Health Library

Use of 'the Pill' Tied to Higher Risk for Rare Brain Cancer THURSDAY, Jan. 22, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The risk for developing a rare form of brain cancer known as glioma appears to go up with long-term use of hormonal contraceptives such as the Pill, new Danish research suggests. Women under 50 with a glioma "were 90 percent more likely to have been using hormonal contraceptives for five years or more, compared with women from the general population with no history of brain tumor," said study leader D...

Use of Male IVF Procedure Doubled in the Past Decade TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Although use of an IVF treatment for male infertility, known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), has doubled in the past decade, the procedure is not always associated with better outcomes, according to a new study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. The procedure, which was introduced in 1992, made it possible for man...

Ulcer Bacteria Tied to Lower Multiple Sclerosis Risk in Women TUESDAY, Jan. 20, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Women who harbor the stomach bacteria Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori ) may be less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study suggests. In the study, researchers found that among women with MS -- an often disabling disease of the central nervous system -- 14 percent had evidence of past infection with H. pylori . But 22 percent of healthy women in the study had evidence of a previous H...

U.S. Painkiller Abuse 'Epidemic' May Be Declining, Study Says WEDNESDAY, Jan. 14, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. "epidemic" of prescription-painkiller abuse may be starting to reverse course, a new study suggests. Experts said the findings, published Jan. 15 in the New England Journal of Medicine , are welcome news. The decline suggests that recent laws and prescribing guidelines aimed at preventing painkiller abuse are working to some degree. But researchers also found a disturbing trend: Heroin abu...

U.S. Taxpayers Burdened by Smoking-Related Ills THURSDAY, Dec. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The health care costs of cigarette smoking in the United States are as much as $170 billion a year, and taxpayers pick up the tab for nearly two-thirds of that amount, a new study says. Researchers analyzed national data collected between 2004 and 2010 and found that smoking is linked to $45 billion in Medicare spending per year, nearly $40 billion in Medicaid spending per year, and nearly $24 billion in spending...

U.S. Doctors Cutting Back on Painkiller Prescriptions: Study MONDAY, Dec. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Nine out of 10 primary care doctors in the United States are concerned about prescription drug abuse in their communities, a new study finds. And, nearly half of the physicians surveyed said they were less likely to prescribe powerful painkillers than they were just a year ago. Researchers surveyed 580 internists, family doctors and general practitioners across the country. They found that 85 percent of...

Use Your Space Heater Safely SUNDAY, Dec. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The arrival of cold weather means many people are using space heaters to help keep their homes warm. The devices are safe when used properly, but misuse can result in burns and fires. Each year, space heaters cause more than 25,000 residential fires and more than 300 deaths, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports. Also, more than 6,000 Americans a year receive emergency room care for space heater-related burns. "Bitter co...

U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Drops to New Low: CDC WEDNESDAY, Nov. 26, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Fewer American adults are smoking cigarettes than ever, health officials said. In fact, the rate of cigarette smoking has dropped from about 21 percent in 2005 to 18 percent in 2013. That means the number of cigarette smokers dropped from 45.1 million to 42.1 million, despite the increasing population, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However,"we still have a long way to go, ...

U.S. Proposes Greater Public Access to Data From Clinical Trials THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Two U.S. government agencies have proposed new rules that will make it easier for everyone to know whether a clinical trial was successful or not. The proposed changes would expand the number of trials that are required to publish summaries of their results to ClinicalTrials.gov -- a publicly accessible database, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of...

U.S. Seniors' Health Poorest, Global Survey Shows WEDNESDAY, Nov. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Seniors in America have more chronic health problems and take more medications than seniors in 10 other industrialized countries do, according to a new global survey. The United States also stood out among the 11 nations surveyed by The Commonwealth Fund for having more seniors struggling to get and afford the health care they need. Eighty-seven percent of U.S. adults who are 65 and older suffer from at least ...

U.S. School Meal Rules Might Work Against Good Nutrition, Study Says WEDNESDAY, Nov. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- New federal mandates controlling the types of meals served at U.S. schools may actually promote eating habits tied to obesity and diabetes, a new study suggests. Although it's now required that school meals contain less fat and more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, there are no rules on added sugar or extra carbohydrates, researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health e...

Undiagnosed Sleep Problems May Be Common Among Firefighters THURSDAY, Nov. 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, insomnia, shift work disorder and restless leg syndrome are common among firefighters, new research shows. These conditions are linked with a higher risk for car accidents, a research team from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston suggests. Firefighters with sleep disorders are also more likely to have chronic health issues, such as heart disease and diabetes. Ho...

