Healthy Body

Blood pressure measures the force of blood pushing against your artery walls. A normal reading is below 120/80 mm Hg. The top number (systolic) measures pressure when your heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic) measures pressure when your heart rests between beats. Most adults should aim for readings consistently under 120/80. What Are Good Blood … Read more

Leukemia can increase the risk of blood clots, but the level of risk depends heavily on the specific type of leukemia you have. For most people with chronic leukemias, the risk is modest. For those with acute forms, especially acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), the risk of dangerous clotting events is much higher and requires immediate … Read more

Blood plasma is the liquid part of your blood, making up about 55% of its total volume. It is mostly water — about 92% — but the remaining 8% is what does the real work. That 8% contains hundreds of different proteins, essential salts like sodium and potassium, nutrients, hormones, and waste products. Think of … Read more

Hemoglobin is the protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to every part of your body. It also picks up carbon dioxide and brings it back to your lungs so you can breathe it out. When your hemoglobin levels are too high or too low, it signals that something in … Read more

A good blood sugar level depends on when you last ate, but for most adults without diabetes, a normal fasting level is between 70 and 99 mg/dL. Two hours after a meal, a healthy reading is under 140 mg/dL. These numbers come from the American Diabetes Association and are the standard doctors use to check … Read more

You notice more hair in your shower drain or on your pillow. You catch yourself checking your hairline in the mirror more often. These moments can feel unsettling, but knowing what to look for early makes a real difference. The early signs of balding include a receding hairline at the temples, thinning at the crown … Read more

Menopause is not a mystery. It is a biological process that happens when your ovaries stop releasing eggs and your estrogen levels drop. The average age for menopause in the United States is 51, according to the North American Menopause Society. But the transition, called perimenopause, can start 4 to 8 years earlier. You know … Read more

Your thyroid stops working when it no longer produces enough thyroid hormone to keep your body running normally. This condition is called hypothyroidism. Without enough thyroid hormone, your metabolism slows down, your energy drops, and nearly every system in your body starts to slow with it. What Exactly Happens When Your Thyroid Stops Working? Think … Read more