There are several micronutrients which are required in small amounts to sustain life. These include a host of vitamins and minerals, each of which play important roles in various biochemical processes. One of these substances is vitamin K. A deficiency or total lack of vitamin K can have a number of effects on the human >> Read More ...
The body has several mechanisms to control the internal temperature. Heat is generated by the body’s cells as part of its metabolic activity. At the same time heat is lost through the surface of the skin into the environment. The heat will dissipate faster if the body is unclothed or when the environment is cold and >> Read More ...
Red blood cells (RBCs) or erythrocytes are small round cells that circulate in the blood stream and carry oxygen throughout the body. These cells measure about 6 to 8 micrometers (um) in diameter which is equivalent to 0.006 to 0.008 millimeters – too small to be seen by the naked eye. The cells are disc shaped with >> Read More ...
The red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes) are important carriers of gas in the blood ensuring that oxygen reaches all tissues. These cells are constantly being produced and destroyed in the body. The balance ensures that there is a sufficient quantity of RBCs in the blood. The normal lifespan of a red blood cell is about >> Read More ...
The basic aim of treatment of an injured nerve is to restore its function to the best extent possible. In patients whom it is not practically possible, the treatment is aimed at improving the quality of life to the maximum that can be attained. This also requires proper management of the injuries sustained by other tissues >> Read More ...
Injury to a nerve may arise due to a number of causes. In most acute peripheral nerve injuries, the nerve may be crushed, stretched or severed (cut). Sometimes nerve injury arises secondary to some other pathology related to trauma like compression with swelling of a neighboring organ or structure. Once injured, the nerve >> Read More ...
What is Premature Birth? The duration of most pregnancies is usually about 40 weeks but it is quite normal for a baby to be born a week or two earlier. However, when a baby is born before 37 weeks of gestation, it is said to be a premature birth and such babies are known as premature babies or preemies. Prematurity is a >> Read More ...
Acute nerve injuries are very common and may be associated with different types of trauma. Injury to the peripheral nerve (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord) may result from blunt force, fractures, crush injuries, stretch, penetrating or cut injuries. The nerves of the upper limb are the most commonly injured. >> Read More ...
Hemostasis is the mechanism to prevent blood loss. It is a fast acting system that has multiple steps to reduce blood loss, temporarily and then permanently plug the leak until the integrity of the blood vessel is restored. There are four main phases to hemostasis with the blood coagulation phase following vascular >> Read More ...
Blood is contained within the cardiovascular system – the heart and blood vessels – with additional amounts stored in the liver and spleen. The quantity of blood in the human body is approximately 5.5 liters. When bleeding, up to 20% of this total blood volume can be lost without a person being at risk provided >> Read More ...