U.S. Prices Soaring for Some Generic Drugs, Experts Say WEDNESDAY, Nov. 12, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Market forces are dramatically driving up the cost of some generic drugs, prompting U.S. investigations into the pricing of what should be cheap alternatives to brand-name medications. Generics that should cost pennies per dose have undergone radical increases in price in recent years, said Dr. Aaron Kesselheim, author of a new commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine , and director of the Progr...

Universal Helmet Laws May Help Save Young Motorcyclists WEDNESDAY, Oct. 29, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A new study suggests that state laws requiring "universal" motorcycle helmet use -- instead of helmet laws just for certain ages -- may lower the rates of traumatic brain injuries in young riders. Traumatic brain injuries are "the biggest burden in trauma care, so we wanted to see whether having universal helmet laws versus age-specific helmet laws really made a difference in the younger population," stu...

U.S. Ranks Last Among Wealthy Nations in Access to Health Care WEDNESDAY, Oct. 22, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The U.S. health care system ranks dead last compared to other industrialized nations when it comes to affordability and patient access, according to a new survey. The 2013 survey of the American health care landscape was conducted by the Commonwealth Fund just prior to the full implementation of the Obama administration's Affordable Care Act (ACA). "I would say that we found two things that really...

Use Chia Seeds With Caution, Researcher Warns TUESDAY, Oct. 21, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Despite potential health benefits, chia seeds may pose a risk if they are not consumed properly, according to new research. The tiny, oval seeds -- a rich source of fiber, protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids -- should not be eaten in their dry, raw form, experts cautioned. This is particularly true for people with a history of swallowing problems or a constricted esophagus, the researchers said. "Chia seed...

Upbeat Walking Style Might Lift Your Mood FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The way you walk can affect your mood, according to a new study. Previous research has shown that depressed people move differently from happy people, according to study co-author Nikolaus Troje, a senior fellow at the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. "It is not surprising that our mood, the way we feel, affects how we walk, but we want to see whether the way we move also affects how we feel," he said in an inst...

U.S. Kids Use ADHD Meds More During School Year FRIDAY, Oct. 17, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- American children's use of stimulant medications is 30 percent higher during the school year than in the summer, a new study indicates. The findings suggest that many children may use stimulants to help them meet academic demands, according to the researchers. Stimulant medications improve concentration and help manage symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They are the most widel...

U.S. Health Officials Resist Ban on Travel From West Africa THURSDAY, Oct. 16, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- In the face of blistering criticism from a Congressional oversight committee, top U.S. health officials defended on Thursday their opposition to a ban on travelers from West African nations fighting Ebola. Legislators also asked tough questions about health officials' response to the first case of Ebola diagnosed in America, particularly since two intensive-care nurses who cared for that first patient...

Urinary Prosthetic Device for Women Approved TUESDAY, Oct. 14, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- A device to help women with a condition called impaired detrusor contractility (IDC), in which they can't contract bladder muscles needed to excrete urine, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. IDC can be caused by a neurologic problem, stroke or spinal cord injury, the FDA explained in a news release. The InFlow Intraurethral Valve-Pump contains four components, each of which must be changed af...

U.S. Troops Arrive in Ebola-Ravaged Liberia FRIDAY, Oct. 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. troops have arrived in the beleaguered nation of Liberia, the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Their first mission: to set up an isolation center for doctors and other health-care workers infected with the deadly disease. Six U.S. military planes arrived Thursday, and the United States may eventually send as many as 4,000 troops to help combat the viral outbreak that has already claimed more than 4,...

U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High of Nearly 79 Years: CDC WEDNESDAY, Oct. 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Average life expectancy in the United States reached an all-time high of 78.8 years in 2012, federal officials reported Wednesday. The increased life expectancy is likely due to Americans living healthier lifestyles, according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Americans are living longer and are more aware of preventing chronic diseases," said the report's lea...

U.S. Traffic Accidents Send 2.5 Million to ERs Each Year, CDC Says TUESDAY, Oct. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Road crash injuries sent more than 2.5 million Americans to emergency rooms in 2012. And, nearly 200,000 were hospitalized due to motor vehicle collisions, a new federal government report says. That means about 7,000 people went to the emergency department every day because of motor vehicle crash injuries in 2012, according to Ileana Arias, principal deputy director for the U.S. Centers for Disea...

Using Social Media to Manage Your Moods? TUESDAY, Oct. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Misery loves company, and apparently social media users are no exception. When people are feeling low, they're likely to try to make themselves feel better by searching social networking sites for people who are doing even worse, Ohio State University researchers report. Their study included 168 college students who used a social networking site when they were in a good mood and again when they were in a bad mood. When in...

