (Blood Poisoning)

Sepsis (blood poisoning) is a potentially deadly infection with signs and symptoms that include elevated heart rate, low or high temperature, rapid breathing and/or a white blood cell count that is too high or too low and has more than 10% band cells. Most cases of sepsis are caused by bacterial infections, and some cases are caused by fungal infections. Treatment requires hospitalization, IV antibiotics, and therapy to treat any organ dysfunction.

High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia)

Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar is a serious health problem for diabetics. There are two types of hyperglycemia, 1) fasting, and 2)postprandial or after meal hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia can also lead to ketoacidosis or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (HHNS). There are a variety of causes of hyperglycemia in people with diabetes. Symptoms of high blood sugar may include increased thirst, headaches, blurred vision, and frequent urination.Treatment can be achieved through lifestyle changes or medications changes. Carefully monitoring blood glucose levels is key to prevention.

Pulmonary Embolism (Blood Clot in the Lung)

A pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when a piece of a blood clot from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) breaks off and travels to an artery in the lung where it blocks the artery and damages the lung. The most common symptoms of a pulmonary embolism are shortness of breath, chest pain, and a rapid heart rate. Causes of pulmonary embolism include prolonged immobilization, certain medications, smoking, cancer, pregnancy, and surgery. Pulmonary embolism can cause death if not treated promptly.

Can Gastroenteritis Cause a High White Blood Cell Count?

What is gastroenteritis, and does it cause a high white blood cell count? Learn the symptoms and causes of gastroenteritis.

Thrombocytopenia (Low Platelet Count)

Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) refers to a decreased number of platelets in the blood. Symptoms of thrombocytopenia include: Increased bruising Spontaneous bleeding Small, purple spots under the skin called purpura There are many causes of thrombocytopenia such as decreased platelet production (viral infections for example rubella, mumps, chickenpox, hepatitis C, and HIV); increased platelet destruction or consumption (for example sulfonamide antibiotics, heparin, blood transfusions, and lupus); or increased splenic sequestration (enlarged spleen due to conditions, for example, liver disease, blood cancers, and more). Treatment of thrombocytopenia depends on the cause.

Do All Cancers Show Up on Blood Tests?

Early diagnosis and treatment of cancer increase the chances of recovery and gives a better chance of survival. No single test can accurately diagnose cancer. An accurate diagnosis of cancer and the extent of its spread inside the body usually involves many tests. Blood tests are usually done in all cases of suspected cancer and may also be done routinely in healthy individuals. Not all cancers show up on blood tests. Blood tests can give information about the overall health status, such as thyroid, kidney and liver functions.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT, Blood Clot in the Legs)

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep veins, and can be caused by broken bones, trauma to a limb, immobility, medications, smoking, cancer, genetic predisposition, and cancer. Symptoms and signs of a deep vein thrombosis in a leg are swelling, tenderness, redness, warmth, and pain. Treatments for DVT include medications and surgery.

How Do I Know If I Have High or Low Blood Pressure Numbers?

High or low blood pressure can lead to serious health conditions. Learn more about what you should do if your pressure is outside the ideal range.

How Does Dyspnea Affect the Body?

Patients with dyspnea often describe tightness of the chest and a smothering sensation. These feelings can cause anxiety and psychological distress that makes symptoms worse, creating a vicious cycle. If you notice labored breathing in your child, you're right to be worried. Learn the signs to look for in your child’s breathing and when to call a doctor.

What Foods Are Good If You Have Low Blood Pressure?

What is low blood pressure and what causes it? Learn the signs and symptoms of low blood pressure and what you can do to treat it.

Hyponatremia (Low Blood Sodium)

Hyponatremia is a condition in which the levels of sodium in the blood is too low. Some of the symptoms of hyponatremia include headaches, muscle cramps or spasm, seizures, weakness, restlessness, and confusion. Hyponatremia can occur from excess fluid in the body, or a loss of sodium in body fluid. Causes of low levels of sodium in the blood include chronic diseases like kidney or congestive heart failure, adrenal gland problems, hypothyroidism, and liver cirrhosis, and some medications. Diet and other lifestyle changes in addition to treatment with electrolyte replacement with an IV. Other treatments for hyponatremia depend upon the cause.

18 Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Without Medication

Lifestyle changes and home remedies are effective in controlling high blood pressure (hypertension). Check out the center below for more medical references on hypertension, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Hemophilia A and B (Bleeding Disorders)

Hemophilia is defined as one of a group of inherited bleeding disorders. Hemophilia A and hemophilia B are inherited in an X-linked recessive genetic pattern. Symptoms of hemophilia include bleeding into the: joints, muscles, GI or urinary tract, or brain or skull. Hemophilia treatment generally involves the replacement of blood clotting factors.

What Causes Your Red Blood Cells to Be Low?

