Biomarker is short for biological marker. These are molecules in blood, urine or other body fluids or tissues. We can measure how much is present. The amount of a biomarker can tell us if someone is healthy or sick. Sometimes, it is hard to measure the one we want. So, Read more…
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder. It is when you stop breathing for a few seconds. And then start again. This can happen over and over. It can be serious. Signs include loud snoring. Gasping for air while you sleep. Waking up a lot at night. Or waking up with Read more…
Did you know we recycle our bones? We have one group of proteins that break down bone tissue. And one group that makes bone. We try to keep a balance. But, sometimes, we break down more bone than we make. Over time, this can cause diseases. Like osteoporosis. Or rheumatoid Read more…
We have 5 organs that have to work for us to live. They are our brain, which is our “control center.” Our heart, which pumps our blood. Our lungs, which help us take in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Our kidneys, which filter out waste products and extra fluid Read more…
Anemia is when you do not have enough iron in your blood. Iron helps carry oxygen in red blood cells. We have simple lab tests to check how much iron is in our blood. Signs of anemia are shortness of breath. Feeling tired. Headache. Or feeling dizzy or fainting. It Read more…
Certain groups are more likely to get some diseases than other groups. We all have gene changes we get from our parents. Some we can trace back for generations. They are common in many people of the same race. Some gene changes are good. Some of them can make us Read more…
If you or anyone you know are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Or, contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. If you are in danger of acting on suicidal thoughts or are in any other life-threatening crisis, please call emergency Read more…
Most diseases are complex. Diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease are examples. These diseases can also lead to other problems. For instance, high blood pressure that is not kept under control can cause kidney disease, stroke, or a heart attack. Many small things add up to cause these diseases. Read more…
We get gene changes we get from our parents. Most of them do not cause any problems. But some might cause a disease. Others may only cause a tiny change. Some diseases are simple. One gene change can cause the disease. Sickle cell is an example. But other diseases are Read more…
Human DNA comes in the form of 23 pairs of chromosomes. We get one set from our mom. The other from dad. Our children will get one set of their DNA from us. But before we package it into eggs or sperm, it gets mixed together. To see how this Read more…