What Is a Normal Fetal Heart Rate During Pregnancy?

A normal heart rate for a fetus can range from 110 to 160 beats per minute (BPM). Very early in pregnancy, it is typically around 110 BPM. Fetal heart rate can provide lots of information about your babys health during pregnancy. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health Healthcare providers usually start checking it at the 10- or 12-week prenatal visit. From there, providers generally do so during each prenatal appointment and while monitoring labor....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 529 words · Brian Campbell

What Is a Normal Sinus Rhythm?

Normal sinus rhythm (NSR) is another name for a normalheart rhythm. This article explains how the sinus rhythm regulates heartbeats. It also discusses how different arrhythmias occur, including their various causes and symptoms. Ed Reschke / Getty Images Sinus Rhythm vs. Heart Rate Sinus rhythm is the pattern of your heartbeat. Heart rate is the number of times the heart beats per minute. A normal sinus rhythm is associated with a heart rate between 60 and 100 beats per minute....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 344 words · Dominique Wilson

What Is a Normal Triglyceride Level?

The normal range for triglycerides is less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) for adults. High triglycerides increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and pancreatitis. Treatment for high triglycerides may include lifestyle changes and medications to lower triglyceride levels. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health This article discusses what triglycerides are and what is considered normal levels. It also addresses the health risks of high triglycerides and ways to lower triglyceride levels....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 542 words · Mark Spence

What Is a Nuchal Translucency Screening?

This test differs from a routine ultrasound and is not offered at every healthcare facility. Rather, it generally must be scheduled at a university medical center or another specialized facility. Ultrasound Preparation Before the ultrasound, its usually advised for the mother to have a full bladder. Michael Bradley / Getty Images A numeric risk (including the probability factor) will be assigned. If the numeric probably is one in 230 or higher, its considered a positive screen....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 202 words · Thomas Vasquez

What Is a Nymphomaniac?

Nymphomaniac is the counterpart to the also-outdated term satyromaniac, which essentially meant hypersexuality in assigned males. This article discusses the meaning of nymphomania, as it was defined, and how hypersexuality is understood today. It also covers the characteristics of such behavior, what causes it, and how it can be treated. Cavan Images / Getty Images Cavan Images / Getty Images Terminology Nymphomania is a term that dates back to the 19th century....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 258 words · Shawn Brown

What Is a Pancoast Tumor?

They often invade nerves and other structures nearby, sometimes spreading to the brain. Pancoast tumor symptoms include arm and shoulder pain, and tingling and weakness in the hands. This article discusses pancoast tumors, their causes, and how they are diagnosed and treated. Types of Pancoast Tumors Most pancoast tumors are a form ofnon-small cell lung cancer. The most common types are: Only about 5% of Pancoast tumors arise from small cell lung cancer....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 532 words · George Juarez

What Is a Parathyroid Hormone Blood Test?

A parathyroid hormone blood test measures the amount of parathyroid hormone in your blood. This is important for assessing multiple medical conditions, including problems with calcium in the body. What Is PTH? asiseeit / E+ / Getty Images Parathyroid hormone (abbreviated PTH) is asignaling moleculesecreted from the parathyroid glands. These are usually four small glands found near the thyroid gland inside the neck. PTH plays a critical role in the regulation ofcalciumin the body....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 940 words · Destiny Stevens

What Is a Pathologic Fracture?

A pathologicfractureoccurs when a bone breaks in an area that was already weakened by another disease. When the bone is weakened by some underlying medical condition, the individual becomes more susceptible to fracture. Causes of weakened bone include tumors, infection, and certain inherited bone disorders. paolomartinezphotography / Getty Images Or, when the bone is severely weakened, a fracture can occur with no obvious event taking place. Simply walking or getting up from a chair can lead to fracture when the bone is severely weakened....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 206 words · Sydney Williams

What Is a Patulous Eustachian Tube?

Though rare, it is not a serious medical condition. The tubes briefly open once or twice an hour to equalize pressure and drain fluid. With PET, the tube malfunctions and stays open even when it doesn’t need to. Alan Gesek / Stocktrek Images / Getty Images This article discusses patulous eustachian tube. It explains the symptoms and causes of this eustachian tube dysfunction. It also explores treatments for PET and how drinking enough water may relieve symptoms....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 255 words · Christopher Banks

What Is a Pelvic Exam?

A pelvic exam is an examination of the internal pelvic organs and external genitalia. This includes the vagina, vulva, uterus, cervix, rectum, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. They also examine the external area around your vagina and use gloved fingers to feel your uterus and ovaries. Illustration by Emily Roberts, Verywell Any abnormal findings may prompt the need for further evaluation and testing. When Are Pelvic Exams Needed? A pelvic exam often takes place as part of your preventive care during a routine checkup....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 645 words · Andrea Thompson

What Is a Pescatarian Diet, and Is It Healthy?

Apescatariandiet is essentially a vegetarian diet that includes fish and seafood. The term pescatarian is a blend of pesce (the Italian word for fish) and vegetarian. It is also sometimes referred to as pesco-vegetarian. Getty Images / miodrag ignjatovic This article reviews the pescatarian diet, its health benefits and limitations, and what pescatarians can eat. Admittedly, not all vegetarian diets equate to healthy eating patterns. These food categories are a staple for most eating patterns experts recommend for general health and disease prevention....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 562 words · Travis Reyes

What Is a PICC Line?

After insertion, the catheter is threaded to a central vein near the heart. The PICC line can be used to deliver fluids and medications, draw blood, or performblood transfusions. Having a PICC line reduces the need for repeated needle sticks. Jodi Jacobson / Getty Images This article explains when a PICC line is used and the process by which it is inserted and removed. What Is a PICC Line Used For?...

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 554 words · Travis Morris

What Is a Plexus?

A bundle of intersecting nerves is one pop in of plexus A plexus is a bundle of intersectingnerves. The term is also used to describe similar groups of blood vessels orlymphatic vesselsin the body. Nerve plexuses originate from the same anatomical area and serve specific areas of the body. MedicaRF / Getty Images They also send messages from the brain to the muscles, allowing for movement to occur. This article specifically focuses on the locations of plexus nerves and their specific functions....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 582 words · Luis Wilson