All posts tagged: blood

I Almost Died Giving Birth But My Husband Wouldn’t Drive Me To The Hospital — “Too Much Blood”

I Almost Died Giving Birth But My Husband Wouldn’t Drive Me To The Hospital — “Too Much Blood”

Published by skeptic

The paramedics arrived relatively quickly. Once in the ambulance, they started two IVs, one in each arm, and inclined the stretcher 60 degrees with my feet in the air. They were trying to control the bleeding. My blood pressure was 75/42. EMS called the hospital to give them an update. When we arrived, the labor/delivery nurses and doctors were waiting at the door. They handed me papers to sign, authorizing treatment and a C-section if necessary. They got me into a room and checked my cervix. I was 9 centimeters dilated and almost ready to push. They estimated that I lost over 1,000cc of blood. The doctor ordered an ultrasound and discovered I had a placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth. Placental abruption can deprive the baby of oxygen and nutrients and cause heavy bleeding in the mother. In some cases, early delivery is needed. During the ultrasound, Dr. Brown saw Olivia’s heart beating, and she did not appear distressed. He gave me two …

“Blood is on your hands, Biden”: Macklemore drops pro-Palestine protest song

“Blood is on your hands, Biden”: Macklemore drops pro-Palestine protest song

Published by skeptic

Macklemore does not back down in his new pro-Palestine protest song “Hind’s Hall,” joining the legion of musicians, especially rappers, who use their lyricism for progressive activism. The Seattle rapper dropped the song Monday evening on social media in response to the ongoing war in Gaza as the death toll skyrockets and Israel escalates an invasion in Rafah. The song also uplifts protests across the country at various college campuses, including Columbia University. At the center of the song is Hind’s Hall, a new name that protesters at Columbia gave to an occupied Hamilton Hall last month. They renamed the hall in remembrance of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old killed by the Israeli military in February.  The rapper addresses that there is nothing wrong with the student protests, “It’s what they’re protesting/It goes against what our country is funding/Block the barricade until Palestine is free.” The multi-Grammy-winning artist also called out President Joe Biden for enabling the war, “The blood is on your hands, Biden, we can see it all/And f**k no, I’m not voting for you in the fall.” Macklemore …

Infected blood scandal: Bereaved families say loved ones who died after being contaminated were being ‘used for research’ | UK News

Infected blood scandal: Bereaved families say loved ones who died after being contaminated were being ‘used for research’ | UK News

Published by Sam

Bereaved families who lost loved ones in the contaminated blood scandal say they have seen evidence that proves their relatives were being “used for research” without their knowledge and despite clinicians knowing the risks. Historic notes in medical records found by campaigners are said to show that some patients being treated for the blood clotting disorder haemophilia in the 1970s and 1980s were given blood plasma treatment which doctors knew might be contaminated and infect them with hepatitis. Clinicians involved in the treatment have maintained they wanted to study the links between the haemophilia treatment Factor VIII and the risk of infection. Jason Evans, director of the campaign group Factor 8, believes that instead of stopping treatment, clinicians lobbied to continue trials, even after identifying the association between hepatitis and the treatment. He has found notes alluding to the research in his own father’s medical records. Read more:Infected blood compensation scheme ‘to be extended’Campaigners concerned govt may seek to delay paying compensation Mr Evans, whose father died in 1993 after being infected with both HIV …

Blood type is connected to your risk of having an early stroke, study finds

Blood type is connected to your risk of having an early stroke, study finds

Published by skeptic

Research suggests a potential link between a person’s blood type and their risk of experiencing an early stroke. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) Published in the journal Neurology, the analysis focused on genetic studies pertaining to ischemic strokes, which occur due to a blockage of blood flow to the brain and typically affect individuals under the age of 60. Dr. Steven J. Kittner, a Professor of Neurology at UMSOM and co-principal investigator of the study, highlighted the increasing prevalence of early strokes and their significant impact on mortality and quality of life. He emphasized the scarcity of research into the causes of these events. The study, encompassing data from 48 genetic studies involving 17,000 stroke patients and nearly 600,000 healthy controls, aimed to identify genetic variants associated with stroke risk. Researchers observed a correlation between early-onset stroke (before age 60) and a specific region on the chromosome containing the gene responsible for determining blood type (A, AB, B, or O). Analysis revealed that individuals with blood type A exhibited a higher likelihood of early stroke, while those …

Eating dark chocolate could reduce your blood pressure, study finds

Eating dark chocolate could reduce your blood pressure, study finds

Published by skeptic

Study investigates the potential of dark chocolate in lowering the risk of essential hypertension, shedding light on its promising health benefits. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) High blood pressure, or hypertension, poses significant risks to cardiovascular health. While lifestyle changes and medications are commonly used to manage it, researchers are continually seeking novel approaches to prevention. A recent study published in Nature Scientific Reports investigates the potential of dark chocolate in lowering the risk of essential hypertension, shedding light on its promising health benefits. Essential hypertension, characterized by elevated blood pressure without an apparent cause, is a prevalent condition globally. Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, a board certified cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, underscores its significance, stating, “Essential hypertension stands out as the predominant contributor to cardiovascular diseases.” Lifestyle modifications, including diet, play a crucial role in hypertension prevention, prompting researchers to explore the potential of specific foods. Dark chocolate, containing high cocoa solids, emerges as a subject of interest due to its rich flavanols content. Karen Z. Berg, a …

