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WBC count – Understanding the blood count

WBC count – Understanding the blood count

WBC is white blood cells in the body that is helpful in fighting against infections, germs, bacteria, and virus in the body. It is important to understand how the WBC count works and how it affects the body’s immune system. A normal WBC count varies anywhere between 3,500 to 10,500 in adults. What if the WBC count is more than the normal range? It is seen that a lower white blood cell count can cause a number of health issues. This is one of the reasons that an elevated level of WBC count is often neglected as people think that it is not a matter of concern. However, a high WBC count does not specifically indicate the symptom of a disease but can be related to other issues such as: Stress Inflammation Trauma Allergy Infection So, it is important to go for a Complete Blood Cell (CBC) test that will also include a WBC count. In case, if the count differs from the normal WBC count, then it is better to consult the doctor. What does a low WBC count signify? WBC or white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. A flexible tissue, bone marrow is found in some of the bones of the body.
Getting an overview on normal WBC count

Getting an overview on normal WBC count

WBC or White Blood Cells are present in the body to fight against various infections. These infections can be viruses, bacteria, or any kind of germs that infect the body’s immune system. White Blood Cells (WBC) keeps away these germs at bay and keep the immune system of the body healthy. Also known as leukocytes, it is important to keep the normal WBC count. A WBC count helps us to understand the number of white blood cells in the blood. This count tells us about whether you are vulnerable to infections. One can also get to know about any undiagnosed medical condition by getting to know the WBC count. It is always advisable to get the body checked. What is the WBC count test? The WBC count test measures the total number of white blood cells in the body, which gives an idea of the immune system of the body. So, if you want to get a WBC count test, you can opt to go for the complete blood count (CBC) test. It should be known here that the white blood cells count in our body gives us the sign of how healthy are we. Also, a slight change from the normal WBC count is a symptom of alert.
Attention deficit disorder – What are the symptoms

Attention deficit disorder – What are the symptoms

Attention deficit disorder is a condition that is a cause of mental impairment. Normally, children are affected, especially kids who are in the age bracket of seven years. This disability is a serious condition and is progressive, thus it should be addressed in time. If left untreated, it can have a very bad effect on the maturing child’s growth. A child affected by attention deficit disorder is unable to focus on a particular activity as the illness makes it difficult for him/her to maintain attention for a long period. This makes it difficult for them to be a part of the society. The following symptoms are strong indicators that suggest if a child suffers from attention deficit disorder: Hyperactivity – Children with ADD have too much of energy and thus, it makes it difficult for them to stay put in a place. They have to emit their energy in some way or the other. Thus, they begin to perform some kind of activity, whether it singing out loud or scribbling on a school book. Take risks – An individual who shows traits of attention deficit disorder will indulge in risky activities. They do not understand the complexities or do not fear the thought of carry out a activity that is normally considered to be dangerous.
How to know if your kid has ADHD

How to know if your kid has ADHD

Sometimes, parents have to take little more care than usual to identify if their kids have any disorder in them or not. It can be a big deal for the parents to learn that their toddler may have a disorder that would require special attention. As a parent, it is not an easy information to digest and at times, the disorders are not easy to identify. ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder) is once such disorders that is hard to find in toddlers as the symptoms are very close to the natural behavior of toddlers. For the parents to find out if their child has ADHD, it is important they learn about all the ADHD symptoms toddlers have. ADHD symptoms in toddlers can be tricky and most symptoms are how toddlers generally behave. Some ADHD symptoms in toddlers are: Short term attention span Unable to pay attention Always fidgets Low to no patience Interruptive behavior Takes risk (unaware of consequences) Even after knowing the symptoms in detail, parents need to sit and observe their child carefully so they don’t miss out of any ADHD symptoms in their toddler. Here is a checklist parents can follow to identify if their child has ADHD or not:
Details of prostate-specific antigen blood test

Details of prostate-specific antigen blood test

Prostate is a gland of the male reproductive system and PSA (prostate specific agent) is a protein produced by prostate cells. Prostate cancer is diagnosed with the help of a PSA test. PSA test is performed by taking a blood sample from the patient. High PSA range indicates cancer or inflamed prostate. So, when PSA test is taken, other factors that confirm prostate cancer must be taken into account as well. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Though high level of PSA can indicate cancer, a healthy man without any cancer should have little amount of PSA in his blood circulation. To prepare for the test, make sure your doctor is aware of the medication you are on. Some medication can tamper with your blood test and make your PSA range appear falsely low. Other than informing your doctor about the medication, there is nothing more you have to do to prepare for the test. The PSA test is performed for these reasons: To check if the patient has prostate cancer To check if the treatments for prostate cancer are going right and if the cancer has returned To check if the prostate gland is normal or not during physical exam Checking the PSA range may increase the chance of finding prostate cancer when it is at an early stage.
Working of an MRI scanner

Working of an MRI scanner

Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI consists of a hollow machine that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to produce pictures of the internal structure of the body, in this case, knee. Knee MRI scan helps determine pain, weakness, swelling or inflammation in and around the knee joint. MRI scanners do not use ionizing radiation and help to determine if you require surgery. Preparing for Knee MRI Scan The doctors might require you to wear a gown or they may allow you to wear loose clothing during the scanning exam which does not contain any metal fasteners. Some MRI procedures require you to receive contrast medications intravenously that will help MRI scanner to get detailed images of the internal structure of the knee. Your radiologist or technologist might ask you if you have allergies of any kind before fixing a dosage. For people allergic to iodine, gadolinium might be used as a contrast medication. Patient consent is therefore required in such cases. Working of an MRI scanner The machine uses radio frequency pulses to realign hydrogen atoms present in our body while you are in the scanner. It does not cause any chemical changes in the body. The hydrogen atoms emit different levels of energy that vary according to the different type of body tissue.
5 simple ways in which you can prevent cataracts

