Platelets, or thrombocytes, are described as “small, irregularly-shaped anuclear cells (i.e. cells that do not have a nucleus containing DNA), 2-3 µm in diameter which are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocytes”; megakaryocytes are bone marrow cells and the platelets are able to enter the bloodstream through broken megakaryocytes caused by thrombopoietin (hormone that maintains…
Advances in medical research have enabled doctors to learn more about Down Syndrome than ever before. Get insights into the symptoms of Down Syndrome and the treatments being used by the medical profession.
Head lice are small parasitic insects which mainly live on the scalp and neck hairs of humans. Lack of hygiene or sanitation is not a cause of head lice. Head lice are contagious and are passed from an infected person to uninfected person by direct head-to-head contact, shared combs and hairbrushes, hats and other hair…
Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) is an enzyme that is normally present in liver and heart cells. SGPT is released into blood when the liver or heart is damaged. The blood SGPT levels are thus elevated with liver damage (for example, from viral hepatitis) or with damage to the heart (for example, from a heart…
A platelet (also known as thrombocyte) is defined as an irregular, disc-shaped element in the blood that assists in blood clotting. During normal blood clotting, the platelets clump together. Platelets are the smallest of the three major types of blood cells, the normal platelet count is 150,000 to 350,000 per microliter of blood, but since…
The normal concentration of sodium in the blood plasma is 136-145 mm. If the sodium level falls too low, it’s called hyponatremia; if it gets too high, it’s called hypernatremia. A sodium level in the blood that is too low is dangerous and can cause seizures and coma. Sodium is a mineral element which is…
Addison disease is a condition that occurs when the body does not generate acceptable amounts of specific proteins made in the adrenal glands. The adrenal gland will produce inadequate amounts of coritsol and aldosterone in some instances. It is also refered to as adrenal insufficiency or hypocorticsolism. It may manifest at any age however the…
Mercer Disease is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It is also known as MRSA which is an acronym for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. What makes mercer disease so dangerous is the fact that as its name suggests it is resistant to many antibiotics which are normally used to treat Staph…