White Blood Cell Count
What is a white blood cell (WBC) count? Healthy blood contains a certain percentage of white blood cells (WBCs, leukocytes, or leucocytes) which, as part of the body’s immune system, help the body fight infection.1 A white blood cell (WBC) count…
Depressive Episode
The definition of a depressive episode is a period of depression that persists for at least two weeks.1 During a depressive episode, a person will typically experience low or depressed mood and/or loss of interest in most activities, as well as many…
15 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Most foods are safe to eat during pregnancy. However, there are certain foods and food groups to avoid during pregnancy to prevent any harm to the mother or baby. There are also certain precautions to take while preparing food to ensure it is…
Hemoglobin levels
A person’s hemoglobin levels indicate how much hemoglobin is present in their blood. Hemoglobin, also written as hemoglobin, is a complex protein found in red blood cells which helps to circulate oxygen around the body and transport carbon dioxide from tissues…
Signs of Shingles: Herpes Zoster
Shingle is an infection that usually produces a painful skin rash, but the painful tingling sensations which characterize the condition can also occur when no rash is present. Shingles are caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV).1 VZV is the same virus…
Signs of Ear Infection
An ear infection is a viral or bacterial infection of the outer, inner, or middle ear. The condition is common, particularly in children, and is generally considered to be non-serious. An ear infection can cause painful inflammation, as well as a…
Chemotherapy Side-Effects
Chemotherapy – often abbreviated to chemo or CTX – is a cancer treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to fight the disease. Chemo is very common and is used to treat most types of cancer, both as a cure and as…
Keyhole Surgery
Keyhole surgery, or minimally invasive surgery, is a surgical method used to access the interior of the body through a small incision, removing the need for open surgery.12 Keyhole surgery is most commonly used to access the abdomen and the female pelvic…
Signs of Postpartum Depression
Also known as postnatal depression, postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that can occur with having a baby. PPD is much more severe than the mild “baby blues” that many new mothers experience for a few days or a couple…
Blood Test Results
A blood test – sometimes referred to as a blood panel – is a laboratory examination of a blood sample used to check for a variety of things, including the functioning of certain organs (such as the liver, kidneys, thyroid, and heart),…
Signs of Depression
The signs of depression are many and varied. Depression is much more than a feeling of sadness; it is a medical condition that may cause severe, prolonged symptoms and significantly disrupt a person’s daily functioning.[1] Depression is thought to be the most…
What does a psychologist really do?
A psychologist is someone who studies the mind and behavior. While people often think of talk therapy when they hear the word psychologist, this profession encompasses a wide range of specialty areas, including such things as animal research and organizational behavior. The…