Multiple Myeloma or simply myeloma (in Greek Myelos means bone marrow), is known as one of the most devastating cancers affecting humans. Every year around 15,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the United States. Survival for a period of 5 years is seen in only 50% people. Genetic transformation of plasma >> Read More ...
What is the thymus gland? The thymus gland is a flask-shaped organ lying in the lower neck and upper part of the mediastinum (superior mediastinum) in the chest cavity. It is an important part of the immune system in that it plays a major role in cell-mediated immunity. However, surgical removal of the thymus gland, even >> Read More ...
Lipids are substances that are insoluble or poorly soluble in water. This means that it cannot dissolve in water. Lipids as a group comprises fats, oils and waxes. Apart from being produced in the body, lipids are an essential component of the human diet as it is needed for a number of purposes to maintain health >> Read More ...
Cholesterol is a waxy substance known as a sterol that is manufactured primarily by the liver or to a lesser extent by other cells in the body (endogenous cholesterol) and is also absorbed from food in the gut (exogenous cholesterol). Cholesterol does not contain fatty acids but since it is made from fatty acid molecules, >> Read More ...
The average male adult has just over 5 million red blood cells per cubic millimeter (microliter) while adult females have over 4.5 million red blood cells per microliter. This quantity of red blood cells may vary for a number of reasons – both physiological and pathological. While the body can cope with a slight >> Read More ...
Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are the most abundant cells in the bloodstream and contains hemoglobin, the compound that carries oxygen through the body. While hemoglobin can occur in a free state in some animals, in the human body it has to be contained within a cell – the red blood cell. Any disruption of the >> Read More ...
What is hypomagnesemia? Hypomagnesemia is the medical term for lower than normal magnesium levels in the blood. Although magnesium is so abundant in the body and very important for health, it is often not given as much attention as calcium and phosphate. However, magnesium is just as important as these minerals and is in >> Read More ...
What is hyperphosphatemia? Hyperphosphatemia is the term for elevated phosphates in the blood. Phosphates are the naturally occurring form of phosphorus and is necessary for many processes in the body. Most of the phosphates within the body are found in the bones and the concentration in the bloodstream is carefully >> Read More ...
What is a fat embolism? Fat embolism is where large globules of fat travel in the bloodstream. Since fat cannot dissolve in blood on its own, it remains in a solid form and there is a risk that it may block a smaller blood vessel. It is more likely to obstruct a blood vessel that is already narrowed (stenosis) with >> Read More ...
The body has several mechanisms to stop bleeding collectively known as hemostasis. This involves multiple phases, each with several processes which ultimately stops blood loss and allows the body the opportunity to repair the damaged blood vessel. In certain diseases, these mechanisms are compromised giving rise to some of >> Read More ...
