Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD, is an enzyme in the body that helps protect red blood cells from injury. When an individual suffers from G6PD deficiency, a genetic disease, he or she fails to make an adequate amount of this enzyme, thereby putting red blood cells in danger of cell death (1). While this condition ranges…
If amniotic fluid begins leaking during pregnancy, this can be cause for concern. Read on to learn more about the purpose of amniotic fluid, normal levels at various stages of pregnancy, and what leakage can indicate. What Is Amniotic Fluid? During pregnancy, the baby floats in amniotic fluid, which is contained inside of the amniotic…
“When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed, but also apprehensive,” writes Erin E. Andrews, in an article for the American Psychological Association (1). She goes on to explain: “I am a congenital triple amputee who uses a power wheelchair for mobility. I was less concerned about the effects of my disability, and…
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are some of the most common infections (1). Although anyone can get a UTI, women are more susceptible because they have shorter urethras, which makes it easier for bacteria to ascend into the bladder. At least 60% of women experience a lower urinary tract infection (involving the urethra and bladder) during…
During their education, doctors learn “medical jargon.” This refers to words and phrases that are useful when communicating with other medical professionals but may be very confusing to patients. The best doctors are careful not to overwhelm their patients with medical jargon, and instead try to use simple language when explaining things (unless the patient…
Although much is known about patterns in fetal development at the cellular and molecular level, we do not yet have molecular tests that can reliably determine the gestational age of an individual fetus. Instead, gestational age is typically estimated based on the date of a woman’s last menstrual period and/or ultrasound imaging. However, women do…
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently published a committee opinion discussing necessary precautions for patients who may have eating disorders. Eating disorders encompass a wide range of conditions in which a person has abnormal feeding habits; often, eating disorders affect physical health in addition to mental and emotional well-being. Some of the…
At the age of 14, James Harrison needed to have one of his lungs removed. He was able to survive the surgery thanks to a large amount of donor blood from strangers. After he recovered, Harrison wanted to pay it forward and give blood to others in need, but Australian law prohibited him from doing…
High-risk pregnancies require more careful monitoring and follow-up to watch for developing complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. There are a lot of reasons a pregnancy might be considered high-risk. Some women enter a pregnancy high-risk, while others start out with a low-risk pregnancy but develop complications that put them in the high-risk category. Once…
High blood pressure, known clinically as hypertension, is a condition in which the constant force of blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels is too high. Blood pressure measurements are composed of two numbers: The systolic blood pressure (top number) And diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) The American College of Cardiology defines normal…
