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What is the normal level of PTH in the blood?

PTH helps regulate the amount of phosphorus and calcium in the blood, according to WebMD. Lower-than-normal levels of PTH are caused by cancer, low magnesium levels, excess vitamin D intake and autoimmune diseases, reports MedlinePlus. Radiation and surgical trauma to the parathyroid glands also cause lower-than-normal PTH levels in some people. An elevated PTH level is associated with chronic kidney disease, calcium deficiency, parathyroid tumors and swelling of the parathyroid glands. Some women who are pregnant or breastfeeding have elevated PTH levels, but this is not a common occurrence.

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What are some major causes of dark urine?

Urine removes waste products and excess water from the body. The urine color mainly depends on the concentration. Dark urine is an indication that a person is not drinking enough fluid. An insufficient amount of water makes the body to hold water, making the urine becomes darker and concentrated. Pale urine is an indication of a sufficient amount of water in the body, states WebMD.\nTaking drugs such as metronidazole, methocarbamol, primaquine and chloroquine can cause dark urine. Other causes include kidney and liver disorders, muscle injury due to exercise and eating aloe, rhubarb or beans i..

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Is eye lens replacement surgery painful?

Eye lens replacement involves removing an eye lens affected by cataracts and/or nearsightedness and replacing it with an intraocular lens implant, states WebMD. After surgery, vision usually improves within a few days, though patients may experience itching and mild discomfort, notes Mayo Clinic. To prevent infection and control eye pressure, a doctor may prescribe eye drops or other medication. Patients generally recover completely within eight weeks, states Mayo Clinic.

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What are the symptoms of red dye allergy?

According to AllergySymptomsX.com, red dye is found in red candies, cereals, chocolates, bubble gum, toothpaste, mouthwash and cough syrup. The coloring is also included in such non-edibles as cosmetics and shampoos.\n\nRed dye may be referred to as carmine, carminic acid and crimson lake on food listings. Allergic reactions to insect-based red dyes, such as carmine, can result in anaphylaxis, whereas red dye colors, such as annatto, which comes from the achiote tree, can produce allergic responses that involve the digestive tract, respiration or the skin. Tattoos using red dyes can be also be..

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What are the uses of calculating a person's body mass index?

A BMI below 18.5 indicates the patient is underweight; persons with a BMI ranging from 18.5 to 24.9 are considered to be of ideal weight. Those with a BMI ranging from 25.0 to 29.9 are classified as overweight, while a body mass index 30.0 or greater indicates obesity, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.\nThe same standard weight categories are used to interpret the body mass index of adult women and men of all ages. However, since girls and boys mature at different rates, BMI is evaluated differently in children and teens.\nAs of 2015, an estimated 1.5 billion adults over..

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Why have my toenails split?

Nails that split in a horizontal direction are referred to as onychoschizia, while onychorrhexis is longitudinal splitting of nails. These conditions are related to brittle nails. Causes, such as repeated exposure to harsh soaps, using nail hardener and strong nail polish remover, can lead to brittle nails that split, notes the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Split toenails can also be a symptom of medical conditions, such as fungal infections, psoriasis, hypothyroidism and nutritional deficiencies, according to Foot Vitals.

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How do you treat bone cancer?

The most common treatment for bone cancer is surgery. The surgeon takes out the whole tumor leaving negative margins, which means the surgeon takes out enough tissue around the tumor so that no cancer cells remain along the border or edge of the remaining tissue. In some cases, the surgeon may try to limit the amount of healthy tissue he takes out with the cancerous parts, states the National Cancer Institute.\nChemotherapy refers to the use of anticancer drugs to kill the cells that lead to cancer. With bone cancer, patients generally get a mixture of anticancer drugs. Radiation therapy, also..

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What cognitive test is used to diagnose dementia?

While the mini-mental state test is the most commonly known and widely used test, other cognitive tests used to diagnose dementia include the abbreviated mental test score, the 6-CIT and the memory impairment screen, explains Sheehan in a study published in Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders. The abbreviated mental test score is a short exam of a patient's concentration, recall and attention skills. The 6-CIT tests the patient's memory skills regarding the correct month and year, remembering a given address and stating the months of the year in reverse order.\nDementia is..

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What are some good fibromyalgia support groups?

In addition to seeking out a support group that provides a safe and encouraging environment in which to share the frustrations of living with fibromyalgia, minimizing stress, managing emotions and changing perceptions about challenging situations in daily life are crucial in managing the condition’s symptoms, explains WebMD. Stress may trigger the symptoms of anxiety, depression, insomnia and fatigue in individuals with fibromyalgia. Improving communication skills to better express difficult emotions and setting personal limits on commitments to others are helpful ways that support fibromyal..

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What are the benefits of using the Braden Scale?

The Braden Scale has six parameters that determine if a patient is at risk for bed sores, says the Annals of Long Term Care. They are sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility and nutrition. Friction/shear is the last category. The score can range from 6 to 23, according to WoundRounds.\nA patient who is at risk has a score of between 15 and 18, says WoundRounds. Caregivers must turn this patient regularly and encourage her to be as active as possible. Caregivers must protect her heels and manage her exposure to moisture and friction or shear.\nA score of between 13 and 14 means the pat..

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