A few major arteries supply blood to the brain. These include the cerebral arteries in the brain. They get blood from the carotid and vertebral arteries on each side of the head and neck. These arteries get blood from the aorta, the large blood vessel at the top of the heart.
Arteries and veins carry blood to and from the penis. These blood vessels play an important role in erections. During an erection, the arteries expand to increase blood flow to the penis. The blood fills two tubes of spongy tissue in the penis (corpus cavernosa). This causes them to swell, making the penis larger and...
Blood thinners are medicines that prevent blood clots. They do not actually thin the blood but increase the time it takes to form a blood clot. They also help prevent existing blood clots from becoming larger. They may be used to prevent or to treat certain blood vessel, heart, or lung conditions. The term "blood...
Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent blood clots. Because they prevent clots, they also help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other problems caused by blood clots. But blood thinners can also raise the risk of serious bleeding. So it's important to know how to take them safely.
A blood thinner can increase your risk of bleeding problems. If you take a blood thinner, watch for signs of abnormal bleeding. If you are injured, apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Realize that it will take longer than you are used to for the bleeding to stop. If you can't get the bleeding to stop, call your doctor...
Explains what a blood transfusion is, why and how it's done, and possible risks. Outline the different blood types.
Learn all about a blood transfusion, including what it is, how it's done, and what to watch for after a transfusion.
Blood transfusion is a medical treatment to replace blood or portions of the blood lost through injury, surgery, or disease. During a transfusion, people normally receive only the parts of blood needed to treat their conditions. Whole blood is now rarely given as a transfusion. Blood for transfusions may come from...
During a blood transfusion, a person (the recipient) receives healthy blood from another person (the donor). The donated blood is carefully screened for diseases before it is used. Before receiving a blood transfusion, the recipient's blood is analyzed closely (using blood type) to make sure the donor blood is a close...
Guides through decision to bank blood before having surgery. Explains how banking blood before surgery can protect from a bad reaction to a blood transfusion. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.
Human blood is typed according to whether certain markers, called antigens, are present on the surface of red blood cells. The ABO system classifies blood as type A, B, AB, or O based on the presence or absence of the A and B antigens; the Rh system classifies blood as negative or positive based on the presence or...
Blood type tests are done before a person gets a blood transfusion and to check a pregnant woman's blood type. Human blood is typed by certain markers (called antigens) on the surface of red blood cells. Blood type tests may also be done to see if two people are likely to be blood relatives. The most important antigens...
A blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste product urea. Urea is formed when protein is broken down in your body. It is made in the liver and removed from your body in urine. A BUN test is done to tell how well your kidneys are working. If your kidneys are...
Discusses blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test. Covers why and how it is done. Includes how to prepare for the test. Covers risks. Explains results of the test. Covers what affects results.
Botanical names: Sanguinaria canadensis How It Works Alkaloids—principally sanguinarine—constitute the primary active compounds in bloodroot. These are sometimes used in toothpaste and other oral hygiene products because they inhibit the growth of oral bacteria. 2, 3 Not all trials have found sanguinaria-containing...
Bloody show is blood-tinged mucus that some women notice as labor begins. When the cervix thins (effaces) and opens (dilates) during early labor, the mucus plug that has been in the cervix will loosen and pass out of the vagina, along with a small amount of blood.
Botanical names: Caulophyllum thalictroides How It Works A saponin from blue cohosh called caulosaponin is believed to stimulate uterine contractions. 2 Several other alkaloids may be active in this herb. However, current research about the active constituents of blue cohosh is insufficient. How to Use It Blue cohosh is...
Blue cohosh is a plant also known as Actée à Grappes Bleu, Blue Ginseng, Caulophylle, Caulophyllum, Cohosh Azul, Cohosh Bleu, Graines à Chapelet, Léontice Faux-Pigamon, Papoose Root, Squaw Root, or Yellow Ginseng. Blue cohosh has been used in alternative medicine as an aid in stimulating the uterus in pregnant women to...
Botanical names: Iris versicolor How It Works The resinous fraction of blue flag contains numerous phenolic glycosides. Traditional herbal texts suggest these constituents stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to production of bile, saliva, and sweat. 3 However, modern clinical trials have not confirmed...
How to Use It Blue-green algae can be taken as a powder or as flakes, capsules, or tablets. The typical manufacturer’s recommended intake is 2,000–3,000 mg per day divided throughout the day. However, typical amounts shown to have helpful properties in animal studies would be equivalent to 34 grams per day or more, for...
Blue-Green Algae (Spirulina) How Much Is Usually Taken by Dieters? Blue-green algae is a rich source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. In one double-blind trial, overweight people who took 2.8 grams of blue-green algae as spirulina three times per day for four weeks experienced only small and...
Botanical names: Vaccinium pallidum How It Works Tannins make up as much as 10% of blueberry leaves. The astringent nature of tannins likely accounts for the usefulness of blueberry leaf in treating diarrhea. 2 The astringent effect may also be soothing for sore throats. 3 Bilberry, blueberry’s European cousin, is used...
Learn how a high BMI and waist size affect your health.
Board-certified specialists are doctors who have advanced education, clinical training, and certification in a specific field. A subspecialist is a doctor who is trained or certified as a specialist and then receives additional training in a specific area (subspecialty). A doctor becomes board-certified by completing...
During his career, Bob couldn't find time for exercise. He worked hard and traveled a lot for his job. Fast-food meals were a way of life on the road, and he was overweight. At age 59, he had a heart attack. Then, 5 years later, he had quadruple bypass surgery. A few years after the surgery, he found out he had...
Provides a summary of interactions with vitamins, herbs, and food
Diabetes can affect many areas in the body. The eyes, arteries, kidneys, nervous system and blood vessels can all be affected.
Circadian rhythms are the 24-hour cycles of physical and mental changes that are driven by your body's "biological clock." They are influenced both by things inside your body and by things in your environment, especially light. Your circadian rhythms affect your sleep-wake cycle, your body temperature, and other...
Body fat distribution varies. Some people may be apple-shaped and carry most of their excess body fat around the stomach. Other people may be pear-shaped and carry most of their excess body fat around the hips, buttocks, and thighs. You can check to see if you are apple- or pear-shaped by dividing your waist measurement...
Body fat testing checks how much body fat you have. It may be done to find out if you have too much or too little body fat. The test is one of the ways to measure healthy weight. People who are trying to become more fit and lose weight sometimes use the test to check for changes in their body fat levels.
