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Introduction Systemic lupus erythematosus, OR SLE, is an autoimmune disorder that affects many parts of the body. An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the body creates antibodies against its own tissues. What is going on in the body? A person with SLE produces antibodies against many of his or her own tissues. This autoimmune reaction can damage many parts of the body. These include: brain and nervous system digestive system eyes heart joints and muscles kidney lung skin What are the causes and risks of the disease? The exact cause of systemic lupus erythematosus is unknown. It is believed to be an autoimmune disorder. SLE tends to run in families. New research findings suggest that autoimmune disorders may be triggered by a transfer of cells between the fetus and the mother during pregnancy. The study involved women with scleroderma, an autoimmune disorder involving the skin. These women have more fetal cells in their blood decades after a pregna...

 Introduction This is a test that measures the exact amount of the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), in the bloodstream. Who is a candidate for the test? HCG is a hormone that is produced by the placenta. It is detectable in the blood and urine within 10 days of fertilization. After the fertilized egg implants, or attaches, to the inside of the uterus or other structure inside the mother, the levels of HCG rise rapidly. The levels continue to increase throughout the first trimester of pregnancy and reach a peak 60 to 80 days after the fertilized egg implants. HCG is thought to be important in converting the normal corpus luteum into the corpus luteum of pregnancy. The corpus luteum is a hormone-secreting structure that grows on the surface of the ovary after ovulation takes place. In pregnancy, functions of the corpus luteum include: promoting the growth of the fetus through the 12th week of pregnancy. stimulating the development...

Introduction A molar pregnancy occurs when a fetus is not able to fully form in the uterus. Instead, the fetal tissue becomes a tumor. What is going on in the body? In the US, a molar pregnancy occurs in 1 out of every 2,000 pregnancies. In this condition, fetal cells have an abnormal genetic makeup and form a tumor. This tumor, or "mole," can grow and even spread to other parts of a mother's body. In some cases, the mole may turn into a more dangerous cancer called choriocarcinoma. What are the causes and risks of the condition? In this condition, abnormal fetal tissue inside a woman's uterus forms a tumor. The exact reason this occurs is not known. Common risk factors for this condition include: a recent full-term pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy a previous molar pregnancy being of Asian or Mexican descent being younger than 20 or older than 40 years of age being poor a diet that is low in protein, folate, or bet...

Introduction Toxic shock syndrome, or TSS, is a rare, potentially life-threatening disorder. It occurs when toxins made by certain types of bacteria are released into the bloodstream. What is going on in the body? Toxic shock syndrome was first described in children in 1978. Experts quickly realized it happened more often among women who used superabsorbent tampons during their periods. TSS is triggered by toxins made by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The toxins cause a high fever and can damage the kidneys, liver, and heart. Experts believe that tampons may block bacteria within the vagina. The moist, humid environment allows them to grow and produce high levels of toxins. Tampons can cause very small cuts in the vagina during insertion. These small cuts allow bacteria and their toxins to enter the bloodstream. About 70% of TSS cases have been related to certain brands of highly absorbent tampons that are no longer made. What are the causes and risks of the...

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells within the pancreas undergo changes that make the cells grow and divide uncontrollably. What is going on in the body? The pancreas is a gland located in the middle part of the upper abdomen. Insulin is produced by the pancreas to help the body regulate blood glucose. The pancreas also produces substances to help the body digest food. When a cell in the pancreas becomes cancerous, it grows into a tumor that destroys the tissue around it. A tumor in the pancreas tends to quickly invade the nearby liver. Eventually, the liver will be affected, and part of it will be destroyed. The cancer can also metastasize, or spread, through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. Pancreatic cancer is usually found late in the disease when it is most likely to be fatal. What are the causes and risks of the disease? Cigarette smoking significantly increases a person's risk for pancreatic cancer. It i...

Introduction Wilson's disease is an inherited inborn error of metabolism in which the body cannot process copper. What is going on in the body? Wilson's disease is caused by a defect in an enzyme, or special protein. This enzyme normally helps the body get rid of extra copper. The amount of copper in a normal diet is more than the body needs. In people with Wilson's disease, the extra copper cannot be excreted from the body. The copper can damage the liver, brain, kidney, cornea, and other organs. What are the causes and risks of the disease? Wilson's disease is an inherited disorder. The children of parents who carry the gene for the disorder are at risk. The liver disease usually starts between ages 8 and 12, while the brain symptoms occur later in life. What are the signs and symptoms of the disease? Wilson's disease may cause: anemia, or low red blood cell counts ataxia, or lack of coordination jaundice, or yellow eyes and skin kidn...