5 simple ways in which you can prevent cataracts

Cataract is a common vision problem that many people suffer as they cross their 40s. In cataracts, your otherwise clear eye lenses develop a foggy layer on them, and everything appears to be blurry. Although cataract is not a major eye condition, it cannot be ignored for long as it starts affecting your daily routine and makes it difficult for you to perform simple tasks like reading and driving. So, how can you prevent developing a case of cataract? There is no proof about the prevention of cataract, but there are some preventive measures that doctors believe help in reducing your chances of developing a cataract. Here are 5 tactical ways in which you can bring down your chances of developing a cataract: Go for regular eye checkups Once you have crossed the age of 40, it is best to have a routine eye checkup done. In fact, there is no harm in getting a routine eye checkup done in your early years as that will help in early detection of cataract or any other eyesight related problems. It is advisable to ask your doctor about how often you should get an eye examination done. Avoid smoking Smoking is said to be a common risk factor that might lead to the development of cataract at an early age.
List of Symptoms in ADHD-affected Adults

List of Symptoms in ADHD-affected Adults

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a medical condition that affects both adults and children. A person suffering from this condition has differences in brain activity and brain development that affect self-control, attention, and the ability to sit still. ADHD can affect people at home, work or in relationships as it has a telling impact on the way people behave. It is easier to recognize ADHD in adults than children as the signs are prominent. Here is the list of symptoms, ADHD adults may experience: Trouble getting organized The troubles of managing bills, children, and jobs to name a few can prove to be quite a task for ADHD patients. Reckless driving Reckless driving and frequent accidents are a few of the symptoms ADHD adults come across often. The condition makes people more likely to drive recklessly which leads to getting speeding tickets and losing their license. Marital problems Constant marital problems, arguing over small things, poor listening skills and an inability to honor commitments is a sign of the onset of the disease. Prone to distraction Not being able to get your mind on things and getting distracted easily is a sign of ADHD. Finishing any particular task becomes difficult for ADHD patients and they keep moving from one thing to another. As you are easily distracted, your mind jumps from one thing to the other.
Eye Floaters and Flashes – Causes and Treatment

Eye Floaters and Flashes – Causes and Treatment

Spots in your vision are called eye floaters. These spots drift through the field of vision when you look at bright objects. Although eye floaters do not cause any pain, they can be annoying. Large eye floaters may cause a shadow over your vision. These large floaters appear only when exposed to certain types of light. Eye floaters and flashes move around in your eye and seem to move away when the focus is on them. Change in the protein fibers that make up the vitreous part of the eye is what causes eye floaters. There are some serious eye disorders that can be associated with eye floaters, such as, a torn retina, detached retina, inflamed vitreous, vitreous bleeding, and eye tumors. Causes of eye floaters Eye floaters and flashes are mainly caused by the changes in the protein fibers (collagen). These changes are part of the aging process. Collagen is the protein that makes up the vitreous of the eye. Floaters are flecks of collagen that shrink as you age. Once they shrink to little shreds, they bind together to cast shadows on the retina of the eye. Although very rare and unlikely, floaters may be caused by eye injury, diabetic retinopathy, eye tumors, or deposits in the vitreous.
Common Causes of Proteinuria

Common Causes of Proteinuria

Protein in urine, or proteinuria as it called in medical parlance, is a condition where a patient’s urine samples show excess protein. It is essential to identify the presence or absence of protein while carrying out tests to analyze an individual’s urine. Finding low levels of protein in the urine is normal. If the level of protein is temporarily high as per the urine analysis, then even that can be classified as usual, especially in younger people who take the test after an exercise session or when they are suffering from an illness. A patient’s kidneys filter waste products from their blood while keeping the items required by their body such as proteins. However, some diseases and conditions allow proteins to pass through the filters of one’s kidneys, leading to a rise in the protein levels in one’s urine. Some conditions like dehydration, emotional stress, constant exposure to cold temperatures, and fever can cause a temporary rise in the levels of protein in the urine. A lot of strenuous exercises can also be harmful. However, not all of them indicate kidney damage Causes Among the many diseases and conditions that have the potential to cause persistently elevated levels of protein in the urine, we’ve listed a few common ones.
Common Causes of Blood Vessel Burst in the Eye

Common Causes of Blood Vessel Burst in the Eye

We all know that the human eye is one of the most sensitive organs in the human body, and one of the most important parts of the eye is the conjunctiva, which is a transparent tissue that covers the eye. Numerous tiny blood vessels are located in the conjunctiva and in the space between the conjunctiva and the underlying white part of the eye, known as the sclera. Apart from covering the sclera, blood vessels also line the inside of the eyelids. These vessels contain tiny glands that are responsible for secreting different fluids to protect and lubricate the eye. Bleeding in eyes can happen because a few blood vessels have burst. There are various causes of blood vessel burst in eyes. However, it is useful to know the reasons behind the phenomenon called blood in the eye. A subconjunctival haemorrhage, commonly known as ‘blood in the eye’ occurs when the tiny blood vessels break just underneath the conjunctiva. The blood gets trapped giving the white part of the eye a red color. This happens because the conjunctiva cannot absorb blood quickly. Moreover, you won’t realize that you are affected by subconjunctival hemorrhage until and unless you look in the mirror and notice the white part of the eye turning red.