Ultrafast Computed Tomography (Ultrafast CT Scan) (Ultrafast CT, Electron-Beam Computed Tomography, EBCT, Cine CT Scan) Procedure overview Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images (often called slices) of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than standard X-rays. In standard ...

Uniparental Disomy: Prader-Willi Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome What is uniparental disomy? Normally, we inherit one copy of each chromosome pair from our biological mother, and the other copy of the chromosome pair from our biological father. This is called paternal uniparental disomy. Uniparental disomy refers to the situation in which two copies of a chromosome come from the same parent, instead of one copy coming from the mother, and one copy coming from the father. Angelman syndrome (AS) and Prader-Wi...

Urinary Incontinence What is urinary incontinence (UI)? Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of urine control, or the inability to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. According to the National Association for Continence, approximately 25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence. UI can strike at any age. Women over age 50 are the most likely to develop UI. Urinary incontinence may be a temporary condition, resulting from an underlying medical condition. I...

Understanding Bone Metastases When Cancer Spreads to the Bones Cancer that has developed in one place can spread and invade other parts of the body. The process of spreading is called metastasizing. If a tumor spreads to the bone, it is called bone metastasis. Cancer cells that have metastasized to the bone can damage the bone and cause symptoms. Various treatments are available to control the symptoms and the spread of bone metastases. To better comprehend what happens in metastasis, it helps to unders...

Understanding Your Stage of Ovarian Cancer The stage of your cancer is a way doctors describe to what extent the cancer has spread. The stage of ovarian cancer is usually determined after surgery, by examining the removed tissue in the pathology lab. This is known as "surgically staging" the ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is staged using the AJCC and FIGO system. AJCC stands for American Joint Committee on Cancer. FIGO stands for International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. These two staging s...

Understanding Your Stage of Endometrial Cancer Stage is the word doctors use to describe where the tumor is in your body and how far the cancer has spread. The stage defines the location or locations of the cancer. Doctors use the stage to describe what was found in and around the uterus during surgery. Endometrial cancer is usually staged after surgery ("surgically staged"), by examining the removed uterus and lymph nodes in the pathology lab. The most commonly used systems to stage endometrial cancer ...

U.S. Lung Cancer Rates Falling Overall, Study Finds MONDAY, Aug. 11, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Overall lung cancer rates are dropping, according to a new analysis of nearly a half million Americans with lung cancer. But, the news wasn't all good -- the study also found that the rates of certain types of lung cancer are increasing, according to researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Over nearly three decades, the overall lung cancer rate has dropped approximately 12 percent, said the s...

U.S. Hospitals See Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts THURSDAY, Aug. 7, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Drug-related suicide attempts in the United States increased over a recent six-year period, with dramatic increases seen among young and middle-aged adults, health officials reported Thursday. Overall, suicide attempts involving prescription medications and other drugs jumped by 51 percent among people 12 and older between 2005 and 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admi...

Unwed Parents Should Tie the Knot Before Child Turns 3: Study THURSDAY, July 3, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Unwed parents who plan to get married should do it before their child is 3 so they can create the strongest possible bond, a new study suggests. It's widely believed that unwed parents are most receptive to marriage immediately after their baby's birth, a period that some refer to as the "magic moment." "It turns out the 'magic moment' lasts longer than conventional wisdom has held. And for some subg...

Use Your Medications Wisely You don't have to look past your medicine chest to find prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that can make you feel better, improve your health, and even save your life. We use more medications, supplements, and herbal therapies today than ever. A survey found 4 out of 5 U.S. adults take at least 1 medication each week. More than 1 in 3 adults takes 5 or more medications. That's no surprise when you think of what medications can do. They help treat chronic disease...

Understanding Joint Pain Sprained ankles and wrists, arthritic knees and hips, and torn rotator cuffs all have one thing in common: they result in joint pain. The usual causes of joint pain are over use, sprains, fractures, and arthritis. Becoming familiar with the usual causes and symptoms of joint pain can help you seek appropriate treatment and ongoing care, if necessary. Here are several medical conditions that can cause joint pain. Arthritis Persistent joint pain, swelling, and limited range of mot...

Understanding Diuretics Lifestyle changes aren't always enough to lower high blood pressure. If so, prescription medicine may be the next step. According to the American Heart Association, if your systolic blood pressure (top number) is 140 or greater, your doctor may prescribe medication along with the lifestyle changes. Many different types of blood pressure medications are available. Even so, a diuretic, or water pill, may be among the first options that your doctor recommends. The diuretics most com...

