𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝟭𝟮𝟯

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Our bone marrow is what makes our blood cells -- red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets. Actually it's "red marrow" which makes them, found in the vertebrae, pelvis, sternum (breastbone), skull, and hips. A bone marrow biopsy obtains a specimen, usually from the pelvis or maybe the sternum. This is sometimesContinue reading "Bone Marrow Biopsy"

Palpitations

Defined as sensation of heart pounding or fluttering, oftentimes rapidly but not necessarily ....................Causes ** Anxiety (including Panic Attack) -- most common cause ** Heart Arrhythmia (abnormal rhythm) Not Serious -- CommonSerious -- UncommonSee link for explanations ** Medical Conditions (uncommon causes) HyperthyroidismAnemiaPheochromocytomaLow Blood Glucose (only if on insulin or certain oral diabetic medications, seeContinue reading "Palpitations"

Arrhythmias (Cardiac)

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)"

Myelodysplasia

A rare form of "pre-cancer" of the bone marrow, interfering with its ability to produce blood cells. Sometimes it produces defective cells, sometimes it just doesn't produce enough. This can leave a patient at risk of infection, cause Anemia, or bruising; the danger is if it turns into Leukemia. Myelodysplasia is almost always a diseaseContinue reading "Myelodysplasia"

Folic Acid Deficiency

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"

Chronic Liver Diseases

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

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

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"

Colonizing Bacteria

There's a difference between bacteria that colonize a part of the body, and those that infect it. For example, we have lots of bacteria living harmlessly in our noses, mouths, and throats. But if they work their way into tissue like roots of teeth, the ear, the lungs, etc., then they cause infection. Our bowelContinue reading "Colonizing Bacteria"

Author

Steve Leiner has been a Nurse Practitioner for over 40 years, currently providing general adult primary care, plus an HIV specialty, in a San Francisco community clinic which serves mostly low-income and indigent patients. His past work has included running a rural Emergency Room in Appalachia, and training community health workers in El Salvador. ThisContinue reading "Author"