Blood donation is carried out when a person voluntarily agrees for blood to be drawn with the intention of donating it. The donated blood may be used for transfusions or it may be separated into individual components to be used as required. The latter procedure is called fractionation.
Blood donation may be of different kinds. In the developed countries unpaid donors give blood to replenish a community supply. In economically poorer countries, however, blood donation is carried out according to demand, as the established blood ties are extremely limited. It may be an altruistic act or it may include a cash payment or incentives other than money. A person can have blood drawn and stored for own future use. Read more…
What are blood clots?
Blood is a liquid that flows within blood vessels. It is constantly in motion as the heart pumps blood through arteries to the different organs and cells of the body. The blood is propelled back to the heart in the veins. When muscles contract, they squeeze the veins and allow the blood to be pushed back to the heart.
Blood clotting is an important mechanism to help the body repair injured blood vessels. Blood consists of: Read more…
A new blood test introduced in New Zealand could help predict the risk of miscarriage in women.
Australian fertility expert and deputy medical director of Repromed Adelaide, Dr Kelton Tremellen, says the first Australian research on Anti Mullerian Hormone (AMH) levels links a low level of this hormone with an increased risk of miscarriage.
“This link is especially apparent in young women aged under 35 years. An AMH test will give some women who have experienced recurrent miscarriage vital information on why this is occurring,” he says.
“It will also forewarn others that they may be more at risk of miscarriage, so their expectations can be managed, and they can exercise more caution.” Read more…
You can find out if you have high blood pressure by having your blood pressure checked regularly. Most doctors will diagnose a person with high blood pressure on the basis of two or more readings, taken on several occasions. A consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 mm Hg or higher is considered high blood pressure, another term for hypertension.
Some people experience high blood pressure only when they visit the doctor’s office. This condition is called “white-coat hypertension.” If your doctor suspects this, you may be asked to monitor your blood pressure at home or asked to wear a device called an ambulatory blood pressure monitor. This device is usually worn for 24 hours and can take blood pressure every 30 minutes. Read more…
A new drug derived from Magnolia tree appears to help better control the potentially dangerous complications of bleeding and clot formation during procedures to open blocked coronary arteries.
Results of the Phase II study of the drug, provisionally known as SCH 530348, by researchers at the Duke Clinical Research Institute in the US, appear in the March issue of The Lancet. An international Phase III study is now under way. Read more…
