Blood transfusions — before blood types were discovered — were particularly dangerous, and unpredictable. If a patient received the wrong type of blood from a donor, the mixing of two incompatible blood types had a high risk of the blood clotting, severe immune reactions, and death. Such blood incompatibility caused destruction of red blood cells with symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, dark urine, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate.
Red blood cells supply oxygen to the body’s tissues in exchange for carbon dioxide which is eliminated by the lungs. The white blood cells fight infections by mobilizing the body’s defenses to recognize and attack viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and foreign bodies. We need platelets for the blood to clot. Plasma is the 4th (fourth) component of blood but, what is it? And why do we need it?
Blood is a life force, a vital fluid that keeps us healthy. An adult has about five liters (ten pints) of blood that circulates throughout the body 24/7. It is slightly thicker than water, bright red when oxygenated, and dark red when deoxygenated. Too much, or too little blood, or atypical blood are signs of underlying medical problems.
A while back, I wrote an article about the journey of a woman going from “Treadmill to Marathon.” At that time, I used the pseudonym “Julie” for the woman in the 2021 article. Recently, I encountered Jeannine, the actual name of the Marathon Lady that I interviewed years ago, whose story she splendidly recounted. She gave me permission to use her name: I asked her…
A fistula is an abnormal connection between two parts of your body that don’t normally connect. The connection can result from a traumatic injury, pressure changes, infection, or surgery. The fistula can causebodily fluids to travel to areaswhere they shouldn’t normally exist.
Oral thrush is a common yeast infection in the mouth of babies and young children. Children are susceptible to this fungal infection since their immune systems are still developing. It’s caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a fungus that’s normally present in the mouth and on the skin.
Mitchell is a 63 y/o stockbroker with a history of lung cancer who underwent a resection of the left lung, and chemotherapy for the tumor in 2019. He smoked one to two packs of cigarettes most of his adult life, and was forced to retire on his 61st birthday because of difficulty breathing, due to COPD.
Many cancer patients inquire if they’re eligible to participate in clinical trials for their specific cancer. Such was the case with 47 y/o Melanie, mother of two daughters, who was diagnosed with an invasive form of breast cancer. Besides wanting the most up-to-date treatment for her cancer, Melanie was interested in the latest cancer preventive clinical trials which might apply to her daughters. Besides cancer, current clinical trials are investigating, for example, Alzheimer’s disease treatments, diabetes medications, and cardiovascular diseases.
During the summer months, we’re likely to enjoy the outdoors more, and even consider a long weekend in rustic surroundings to escape the turmoil of city life. That’s what my wife and I did several years ago when we rented a cabin by the lake, enjoyed the peace and murmurs of nature, and leisurely walks before returning to the city.
Swimmer’s ear, also known as external otitis, is an inflammation, or infection of the ear canal, the area between the external ear, and the eardrum. It’s called “swimmer’s ear” because it’s often initiated by water trapped in the ear canal after swimming or bathing, which creates a friendly environment for bacteria, and fungi to grow.