What Is the Anion Gap Blood Test?

What Does the Anion Gap Blood Test Measure? It can also detect alkalosis, which happens when your blood is not acidic enough. It is important to find the cause and treat it as soon as possible. Yoshiyoshi Hirokawa / DigitalVision / Getty Images Normal blood contains electrically charged particles. These charged particles contribute to a bloods pH. The anion gap blood test usually takes less than five minutes and doesn’t require any specific preparation....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 279 words · Chelsea Valdez

What Is the Average Age for Menopause to Start?

It naturally happens for many people when they are between the ages of 40 and 58. In the United States, the average age for menopause to start is 52 years. Before menopause, decliningestrogenlevels can cause people who menstruate to experience premenopausal symptoms. Verywell / Jessica Olah Verywell / Jessica Olah When Does Menopause Start? Here is what you might be able to expect at different ages and stages. In Your 30s Perimenopauseand menopause do not generally start when you are in your thirties....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 700 words · Joseph Hampton

What Is the Best Medication for Overactive Bladder?

The medications most commonly taken for OAB are prescription anticholinergics or beta-3 adrenergic agonists. Here’s what you gotta know about medication options to help control symptoms of OAB. Strategies with proven effectiveness include the following: Several types of medications may be prescribed for OAB management. Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images Anticholinergic Medications Anticholinergic medications help alleviate OAB symptoms by blocking nerve signals that trigger bladder contractions. These medicines can reduce symptoms of OAB by up to 70%....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 496 words · Deanna Rogers

What Is the Best Plantar Fasciitis Treatment?

The besttreatmentforplantar fasciitisdepends on the severity of your condition. Options can include home remedies, medications, physical therapy, and, less commonly, surgery. People using nonsurgical treatments typically experience pain resolution within three to six months of consistent treatment. mego.picturae / Getty Images However, the scientific evidence to support these treatment options is lacking, so proceed cautiously. Surgery People with severe plantar fasciitis who have not responded to other treatments may need surgery....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 217 words · Dr. Kelly Jones PhD

What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis in the Lower Back?

Arthritis is a chronic disease and there is no cure. The treatments typically focus on pain management and preventing further damage to the joints. Lower back arthritis causes back pain and stiffness, and in some cases, limited range of motion. 9nong / iStock / Getty Images This article discusses the treatment options to ease lower back pain. Different Types of Arthritis Spinal arthritis is not a single disease. Different types of arthritis may cause back pain and stiffness....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 427 words · Laura Taylor

What Is the Best Treatment for Melasma?

Thus, there’s no medical reason to treat it unless it bothers you. If you do choose to treat your melasma, it can be a slow and difficult process. Avoiding triggers is usually the best way to deal with the condition. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee Avoiding Triggers The best way to control melasma is to avoid the things that trigger it. This may mean wearing sunblock and/or discontinuing the use of certain medications or skincare products....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 835 words · Peggy Navarro

What Is the Best Type of Meditation for You?

Meditation, practiced for millennia in many cultures worldwide, offers many benefits for the mind and body. Each meditation technique offers a unique approach to supporting well-being. Others emphasize awareness of the present moment without judgment. Angelina Ishmukhametova / Getty Images People meditate for various reasons, including stress reduction, improved focus, enhanced self-awareness, and spiritual growth. Understanding the different types of meditation can help you find the practice that best suits your needs....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 621 words · Jason Reeves

What Is the Bishop Score?

Near the end of yourpregnancy, your healthcare provider might start referencing something called a Bishop score. This score is a system created to assess how your body is preparing forlaborand delivery. Your healthcare provider will assess the position of your baby and monitor changes in yourcervixto determine your score. Ariel Skelley / Getty Images The score may be used to indicate if a successful vaginal delivery is likely. The higher the score, the more likely you will have a successful induction....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 437 words · Donna Lee

What Is the Broad Autism Phenotype?

That means they are not significant enough to qualify for a diagnosis ofautism spectrum disorder. BAP, also called the broader autism phenotype,is controversial. Some autistic self-advocates and experts see it as either existing in conflict or in harmony with the neurodiversity model. Kinzie Riehm / Getty Images Kinzie Riehm / Getty Images This article explains the broad autism phenotype and the traits associated with it. It also discusses how BAP is identified and how it differs from autism....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 318 words · Mary Jones

What Is the BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) Test?

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is ablood testperformed as a marker of kidney function. It is part of the basic or comprehensive metabolic panel done for health screening. It is also used to monitor the progression of kidney failure. vitapix / Getty Images BUN is produced by the breakdown of protein and usually cleared from the blood by the kidneys. A higher than normal value may show impaired kidney function. What Is Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 274 words · Robin Copeland

What Is the C3 Complement Test?

The test measures the amount of a protein called C3 that enhances the action ofantibodiesand other disease-fighting immune cells. C3 is part of the complementary immune system. The test can also assess whether a treatment for an autoimmune disorder is working. Oleksandr Boliukh / iStock / Getty Images This article explains the purpose of a C3 complement test and why your healthcare provider may order one. They may also rise if you are responding to autoimmune therapies....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 409 words · Mary Pena

What Is the Cancer Antigen 15-3 Blood Test?

The cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) biomarker test is used to monitorbreast cancerand its response to treatment. Purpose CA 15-3 is an antigen that’s normally found in breast tissue. Antigens are proteins that identify a cell, acting as its “signature.” Verywell / Theresa Chiechi While the CA 15-3 antigen does not cause cancer, the level can increase as cancer cells multiply. The number of CA 15-3 antigens will increase with a tumor’s growth....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 862 words · Kimberly Nelson

What Is the Cancer Antigen 27.29 Test?

One of these tests is the cancer antigen 27.29 (CA 27.29) blood test. This is used to check for an antigen associated withbreast cancer. An antigen is a protein on the surface of a cell that serves as an identifier. Theresa Chiechi / Verywell And CA 27.29 is one of several antigens that healthcare providers use as tumor markers for breast cancer. A higher antigen level corresponds to recurrence, and a lower antigen level corresponds to treatment response....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 685 words · Wanda Bowman