The A1c test is the best way that a diabetic can gauge the success of a treatment. It is a measure of the glycated hemoglobin, one that gives a view of how well the glucose levels have been controlled over a two to three month time period. The results determine whether a change is needed in your dia

Proteins are nutrients necessary for the structure of cells, tissues and organs, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Low blood protein or protein deficiency is typically a sign of an underlying disease and has the potential to cause serious health problems.

Whether or not you are a diabetic, developing hyperglycemia can be a sign of prediabetes or diabetes onset. Hyperglycemia can lead to severe long-term problems like blindness, vision impairment, blood circulation issues, infertility, amputations and more.

Like every other organ in your body, your eyes require oxygenated blood to function properly. When there is too much pressure inside the eye and compromised blood flow, problems like glaucoma can occur. Your vision may become altered too. Improving vascular function for your eyes is important. Alway

Lowering glucose -- your body's blood sugar levels -- is critical to staying healthy. When your blood glucose goes too high on a regular basis, you likely have diabetes. And diabetics need to maintain their glucose levels to keep their condition under control. Many diabetics take medications such as

The liver is the second largest organ in the human body, and it performs some very important tasks. One of those tasks is recycling hemoglobin and other chemicals for later use. When the liver is damaged, a byproduct of the recycling process builds up in the blood. A number of conditions, each with

Adenoidectomy is a procedure to remove the adenoids. Children are more likely to need this surgery, although some adults may develop adenoid problems, as well. Surgeons began performing adenoidectomy procedures around the late 1800s, usually in conjunction with tonsillectomies. The two procedures we

Hyperbilirubinemia is known as newborn jaundice, which is a condition caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is created when the body recycles old red blood cells. The liver removes bilirubin from the body in the stool. High levels of bilirubin in a newbo

The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Blood cells are not normally found within the urine. If a urinalysis shows blood cells in the urine, also known as hematuria, that could signal that something is wrong within the urinary system.Urinary tract...

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve and cause blindness. The most common cause of glaucoma is a pressure buildup inside the eye (intraocular pressure). Vision can be lost so gradually that an individual is not aware of the problem until irreversible damage has occurred.

Blood clots are the body's natural way to heal a wound and stop its bleeding. These blood clots generally dissolve by themselves and are not considered dangerous to your health. However, if they form in veins or arteries, they can prevent blood from flowing to vital organs in the body and have a dev

An elevated level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia) is usually a minor condition that's easily treated. Severe cases of hyperkalemia may indicate a serious underlying condition such as kidney dysfunction.

Get in synch with the current state of the art in STEMI care with both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic reperfusion strategies.

A reader sheds light on a genetic condition that affects her and her family.

Though more readily available than prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines should still be viewed with caution. Many common over-the-counter remedies are known to affect blood pressure, and several contain stimulants that can also increase heart rate. Learn which over-the-counter drugs are sa

Anaphylactoid purpura is a disorder that causes blood vessel inflammation and bleeding. This bleeding causes a purple rash to appear on the skin. Most people recover without complications; however, some people may have kidney damage or bowel obstructions.

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Platelets are integral to stopping blood loss from wounds.hand with blood image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.comThe health condition characterized by a low count of blood platelets --- the cells in blood that form clots to stop bleeding --- is known as thrombocytopenia. Stemming from...

An abundance of glucose is the common link between diabetes and glycosuria or sticky urine. The problem originates in the kidneys and can be a sign of bigger problems.

After decades of accumulating fatty deposits, including cholesterol, arteries in the neck can become clogged. Unless properly treated, this condition, known as carotid artery disease, may lead to stroke and death.