 

U.S. Health Snapshots: Insurance Coverage Expands, but Gaps Remain THURSDAY, June 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Two new U.S. government reports provide a statistical snapshot of health and health insurance coverage in 2013, before new coverage options took effect under the Affordable Care Act. On a positive note, fewer Americans were uninsured in 2013 than in 2010 -- 14.4 percent versus 16 percent, respectively. But sharp coverage gaps remained depending on factors like age, race or ethnicity and where p...

Underage Binge Drinkers Grab the Hard Stuff, Survey Finds FRIDAY, June 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Hard liquor, especially vodka, is chosen by nearly half of all underage binge drinkers in the United States, a new study finds. Beer is used in less than one-third of binge-drinking episodes, according to the survey of teens and young adults, aged 13 to 20. And most binge-drinking episodes involve a relatively small number of brands, the study found. Researchers asked the survey respondents about their dr...

U.S. Diabetes Cases Jump to 29 Million: CDC TUESDAY, June 10, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- The number of Americans with diabetes rose from 26 million in 2010 to 29 million -- 9 percent of the population -- in 2012, a new federal government study finds. One in every four people with diabetes does not even realize it, according to the report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 86 million American adults -- more than one-third of adults -- have what doctors call "prediabetes. " Th...

Use Your 'ABCDE' to Spot Deadly Skin Cancer SUNDAY, June 8, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- As pools and beaches beckon this summer, be sure to protect your skin against the sun's rays and remember that early detection is the best way to prevent and successfully treat the deadly skin cancer melanoma. The "ABCDE" method of identifying the disease remains highly effective, according to experts at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. The medical center is where the ABCDEs for melanoma detection were devel...

Use Prescription Painkillers Safely FRIDAY, June 6, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- Powerful prescription painkillers known as opioids are often involved in accidental overdoses, so experts offer tips on how to take these highly addictive medications safely. "Prescription painkiller misuse is a growing epidemic. However, most people who abuse these drugs are struggling with an addiction they never intended to have," said John Ulczycki, vice president of strategic initiatives at the National Safety Council. "Th...

Ultrasonido de seno (Ultrasonografía de seno, Sonograma de seno, Ultrasonido mamográfico, Sonomamografía, Mamografía por ultrasonido) Descripción general del procedimiento ¿Qué es el ultrasonido de seno? El ultrasonido de seno es un procedimiento no invasivo (no se perfora la piel) que se utiliza para evaluar los senos. La tecnología de ultrasonido permite la visualización rápida del tejido mamario. El ultrasonido también se puede utilizar para evaluar el flujo sanguíneo a las zonas dentro de los senos....

Uroflujometría (Estudios del flujo de orina, Prueba de flujo de orina, Estudios urodinámicos) Descripción general del procedimiento ¿Qué es la uroflujometría? La uroflujometría es un procedimiento de detección de diagnóstico sencillo que se utiliza para calcular la velocidad de flujo de orina durante un tiempo. La prueba no es invasiva (no se perfora la piel) y se puede utilizar para evaluar la función de la vejiga y del esfínter. La uroflujometría se realiza mientras una persona orina en un embudo espe...

Ultrasonido abdominal (Ultrasonografía abdominal, Sonografía abdominal, Ecografía abdominal) Descripción general del procedimiento El ultrasonido abdominal es un procedimiento no invasivo (no se perfora la piel) que se utiliza para evaluar los órganos y estructuras dentro del abdomen, tales como el hígado, la vesícula biliar, el páncreas, los conductos biliares, bazo y la aorta abdominal. La tecnología de ultrasonido permite una rápida visualización de los órganos y estructuras abdominales desde fuera d...

Uterine Artery Embolization Procedure overview What is uterine artery embolization? Uterine artery embolization (UAE) is a procedure that offers an alternative to traditional surgical removal of uterine fibroids. The procedure may also be referred to as uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). Uterine artery embolization shrinks fibroids by blocking off their blood supply. The blood supply is blocked by injecting very small particles into the arteries that supply the fibroids. The particles stick to the vess...

Uroflowmetry (Urine Flow Studies, Urine Flow Test, Urodynamic Studies) Procedure overview What is uroflowmetry? Uroflowmetry is a simple, diagnostic screening procedure used to calculate the flow rate of urine over time. The test is noninvasive (the skin is not pierced), and may be used to assess bladder and sphincter function. Uroflowmetry is performed by having a person urinate into a special funnel that is connected to a measuring instrument. The measuring instrument calculates the amount of urine, r...

