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Marcela Lemos
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Recent Articles by Marcela Lemos

Epithelial Cells in Urine: What It Means

Epithelial cells in urine often reflect normal shedding along the urinary tract and are usually not clinically relevant. Cell type can suggest the source, such as squamous cells from collection contamination. Counts (few/some/many), bacteria or mucus, and abnormal shapes may signal a UTI or kidney issues.

Diseases and Conditions

Macrocytosis: Symptoms, Causes & What to Do

Macrocytosis is enlarged red blood cells found on a CBC, often tied to high MCV. It may relate to vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, megaloblastic anemia, alcohol use, hypothyroidism, medications, or bone marrow changes. Symptoms can include fatigue, paleness, shortness of breath, tingling, diarrhea, and mouth sores.

Diseases and Conditions

Ascariasis: Symptoms, Transmission & Treatment

Ascariasis is a roundworm infection that can cause abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, and worms in stool. Covers stool testing, how eggs spread via contaminated food, water, or soil, and treatment with albendazole or mebendazole, plus hygiene steps to prevent reinfection.

Diseases and Conditions

Candida Auris: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Candida auris is a drug-resistant fungus that can cause severe hospital-acquired infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems. It spreads through contact and contaminated surfaces, is hard to diagnose, requires specialized testing, and often needs advanced antifungal treatment.

Diabetes

Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) Test: What It Tests & Normal Levels

The HBA1C test measures average blood glucose over three months by analyzing sugar bound to hemoglobin. It is a key tool for diagnosing prediabetes and diabetes, with standard normal levels below 5.7%. Because red blood cells live for 120 days, this test tracks treatment efficacy and health trends without fasting.

Tests

Hemoglobin Electrophoresis: Indications for Testing & How to Interpret Results

Hemoglobin electrophoresis is a blood test that identifies variant hemoglobins to help diagnose sickle cell anemia, hemoglobin C disease, and thalassemia. This overview explains how it’s done, when it’s ordered, and how age-based HbF, HbA1, and HbA2 results are interpreted, including newborn screening patterns.

Cold & Flu

Influenza A: Symptoms, Treatment & How to Protect Yourself

Influenza A is a contagious viral infection caused by H1N1 or H3N2, often with sudden, intense symptoms. Learn how it spreads, common signs, treatment options including antivirals, and who should get the yearly flu vaccine to prevent serious complications.

Diseases and Conditions

Pterygium: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Pterygium is a growth of conjunctival tissue toward the cornea that can cause irritation, tearing, dryness, light sensitivity, and blurred or double vision. This guide covers diagnosis by an ophthalmologist, common causes like UV exposure, dust, and wind, and treatments from tears to surgery.

Diseases and Conditions

Rh Factor: What It Is and What RH Positive & Negative Mean

The Rh factor is a protein on red blood cells used to classify blood as positive or negative. Although it does not impact daily health, determining this status is essential during pregnancy and transfusions to prevent severe complications caused by blood incompatibility, such as hemolytic anemia.

First Aid

Leptospirosis: Symptoms, Causes, Transmission & Treatment

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through contact with contaminated water or animal urine. Learn the main symptoms, how the disease is diagnosed, available treatments, and essential prevention steps to reduce the risk of severe complications.

Diseases and Conditions

Anisocytosis. What It Means, How It's Identified & Causes

Anisocytosis is a variation in red blood cell size often identified through the RDW value on a CBC. Learn what an RDW above 14 percent means, common causes like anemia or nutritional deficiencies, and how mild anisocytosis is evaluated to guide proper medical assessment.

Tests

ALT Blood Test: U.S. Normal Range & What High Levels Mean

The AST blood test measures aspartate aminotransferase levels to evaluate liver health and detect conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or medication-related damage. Learn what normal and high results mean, when the test is ordered, and how abnormal levels are treated.

Tests

Bilirubin in Urine: 11 Causes, Symptoms & What to Do

Bilirubin in urine is an abnormal finding that often signals liver or bile duct problems, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones, or cholestasis. It can cause dark urine, jaundice, and itching, and treatment depends on addressing the underlying condition to restore normal bile flow.

Tests

Blood Test Results: How to Read & Normal Levels

Blood test results help identify conditions like anemia, infections, thyroid disorders, diabetes, and more. Learn what common tests such as CBC, TSH, CRP, PSA, glucose, and D-dimer can detect, which values are normal, and how results are typically interpreted by doctors.

Diseases and Conditions

Q Fever: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Causes & Treatment

Q fever is a bacterial infection caused by Coxiella burnetii, transmitted through inhaling contaminated dust from animals like cows, goats, and sheep. Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches, with severe cases leading to endocard.