Any values considerably lower than the normal range are considered a low red blood cell (RBC) count. If your cell count is much lower than 4.2 million cells/mcL, then you may have anemia.

What Causes Low Blood Pressure in Pregnancy?

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension) Causes

Low blood pressure (hypotension) occurs when blood pressure drops below the normal range. Low blood pressure can be temporary, or it can be a chronic (long-lasting) condition.

How Do You Get Rid of Hives Fast?

Learn what medical treatments can help ease your hives and speed up your recovery.

Are Hives (Urticaria) Contagious?

Hives are not contagious are triggered by an allergic response to a substance. Symptoms and signs of hives include a raised, itchy red rash on the skin. An individual should seek medical care for hives if he or she develops dysphagia, wheezing, shortness of breath, or throat tightening.

What Tests Should Be Done for Shortness of Breath?

Tests that may be done for shortness of breath include a chest X-ray, blood oxygen level test, electrocardiography, lung function test, and blood tests.

Are Hives and Rash the Same Thing?

Learn how to tell the difference between a rash and hives and how to treat both.

How to Get Rid of Hives: 20 Ways

Hives or urticarias are red, itchy skin rashes triggered by food, medicine, or other irritants. They can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameters.

What Causes Giant Platelet Disorder?

Giant platelet disorder is a genetic abnormality that has been mapped to the short arm of chromosome 17. Check out the center below for more medical references on platelet disorder, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

What Causes Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea?

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) is most commonly associated with heart disease; however, it may also result from respiratory diseases as well.

What Do Stress Hives Look Like?

Stress hives can look like insect bites—red, swollen, itchy bumps with irregular shapes. They may initially appear as individual bumps but combine to form larger patches.

What Are the Main Causes of Urticaria (Hives)?

Hives are mostly an allergic reaction, appearing quickly and disappearing as fast. Learn what causes them, when to see a doctor and how to avoid them.

Giant Platelet Syndrome (Bernard-Soulier Disease)

Giant Platelet Syndrome (Bernard-Soulier Disease) is a rare inherited bleeding disorder caused by a defect in the platelet glycoprotein complex 1b-IX-V. Symptoms and signs include bruising, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and problems with anything that induces bleeding, such as surgery, ulcers, trauma, and menstruation. Treatment involves avoiding medications that interfere with clot formation, such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. People with Bernard-Soulier syndrome should avoid contact sports.

What Does It Mean If Your Platelet Count Is High?

A high platelet count increases the chances of blood clots and reduces blood flow in the body. Check out the center below for more medical references on blood disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Can Cancer Be Detected in Blood Tests?

When a person is suspected to have cancer, doctors may perform a variety of tests to help diagnose cancer. Different types of blood tests are done to check for abnormal cells, cancer cells, proteins, tumor markers or other substances made by the cancer cells. This helps determine if a person has cancer or any precancerous condition. Blood tests may also indicate if other organs of the body have been affected by cancer.

What Are the 3 Types of Hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder in which the blood doesn't clot normally. It mainly affects males and is rare in females. Hemophilia is sometimes called “the royal disease.” Several royal families of England, Germany, Russia, and Spain in the 19th and 20th centuries had members afflicted with hemophilia.

Platelet Disorder - Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)

Immune thrombocytopenia is a platelet disorder triggered in adults by infections. Check out the center below for more medical references on platelet disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Can COVID-19 Only Be Shortness of Breath?

Shortness of breath may be a symptom of COVID-19, but on its own it is unlikely to be a sign of infection. Learn about other causes of shortness of breath.

Is It Worth Banking Cord Blood?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) do not recommend routinely banking cord blood with private banks. There is an exception of a sibling with a medical condition requiring stem cells for treatment. However, it is advisable to donate cord blood to a public cord blood bank to provide life-saving stem cells to a person in need.

What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma Used For?

Platelet-rich plasma is used to treat sports injuries, osteoarthritis, hair loss, and signs of aging. Check out the center below for more medical references on alternative therapies, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Can You Survive Without Platelets?

Platelets are necessary for preventing and stopping blood loss after an injury. Low platelet counts increase your risk of severe bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Check out the center below for more medical references on blood disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

What Are Common Platelet Disorders?

Common platelet disorders include thrombocythemia, thrombocytopenia, and dysfunction disorders. Check out the center below for more medical references on blood disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

How Do COPD Patients Cope With Shortness of Breath?

Episodes of shortness of breath or breathlessness occur in individuals with severe conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). An episode of breathlessness could be predicted if triggers are known, and it becomes highly unpredictable if triggers are unknown.

Is Low Platelet Count Serious?

A low platelet count can be serious in severe cases, potentially causing dangerous internal bleeding. Learn about the causes, symptoms, types, and treatment of low platelet count or thrombocytopenia. Check out the center below for more medical references on blood disorders, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.