SecondMedic Healthcare Blog

People who have   fatty liver   often experience nausea, vomiting, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, and tiredness. Some can lose a significant amount of weight because they consume a diet that is high in fat and low in other nutrients. Fatty liver occurs when excess fat accumulates within the hepatocytes or cells that make up the greatest portion of the liver's mass. This accumulation triggers inflammation within the tissue which will eventually lead to fibrosis (scarring) and cirrhosis (degeneration). It is known that obesity and visceral fat deposits increase the risk of fatty liver. Some people find out they have it after years of suffering with unexplained itchiness, loss of appetite, nausea, swelling in their abdomen; others learn about it because they happened to be screened for another medical problem. Typically, obese people are at the highest risk for developing this condition. Obesity does not cause fatty liver, but it can very often be diagnosed as a consequenc...

  The virus is the most common cause, but auto-immune hepatitis can also occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys its own kidney cells. The virus is the most common cause, but auto-immune   hepatitis  can also occur when the body's immune system attacks and destroys its own kidney cells. Hepatitis is primarily caused by a virus, but there are many other possibilities. A viral infection is the primary cause of hepatitis. And various types of viruses can lead to hepatitis-- some fairly benign, some very serious—such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The main cause of  hepatitis  is the Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can also cause acute hepatitis, but they are responsible for the majority of chronic cases. Chronic hepatic problems may result in the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer , which can be ultimately fatal. It's also possible for an individual to experience co-infecti...

CBC stands for a   complete blood count .   This test is ordered together with, or in lieu of, other tests to find out certain facts about your blood that you can't observe just by looking at the rest of the machine's readout, such as whether you have any abnormally high levels of red and white cells; if there are too many platelets (blood-clotting cells) or too few; what your hematocrit reading reveals (the percentage of circulating red blood cells); or if there are any abnormalities in how your hemoglobin is doing. A CBC blood test measures a patient's hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count. The "CBC" stands for "Complete Blood Count." A CBC test typically catches dangerous aspects of one's health before they could reach a crisis point because there are telltale green flags that show up on the blood screening. Understanding these green flags is imperative for those who suffer from chronic anemia or those who have been exposed to potentia...

  Thyroid disease is a condition that affects the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck. There are a number of causes for  thyroid disease ,  including autoimmune diseases, radiation exposure, and iodine deficiency. Some risk factors include having a family history of thyroid disease, being female (thyroid disease is more common in women), and being over the age of 60. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of thyroid disease but may include weight gain or loss, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, and muscle weakness. Thyroid Function Test  can be tested through a blood test that measures levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). If TSH levels are high it suggests that the thyroid is not working properly and further testing may be necessary to diagnose the specific type of thyroid disease. Thyroid disease is a condition that affects the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones that help contr...

A liver function test is a blood test that measures the levels of various enzymes and proteins in your blood.   What is a   liver function test? A liver function test is a blood test that measures the levels of various enzymes and proteins in your blood. These substances are produced by the liver, and they can be a sign of liver damage or disease. There are a number of different liver function tests (LFTs) that can be used to assess the health of your liver. The most common ones are Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and Alanine Transaminase (ALT). Bilirubin is a pigment that is produced when the liver breaks down red blood cells. Elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood can be a sign of liver damage or disease. ALP is an enzyme that is produced in the liver. High levels of ALP in the blood can indicate liver damage or disease. There are a few different types of  liver function tests , but they all basically measure the same thing: h...

  An irregular heartbeat, also called arrhythmia, means that your heart is beating too fast, too slow, or in an abnormal rhythm. There are many things that can cause  irregular heartbeats , but the most common cause is an electrical problem with the heart. The heart is a muscle that pumps blood through the body, and it contracts and relaxes to do this. The contractions are controlled by electrical signals that tell the heart when to pump. Sometimes, these electrical signals can get out of rhythm, causing your heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. There are many different types of electrical problems that can cause irregular heartbeats. The most common type is called atrial fibrillation, which means that the electric signals in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) are not working properly. There are many possible causes of  irregular heartbeats , and it's important to see a doctor get a proper diagnosis. Most often, irregular heartbeats are caused by ar...