How to prevent STDs In this article we will describe 5 ways to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Let’s start with the basics. Vaccinations can prevent STDs (see below) What is a STD? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections usually acquired though unprotected sexual contact with someone who’s infected. But, you cannot always tell if […]
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10 Essential Facts About Fever: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Fever is a common health concern, often signalling an underlying condition. Understanding what causes it, how it affects the body, and when to seek medical attention can help you manage it effectively. Here are 10 key facts about fever in adults. 1. What is a Fever? […]
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A normal full blood count (FBC) A full blood count has three main components: Haemoglobin (‘Hb’) 130-170 g/L for men 110-150 g/L for women White cell count (WC) = 4-11 x10^9/L (million per litre) Platelet count = 150-400 x10^9/L (million per litre). Here is more information on these three components. 1. Haemoglobin (‘Hb’) For adults, normal […]
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Kidney blood tests – what’s normal and abnormal? Keep track of your kidney data with PKB Kidney doctors love blood tests. Full stop. Why? It is because it is impossible for them to judge the function of the kidneys solely by asking you questions (doctors call this the ‘history’) and physical examination. So, what is […]
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How is CKD defined? Keep track of your kidney data with PKB It is surprisingly difficult to answer. This is partly because chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not a diagnosis. It is a syndrome (group of diseases) with many specific causes (diagnoses). Nonetheless .. here goes. Key points Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is defined as […]
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Mild underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism): who should be treated? Normal thyroid blood tests TSH: 0.5 – 5.0 mU/L. This is the most important test Free thyroxine (T4): 8.0 – 18.0 pmol/L. How is an underactive thyroid gland diagnosed? A high TSH and low thyroxine (T4) indicates an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) – and requires treatment with thyroxine […]
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What is normal saline – and how is it used? Normal saline, also known as isotonic saline or 0.9% saline, is a solution of salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) in water. It has a concentration of 9 grams of sodium chloride per litre of water, which is roughly equivalent to the concentration of sodium chloride in […]
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A normal TSH level Normal TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) blood level A normal TSH is 0.5 – 5.0 mU/L. TSH is the most important thyroid test. But it has to be interpreted with other thyroid tests including thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroid antibodies. Explanation High or low TSH levels can indicate a thyroid problem What […]
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Is normal saline the same as sodium chloride? A bag of normal saline, used as an IV fluid No, ‘normal saline’ is not exactly the same as ‘sodium chloride’. Whilst sodium chloride is the chemical compound that is salt, ‘normal saline’ refers to a solution where a specific concentration (usually 0.9%) of sodium chloride is […]
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What causes high blood pressure? For most people, the cause is unknown. In this article we will describe what causes of high blood pressure – and how to investigate a patient with high blood pressure. Primary (essential) high blood pressure (hypertension) Accounts for about 90% of cases. And there is no identifiable cause. It is […]
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