Malignant Hyperthermia and Discovering New Genetic Differences What is Malignant Hyperthermia? Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a reaction to specific anesthesia medicine used during surgical procedures. Those who have this condition experience high fevers and intense muscle spasms or tightness. Treatment for MH can include medications and ice packs Read more…
What is Hypertension? Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, happens when blood pushes too hard against the walls of blood vessels. This puts extra stress on organs like the heart and kidneys. Things like unhealthy eating, not exercising enough, and being overweight can cause high blood pressure. However, changing one’s Read more…
Genetics of Plasma Protein Levels What are Plasma Proteins? Plasma proteins are important parts of your blood. They have various jobs that help your body function properly. Some blood proteins help your blood to clot, preventing you from bleeding too much when you get a cut. Others help fight Read more…
Genetics of Acute Kidney Injury What is Acute Kidney Injury? Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious and dangerous disease that can cause problems with your kidneys, heart, and overall health. The worst kind of AKI can damage the inside of your kidneys and make them stop working properly. Read more…
Genetics of Diverticular Disease What is Diverticular Disease? Diverticular disease is a condition that affects the large intestine, a part of the digestive system. Sometimes the inside of the intestine wall can weaken. Pressure to these weak spots can cause small pouches or sacs to bulge from the intestine wall. Read more…
Stuttering is a speech disorder. People who stutter know what they want to say. They may get stuck on a word. They may repeat a word or sound. Being tired or excited can make you stutter. It can get worse when you are nervous. Stuttering is common as children learn Read more…
Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is when your kidneys start to slow down. In time, they won’t work at all. Your kidneys filter out small particles and extra fluids from your blood. You excrete them in your urine. In CKD, they build in up your body. In the early stages Read more…
Biomarker is short for biological marker. These are molecules in blood or urine. They are also in other body fluids or tissues. They can even be microbes. Microbes are living things. They are too small to see with our eyes. We need a microscope. Bacteria are the most common. But Read more…
A cyst is a small sac of fluid or air. They can be big or small. They can grow almost anywhere in your body. In almost any organ. Or under your skin. They are not cancer. But some can cause problems. They may grow in groups in your liver or Read more…
Chronic kidney disease, or CKD, is when your kidneys start to slow down. In time, they won’t work at all. Your kidneys filter out small particles and extra fluids from your blood. You excrete them in your urine. In CKD, they build in up your body. In the early stages Read more…