Revealed: key files shredded as UK government panic grew over infected blood deaths lawsuit | Contaminated blood scandal

Revealed: key files shredded as UK government panic grew over infected blood deaths lawsuit | Contaminated blood scandal

Published by skeptic

Disastrous failures that caused the contaminated blood scandal were denied by ministers for decades after officials destroyed, lost and blocked access to key documents, memos submitted to the official inquiry reveal. Several batches of files involving the work of a blood safety advisory committee were shredded as the government faced the threat of legal action, documents show. Patients who were given contaminated blood when they were children have also told the infected blood inquiry how their hospital medical files were destroyed or initially withheld. About 3,000 people died from contaminated blood from commercial concentrated products for haemophiliacs and blood transfusions. Dame Diana Johnson, the Labour MP who has campaigned for proper compensation and justice for the victims, said ministers were able to resist calls for a public inquiry because documents had not been disclosed exposing the failures. She said: “Successive governments took the line up until 2017 that there was no reason for a public inquiry and everything was done properly.” Campaigners, including many who are infected and affected by contaminated blood, in Westminster in …

Scientists developing universal donor blood to address global blood shortages

Scientists developing universal donor blood to address global blood shortages

Published by skeptic

Researchers have uncovered enzymes capable of stripping specific sugars from red blood cells, a crucial step towards the creation of universal donor blood. (CREDIT: Creative Commons) In a groundbreaking development, researchers from DTU and Lund University have uncovered enzymes capable of stripping specific sugars from red blood cells, a crucial step towards the creation of universal donor blood. The discovery, detailed in the esteemed scientific journal Nature Microbiology, marks a significant leap forward in transfusion medicine. Professor Maher Abou Hachem, leading the study at DTU, highlights the novelty of their findings: “For the first time, the new enzyme cocktails not only remove the well-described A and B antigens, but also extended variants previously not recognized as problematic for transfusion safety.” This breakthrough, achieved through a collaboration between DTU’s expertise in gut microbiota enzymes and Lund University’s proficiency in blood group research, holds promise for revolutionizing blood transfusion practices. The urgency for such advancements stems from the soaring demand for donor blood, driven by an aging population and an increase in blood-intensive medical procedures. Why Universal …

Scientists Intrigued by Bacteria That Turns Any Blood Into Universal Donor Type

Scientists Intrigued by Bacteria That Turns Any Blood Into Universal Donor Type

Published by skeptic

A team of researchers claims to have found a common bacteria that can easily manipulate the enzymes present in blood supplies to turn it into a universal donor type. Such a process, if scaled up for clinical use, could have significant medical and societal consequences. Global blood supplies are in perennially short supply, particularly in low-income countries — a situation bound to become even more dire thanks to rapidly aging populations. Generally speaking, blood groups are determined by the presence of A and B antigens on red blood cells. Group O types don’t have either of these antigens. Health practitioners have to be extremely careful when it comes to blood types, since transfusing the wrong one could trigger the immune system to attack the new blood cells, which can be fatal. Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Lund University in Sweden, who’ve been investigating a solution, discovered that specific enzymes produced by common gut bacteria were able to remove both A and B antigens, potentially paving the way to ensure a steady …

New study reveals how anger can impair blood vessel function

New study reveals how anger can impair blood vessel function

Published by José

New research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has shown that even a brief episode of anger, triggered by recalling past experiences, can hinder the ability of blood vessels to relax — a critical factor for maintaining healthy blood flow. The study highlights how acute emotional responses can have immediate physiological effects, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is a major underlying cause of cardiovascular complications, characterized by the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup can lead to severe cardiovascular problems including heart attacks and strokes. Understanding early triggers and contributing factors to this disease is crucial for developing preventive and therapeutic strategies. Since the late 1950s, studies have suggested that certain behavioral patterns, particularly those categorized as Type A — competitive, ambitious, and aggressive — are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events. This has spurred interest in how specific emotional responses, such as anger, anxiety, and sadness, might directly affect cardiovascular health. Anger, in particular, has been identified …

Best blood pressure monitors for at-home use

Best blood pressure monitors for at-home use

Published by skeptic

Best for: atrial fibrillation monitoring The Omron M7 Intelli IT blood pressure monitor is a game-changer for people who want to keep an eye on undetected atrial fibrillation, as well as their blood pressure. With its near-accurate AFib detection function, you can easily keep an eye on any changes to your heart health.  In AFib mode, the device takes three blood pressure readings and calculates the average, providing a realistic picture of your morning and evening blood pressure trends over time. If irregular heartbeats are detected on multiple occasions, the AFib indicator flashes up, alerting you to a potential finding – though, of course, it’s not a clinical diagnosis, so you’ll need to then consult your doctor.  Like other previous Omron models, the M7 Intelli IT can automatically transfer blood pressure readings to your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing users to track their progress over time using the Omron Connect app. You can even integrate it with Alexa for easy access to your latest blood pressure readings. Our only gripe with this product is the size …