Category Archives: Disease

Leukemia is a blood cancer, specifically of our white blood cells (WBCs) (a.k.a. “leukocytes”), which are the major component of our immune system.  There are different types of WBCs (see link, and diagram below), thus there are different types of Leukemia, which can be either acute or chronic.  But even though the Leukemias are diseasesContinue reading “Leukemia”

We speak of Heart Rate (how fast it beats), and Heart Rhythm (whether it’s regular or not).  Heart beats begin in the fetus at about 6 weeks of pregnancy.  A group of cells (Sinus Node) at the top-right of the heart has an innate ability to generate electrical impulses.  A circuit runs first through bothContinue reading “Arrhythmias (Cardiac)”

Folic acid is a nutrient necessary for making red blood cells (RBCs).  So people without enough develop Anemia.  As described in the link, hemoglobin is low, and RBCs are larger than normal. The latter is measured by a number “MCV”; large means >100, oftentimes around 110. Fortunately, folic acid deficiency is very rare in theContinue reading “Folic Acid Deficiency”

Various chronic diseases can affect the liver.  We usually look for them if we find persistent elevations in liver function tests (LFTs), sometimes discovered by accident on a lab test done for other reasons.  We’ve all heard of Hepatitis B and Hep C; there’s also Hep D (Hep A and Hep E get better onContinue reading “Chronic Liver Diseases”

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a type of blood cancer, less common than others (Leukemias and Lymphomas).  It mostly affects people over 65 years-old, very rarely under 50.  It’s a disease of Plasma Cells, a kind of white blood cell lymphocyte that makes antibody.  The abnormal plasma cells multiply rapidly to invade various organs, especially bonesContinue reading “Multiple Myeloma”

Polycythemia Vera (PV) is an uncommon condition in which the body makes too many Red Blood Cells (RBCs).  Most cases occur over 50-years-old, and are discovered accidentally when a Complete Blood Count (CBC) is drawn for other reasons.  Some patients with PV have vague symptoms like fatigue.  Others may have unusual symptoms, like unbearably intenseContinue reading “Polycythemia Vera”

Our seven cervical vertebrae (neck bones) protect the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves running from the brain to all parts of our body. If a broken vertebra injures the cord, the person could be paralyzed from the arms on down. Sometimes even the breathing muscles can be damaged, causing death. In the context ofContinue reading “Neck Fracture”

Iron deficiency means there’s not enough iron in the body.  This is a common cause of Anemia, although there are many other causes as well (see link to topic).  We give iron supplements to treat anemia, and to prevent it during pregnancy.  But if a person has anemia for another reason, iron won’t help atContinue reading “Iron Deficiency”