Health

Bone Marrow Transplants: Sources of Stem Cells
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Researchers realized in the late 1980s that stem cells are not only found in bone marrow, but also in the bloodstream. When stem cells are collected from the bloodstream, they are called peripheral blood stem cells.

Bone Marrow Transplants: The Process, Recovery
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
After the transplant, it takes two to four weeks for engraftment - the process by which the new stem cells find their way to the bone marrow space and begin producing blood cells.

Bone Marrow Transplants: Treating a Spectrum of Diseases
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Each year, bone marrow transplants give patients a chance to beat diseases once believed to have no cure. Although the first successful bone marrow transplant didn't take place until 1968, the discovery of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)

The Hazards Of Medical Gases
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The popping sounds from the oxygen concentrator roused the elderly man from his sleep as fire engulfed his bed. With the help of his young granddaughter who was caring for him, the invalid managed to escape before two of the six high-pressure oxygen

Controlling GHB Use
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
To curb GHB production, FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations has participated in numerous investigations and prosecutions related to the drug's illegal manufacture and distribution. So far, the government has won more than 33 GHB-related convictions.

GHB: Accidental Overdose Resulting In Seizures, Coma or Death
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
GHB was first synthesized in 1960 and, before its harmful potential became known, was sold at health food stores as a dietary supplement. In the '80s, GHB was popular among bodybuilders because of its supposed ability to release a growth hormone

Medical Milestones
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Take a look back to see how far the art of healing has progressed from the days when barbers often did double duty as surgeons and raging epidemics killed huge segments of the population.

Life Support: Current Use
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Today, as many as 1.5 million Americans a year use ventilators, according to the June 1998 issue of Respiratory Care, a journal of the American Association for Respiratory Care.

Life Support: When Machines Do the Breathing
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Like the iron lungs of the past, ventilators take over for the lungs in seriously ill or injured patients. But, unlike the past, today's devices are much smaller and many can be used in the home.

X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan : Radiation as Healer
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
While healthy people try to avoid extra doses of radiation, patients with many different kinds of cancer can turn the cell-destroying property of radiation to their benefit. According to the National Cancer Institute, at least half of cancer patients

X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan : Reasonable Risk
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Because x-rays are a type of radiation, patients sometimes express concerns that the test may harm them somehow, perhaps increase their risk of cancer. It's true that overexposure to x-rays can damage or destroy living tissue, potentially causing skin

X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan Explained
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
X-rays aren't the only tools for seeing past the skin. Modern medicine has myriad choices for diagnosing problems from broken bones to brain tumors. Because x-rays are a type of radiation, patients sometimes express concerns that the test may harm them

Surgery: Procedures and Options
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Thousands of Americans face surgery each year, often with fear and doubts about whether the right step is being taken. And not knowing what's involved may mean putting yourself through as much grief as the procedure intends to do away with.

Medical Emergencies on a Plane : Medical Minimum
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Most U.S. airlines carry little more than the medical equipment currently required by FAA: one to four first-aid kits, depending on the number of passengers, and one medical kit per aircraft. Each first-aid kit must be accessible to the flight attendants

Medical Emergencies on a Plane
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
If you suffer a medical emergency at 40,000 feet, your survival may hang on whether the plane is carrying the right medical equipment. Along with neurological problems such as strokes and seizures, heart-related problems rank among the most common types

Dangers of Lead : Lead Sources
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
FDA has established maximum levels for leachable lead in ceramicware, and pieces that exceed these levels are subject to recall or other agency enforcement action. The levels are based on how frequently a piece of ceramicware is used, the type

Lead Paint, Occupational Hazards, Lead in Ceramicware
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
While a child's chronic exposure to relatively low lead levels may result in learning or behavioral problems, Wykoff says that 'higher levels of exposure can be associated with anemia and changes in kidney function, as well as significant changes

Dangers of Lead
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Many battles have been fought to get rid of lead products that can poison people. But the lead war isn't over yet. Lead paint abounds in older housing. The deteriorating paint exposes youngsters indoors to lead-laden dust and paint chips and outdoors

Telemedicine Benefits and Obstacles
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Telemedicine advocates believe the technology can make a critical difference in health-care delivery in rural communities, where access to specialized care is often sporadic and people may hesitate to travel long distances to see a doctor.

Telemedicine
by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Putting television and medicine together used to mean nothing more than a weekly dose of Dr. Kildare. But video cameras, cable hookups, and computers can now help patients and doctors get medical advice from specialists all over the country.