Pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg (ovum) develops into a fetus inside a woman’s uterus. When counting from the first day of the last regular menstrual cycle, pregnancy lasts roughly 40 weeks. The body goes through amazing changes to prepare for birth by that time. Stages of Pregnancy Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters: Fetal … Read more
Preeclampsia is a serious complication that occurs during pregnancy, affecting 5-7% of pregnancies worldwide. It is characterized by new-onset high blood pressure (> 140/90 mmHg) and protein in the urine (proteinuria) after 20 weeks gestation. Research shows that preeclampsia may be caused by abnormalities in the development of the placenta, genetic or environmental factors, and … Read more
Hypotension is low blood pressure. Normal blood pressure (BP) for most adults is 120/80 mmHg. Blood pressure of less than 90/60 mmHg is considered hypotensive. Anything above 120/80 mmHg is considered elevated, and stage 1 hypertension is diagnosed at 130/80 mmHg. Hypotension is categorized according to the following: Poor cardiac output due to untreated hypotension … Read more
Hypoglycemia is low blood glucose. Patients who have diabetes may have episodes of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia due to the body’s inability to produce or regulate insulin. Hypoglycemia is most likely to occur in diabetic patients due to the misadministration of insulin. Hypoglycemia can also occur in patients who are not diabetic due to causes such … Read more
The first few months of life, known as the newborn phase, are vital for both the child’s physical adaptation to extrauterine life as the neonate begins to breathe, suckle, swallow, digest, and eliminate naturally. Throughout their first year, infants continue to mature quickly, learning new skills as they engage with their environment. Physical milestones include: … Read more
Overall health and well-being are greatly impacted by the communities in which patients live and work. Access to care is influenced by economic, social, and political issues. Depending on the needs of the individual and the population, it may be a major factor in determining physical, emotional, and mental health as well as morbidity and … Read more
Altered mental status (AMS) is a broad term used to represent a variety of diseases affecting mental functioning ranging from mild disorientation to coma. Fundamentally, a patient’s level of consciousness and cognition are combined to form their mental status. Patients may have abnormalities of either one or both of these components. The range of differential … Read more
Any bleeding that takes place in the gastrointestinal tract is referred to as gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine (colon), rectum, and anus are all parts of the GI tract. GI bleeding is not an illness in and of itself, but rather a sign of an underlying condition. Upper and lower … Read more
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common heart arrhythmias. It may be abbreviated as AFib or AF. AFib causes an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm. This can lead to abnormal blood flow and the development of clots. AFib increases the risk of events such as stroke, heart failure, and myocardial ischemia or heart … Read more