Blood poisoning
Blood poisoning: The medical term is “septicemia.” No matter which of these two terms-blood poisoning or septicemia-you prefer, what is meant is the same thing, namely a “general (systemic) disease that is due to the presence and the persistence of germs (pathogenic microorganisms) or their toxins in the bloodstream.” The “germs” can be bacteria (in bacteremia) or any other microscopic agent of infection capable of causing disease in humans. Another term that is very closely related to “blood poisoning” and “septicemia” is “sepsis.” “Sepsis” also refers to the presence and persistence of germs or their toxins in the blood but those germs or toxins do not need to be in the blood. They may be in other tissues of the body. Blood poisoning/septicemia and sepsis are often serious. They can sometimes be life threatening diseases calling for urgent and comprehensive care.
Read Also:
- Blood pressure
Blood pressure: The blood pressure is the pressure of the blood within the arteries. It is produced primarily by the contraction of the heart muscle. It’s measurement is recorded by two numbers. The first (systolic pressure) is measured after the heart contracts and is highest. The second (diastolic pressure) is measured before the heart contracts […]
- Blood pressure, high
Blood pressure, high: Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure is, by definition, a repeatedly elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg — a systolic pressure above 140 or a diastolic pressure above 90. Chronic hypertension is a “silent” condition. Stealthy as a cat, it can cause blood vessel changes in the back of […]
- Blood pressure, low
Blood pressure, low: Any blood pressure that is below the normal expected for an individual in a given environment. Low blood pressure is also referred to as hypotension. Low blood pressure is a relative term because the blood pressure normally varies greatly with activity, age, medications, and underlying medical conditions. Low blood pressure can result […]
- Blood sugar
Blood sugar: Blood glucose. See also: High blood sugar; Low blood sugar.
- Blood sugar, high
Blood sugar, high: An elevated level of the sugar glucose in the blood. Also called hyperglycemia. High blood sugar is a finding in a number of conditions, most notably diabetes mellitus. Elevated blood glucose leads to spillage of glucose into the urine (glucosuria) so that the urine is sugary. (The term diabetes mellitus means “sweet […]