Introduction  Phenylketonuria, which is also called PKU, is an inherited condition in which the body cannot process a substance called phenylalanine. PKU is an inborn error of metabolism that can lead to severe communication\ \education, including reading, writing, and basic math\ \motor function\ \personal care, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and toileting\ \social skills\ \thinking skills, such as decision making, problem solving, and self-direction\ \working\ ',CAPTION,'Mental Retardation');" onmouseout="return nd();">mental retardation if it is not treated. What is going on in the body? Phenylketonuria is caused by an enzyme defect in the liver. Normally, the liver produces an enzyme that breaks down phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is a compound found in many foods. The liver of a person with phenylketonuria does not produce this enzyme. When this happens, phenylalanine and its by-products build up in the body. This leads to communication\ \ed...

Introduction Arterial blood gases, called ABGs, are a series of blood measurements that are ordered as a single test. This test is used mainly to check lung function and acid levels in the body. Who is a candidate for the test? Any time there is a question about breathing problems, oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, or acid levels in the body, this test can be helpful. Examples include: people with shortness of breath due to lung problems people with rapid breathing due to heart or blood conditions people who are unconscious people who are suspected of having too much or too little acid in the body, such as someone with kidney failure people on artificial breathing machines called ventilators. ABGs are done regularly to assure that the machines are set correctly. How is the test performed? A blood sample from an artery is needed to do this test. In most cases, an artery on the palm side of the wrist is used to get the blood. Sometimes, an artery in the groin or ...

Introduction  Down syndrome is the name for the pattern of physical features and disorders that usually occur from an extra 21st chromosome. Chromosomes are the materials that store people's genetic information. What is going on in the body? Because people who have Down syndrome have an extra chromosome, the body's natural balance is upset. This upset in balance leads to various birth defects and problems of growth and development. Many of the birth defects in people who have Down syndrome are like those seen in other children. People with Down syndrome simply are likely to have birth defects more often than others. What are the causes and risks of the condition? Down syndrome is usually caused by an extra 21st chromosome. Most people have 46 chromosomes in each cell of their bodies. These chromosomes exist in pairs, for a total of 23 pairs. The pair associated with Down syndrome is called pair 21. Why an extra copy of this chromosome causes the features o...

Introduction The PSA test is a blood test that is used to screen for the presence of prostate cancer. Prostate specific antigen is a protein found in the fluid portion of blood, called serum. PSA is specific to the prostate. No other human tissue or body part can make it. PSA levels can be measured in an individual's serum. With this information, doctors are able to screen for prostate cancer. PSA is only present in men. PSA is present in all normal prostate tissue. The normal prostate cell holds onto most of the PSA. Very little leaks into the bloodstream. The small amount that leaks out is what is measured by the blood test. Prostate cancer cells actually have less PSA in each cell. However, the cancer cell tends to leak more PSA into the bloodstream. Knowing this fact, experts developed a range of expected values in patients with a normal prostate gland. The PSA value should be less than 4.0. This number reflects the belief that most men, roughly 95%, ...

Introduction An immune assay is a special method of testing to measure or detect certain substances. This sophisticated test uses the properties of the immune or infection-fighting system. It is usually used when the amount of material to be detected is very small. It is most commonly performed on a sample of blood, though other body fluids may be used. Who is a candidate for the test? The immune assay has many uses, including: testing for infections, such as HIV, Borrelia burgdorferi.\ It is passed to humans through tick bites. ',CAPTION,'Lyme Disease');" onmouseout="return nd();">Lyme disease, or Chlamydia trachomatis\. Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. In women, the infection usually occurs in the urinary tract, pelvis, or cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. ',CAPTION,'Chlamydia Infection in Fema...

Introduction A bilirubin test measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the protein that binds oxygen in red blood cells. When hemoglobin breaks down, it produces bilirubin. The liver processes bilirubin. If liver cells are damaged, bilirubin can escape into the bloodstream. Indirect or unconjugated bilirubin tests measure the bilirubin that has just been made by the breakdown of hemoglobin in the body. Once bilirubin has been processed in the liver, it can be measured as direct or conjugated. Sometimes the total amount of bilirubin in the blood is measured. Who is a candidate for the test? The bilirubin test is often done when a doctor suspects liver or gallbladder disease. The person may have jaundice, which causes yellowed eyes and skin. A buildup of bilirubin causes jaundice. How is the test performed? To measure bilirubin levels, a lab technician takes a blood sample from a vein in the forearm or hand. First, he or she cleans the skin over ...

Introduction Ovarian cancer develops in a woman's ovary. In some cases, the cancer begins in the ovary. Other times, cancerous cells metastasize, or spread, to the ovary from another site in the body. What is going on in the body? The ovaries are inside the woman's pelvic area. From puberty to menopause, the ovaries produce female hormones. These hormones regulate the menstrual cycle, or menstruation. The ovary also contains eggs. The female hormones regulate the release of eggs during the cycle. When an ovarian cell becomes cancerous, it will begin multiplying rapidly. A growth, or tumor, on the ovary forms as the cells multiply. This growth may or may not interfere with the function of the ovary. Cancer cells can break off from the tumor and spread directly to other areas inside the pelvis. Cancer cells can also metastasize through the bloodstream to other areas of the body. What are the causes and risks of the disease? No one knows what causes ova...