Upper Gastrointestinal Series (UGI, Upper GI Series, GI Series, Upper Gastrointestinal Tract X-ray) Procedure overview What is an upper gastrointestinal series? An upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) is a radiographic (X-ray) examination of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of the small intestine) are made visible on X-ray film by a liquid suspension. This liquid suspension may be barium or a water-soluble contrast. If only the pharynx (back of mouth...

Ureterocele and Ureteral Duplication What is a ureterocele? A ureterocele involves the kidney, ureter, and bladder. A normal ureter is one that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder. When a child has a ureterocele, the portion of the ureter closest to the bladder becomes enlarged because the ureter opening is very tiny and obstructs urine outflow. As the urine flow is obstructed, urine backs up in the ureter tube. What is ureteral duplication? Children who have a ureterocele may also have an u...

Urinary Tract Infections What are urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Urinary tract infections describe a health problem that results from a bacterial infection along the urinary tract. The urinary tract consists of two kidneys that remove liquid waste from the blood in the form of urine. Two narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The urine is stored in the bladder (a triangle-shaped, hollow organ). When the bladder is emptied, the urine travels through a tube called the u...

Urinary Incontinence What is urinary incontinence (enuresis)? Urinary incontinence (enuresis) is the medical term for bedwetting. Incontinence is accidental or intentional urination in children who are at an age where they should be able to have control of their bladders. Girls usually obtain bladder control before boys. Incontinence may be diagnosed in girls older than age 5 and in boys who are older than age 6 who are still having urinary control problems. There are different types of bedwetting that ...

Undescended Testes (Cryptorchidism) What is cryptorchidism (undescended testes)? Cryptorchidism (or undescended testes) is a condition seen in newborns when one or both of the male testes have not passed down into the scrotal sac. Ten percent of cases are bilateral (involve both testes). Cryptorchidism is more commonly seen in premature males because the testes do not descend from the abdomen to the scrotal sac until the seventh month of fetal development. What causes undescended testes? Undescended tes...

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI or Common Cold) What is an upper respiratory infection (URI)? An upper respiratory infection (URI), also known as the common cold, is one of the most common illnesses, leading to more doctor visits and absences from school and work than any other illness every year. It is estimated that during a one-year period, people in the U.S. will suffer one billion colds. Caused by a virus that inflames the membranes in the lining of the nose and throat, colds can be the result of ...

Upper Respiratory Disorders Many different upper respiratory disorders require clinical care by a doctor or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some of the conditions, for which we have provided a brief overview. Upper Respiratory Infection (URI, or Common Cold) Sinusitis Allergic Rhinitis Stridor Congenital Laryngeal Stridor / Laryngomalacia Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis Influenza (Flu) Epiglottitis Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Croup

Using a Breast Pump Health considerations when using a breast pump Breast milk is not sterile and its anti-infective properties hinder the growth of bacteria. Still, you do not want to introduce "outside" bacteria unnecessarily when getting ready to pump, during the actual pumping session, or when storing milk or transporting milk. To minimize the risk of infection, consider the following: Always wash and rinse your hands thoroughly before handling pump parts, your breasts, or the milk collection bottle...

Umbilical Cord Care The umbilical cord is the baby's lifeline to the mother during pregnancy. However, it is no longer needed once the baby is born. Within a few minutes after birth, the cord is clamped and cut close to the navel. The clamp helps stop bleeding from the three blood vessels in the umbilical cord--two arteries and one vein. A medication is sometimes applied to the cord as part of a baby's first care. This may be a purple dye or another type of antiseptic. However, this practice has been re...

Ultrasound in Pregnancy What is an ultrasound? An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. A screening ultrasound is sometimes done during the course of a pregnancy to monitor normal fetal growth and verify the due date. Ultrasounds may be performed at various times throughout pregnancy for different reasons: In the first trimester: To establish the dates of a pregnancy To determine the number of fetuses and identify place...

Urinary Tract and Kidney Infections A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common medical complication of pregnancy. Unless treated, a UTI can cause serious problems in pregnancy. Normal urine is sterile. It contains fluids, salts, and waste products, but is free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The tissues of the bladder are isolated from urine and toxic substances by a coating that discourages bacteria from attaching and growing on the bladder wall. The main parts of the urinary tract are: Two kidn...

Uses of Genetic Testing What are the uses of genetic testing which may be important for me to know? Diagnostic testing Diagnostic testing is used to identify or confirm the diagnosis of a disease or condition in a person or a family. Diagnostic testing gives a "yes" or "no" answer in most cases. It is sometimes helpful in determining the course of a disease and the choice of treatment. Examples of diagnostic testing include chromosome studies, direct DNA studies, and biochemical genetic testing. Predict...