Honest Information. Better Health.

Why Do I Have Chills?

A walk down a cold, windy street can send a shivery tingle up and down your body, but so can some health conditions, like the flu, kidney stones, o...

Thyroiditis

However, other symptoms will vary, depending on whether your thyroid is underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). Many things c...

What is Cortisol?

For instance, when your body is on high alert, cortisol can alter or shut down functions that get in the way. A nodule (mass) in your adrenal gland...

Stem Cells FAQ

The most basic kind of stem cells are the cells that make up an embryo soon after an egg is fertilized. Adult stem cells, in contrast, are 'fully d...

Organ Donation and Transplant

You might have wondered about donating an organ -- either to a friend or relative who needs an organ right now, or by filling out an organ donor ca...

MRI: what You Need to Know

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer to make detailed pictures of the inside of your ...

Wonders of Water

The IOM report did not specify requirements for water but made general fluid intake recommendations based on survey data of 91 ounces (that's 11-pl...

Creatinine Test

A creatinine test, also called a serum creatinine test, is a way for doctors to measure how well your kidneys are working. Your kidneys filter crea...

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test

If the CBC is the only blood test you’re having, you can eat and drink like you usually would. So the reference range will depend on the lab that h...

What is a Chloride Test?

It’s usually ordered with other blood tests when you are having your cholesterol, blood sugar, and other electrolytes such as sodium and potassium ...

What is a Blood Urea Nitrogen Test?

Your doctor may order a BUN test as part of a routine checkup. If you have a kidney condition, the test is a way to check what your BUN levels are ...

Blood Types

The combination of antigens and antibodies in your blood is the basis of your blood type. AB negative: This is the rarest blood type -- only 0.6% o...